How a Plumber Bought His Way to Online Business Success

Overview

In 2013, Jaryd Krause was a plumber burned out by long hours, little freedom and limited income growth. Instead of struggling through yet another day under sinks, he started researching ways to earn online. After two failed side projects – a travel blog and e-commerce store – he noticed most startups flame out early. That stat sparked an idea: rather than create from zero, what if he purchased businesses already past the risky early stage?

From Plumbing to Online Ventures

Krause sold some tools, scraped together $15,000 and bought his first digital property: a membership site offering dropshipping guides. He spent nights combing through membership forums, analyzing signup rates, churn patterns and user feedback. Within months he boosted average enrollment by tweaking pricing tiers and streamlining the onboarding process. That early win gave him confidence to hunt for more opportunities.

Acquisition Strategy

Instead of shooting blind, Jaryd developed a checklist to vet candidates: steady traffic, evergreen niche, clear revenue history and room for improvement. He used online marketplaces to compare valuations, then dug into financials to confirm seller claims. Each purchase came with a plan: update content, improve site speed, refine email sequences and add new offers based on real user questions.

Systematic Growth

Once he owned a site, Jaryd avoided huge rebrands. He focused on user-first tweaks: adding how-to videos, improving navigation and adding fresh blog posts that answered top search queries. That incremental approach kept traffic stable while boosting engagement and conversions. He built standard operating procedures for content updates, customer support and marketing campaigns, so tasks could be handed to virtual assistants later – freeing him up to hunt the next deal.

Marketing and SEO

Search traffic drove most sales, so Krause prioritized real value over tricks. He used keyword research tools to find terms people actually searched. He then hired writers to produce detailed articles, guides and case studies that stopped visitors from bouncing. That tactic helped weather algorithm updates and build a loyal audience. Email marketing came next: a simple welcome series, periodic tips and limited-time upgrades to increase average customer value.

Risk Management

Buying online businesses is inherently risky: shady earnings claims, hidden tech debt or abandoned forums. To protect himself, Jaryd insisted on seller phone interviews, full bank statements and at least six months of analytics access before closing any deal. He never went all-in on one purchase – spreading funds across three sites in three years gave him more paths to success and quicker exits when something underperformed.

Lessons for Entrepreneurs

Krause’s story isn't about magic. It’s about shifting perspective from starting from scratch to buying proven assets. It shows that with the right plan, you can cut through the chaos and build a stable portfolio without reinventing the wheel. His emphasis on incremental site updates, user value and solid systems gives a repeatable blueprint for founders tired of guessing at success.

Conclusion

From leaky pipes to portfolio owner, Jaryd Krause rewrote his career. By adopting a data-backed acquisition process, focusing on evergreen niches and building processes that run without him, he achieved location independence and consistent cash flow. His journey proves that buying online businesses can be a smarter path than launching new startups, especially for first-time entrepreneurs seeking a proven path forward.