When we started designing Buy Me a Coffee in 2017, our goal was to remove all the complexities and give creators a simple way to get paid and connect with their fans. But simple wasn't enough. Creators needed a product that was meaningful and enjoyable to use. This meant designing a payment platform that doesn't feel transactional—starting with the name itself.

Where did the idea come from? Our founders Jijo Sunny and Joseph Sunny were creators who lived on a moderate advertising income from their creative gigs. Although $500 per month is what you pay for a gym membership in San Francisco, it’s enough to make a living in many parts of the world. If it weren't for those Adsense checks, there would be no Buy Me a Coffee.

That said, advertising model and algorithms have become too unreliable to pay creators what they're worth. It is far more reliable to build a direct relationship with the audience. Buy Me a Coffee gives fans a meaningful way to express gratitude to creators. Creators can also offer exclusive content and community access for their biggest fans.

Sip sip hooray.