This 31-year-old New Yorker asked the internet for $25K to start a business in 2020 — 3 years later he made $1M in sales. Here's why his idea blew up

The campaign ultimately raised nearly $40,000 — enough to kickstart Photodom, a brick-and-mortar camera store that generated more than $1.1 million in revenue in 2024.

By the end of 2021, the shop had earned $726,910 in sales. That figure grew to $1,096,319 in 2023 and $1,146,737 in 2024, as Lewis expanded his team to 10 employees and increased his salary to $97,000. Here’s how he did it.

Inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs

The timing of the store's launch proved pivotal. In 2020, amid ongoing COVID-19 lockdowns and protests surrounding the murder of George Floyd, Lewis felt there was an opportunity to address a sustained local interest in analog photography — and the stories a camera could tell.

“I felt that starting something at that time, especially a physical camera store, could have been very impactful for the community,” he said.

Photodom has since expanded into a 1,400-square-foot space that includes retail, workshops, and a gallery.

Its success highlights how lived experience can spark powerful business ideas. Lewis didn’t just build a store — he created a community hub that reflects local needs and provides resources often lacking in historically underserved neighborhoods.

“Being one of the only Black-owned camera stores is a big responsibility,” he explained. “I feel like it’s a very important thing to have this belonging because, in the past, it could mean violence if you went to a space that was not meant for you.”

Location plays a critical role in small business success, with access to talent, community engagement, and market demand all contributing. For Lewis, Brooklyn — home to more than 2.7 million people and a growing hub for Black entrepreneurship — offered the ideal environment.