Getting your first users
shouldn't be impossible
That single thought sparked everything. Here's the story of a founder who got frustrated and decided to build the community marketplace he wished existed.
Curtis Ewalt
Founder & Builder
By day, I work a 9-to-5 in the corporate world. And I love it. But I've always been that person who can't help but solve problems.
You know the type. Someone mentions a challenge, and my brain immediately starts mapping out solutions. It's not work for me. It's just how I'm wired.
ProofLayer was born from one of those moments.
At my day job, we had this recurring problem: getting testimonials from customers was like pulling teeth.
People were happy with our work, but actually getting them to write something? Nearly impossible. So I started looking for tools to make this easier.
That's when I stumbled into the world of testimonial platforms. And honestly, I couldn't believe what I saw.
Every. Single. One.
Was a monthly subscription.
Your Testimonials
From your customers. About your business. Built through your hard work.
Rented Platform
Paying month after month just to display what's already yours?
Poof. Gone.
Stop paying and your social proof disappears. That's not a tool. It's a hostage situation.
You don't rent your website. You don't rent your logo. You don't rent your customer database.
Why would you rent your testimonials?
When I get frustrated,
I don't complain.
I build.
The ProofLayer Model
- Pay once. Own it forever.
- No monthly fees eating into your margins.
- No "premium tier" to unlock basic features.
- No watching your testimonials disappear.
Built for people who hate subscriptions
ProofLayer is for anyone who's ever thought: "I just want something that works and doesn't cost me every month for the rest of time."
Freelancers
Tired of monthly fees eating into already-thin margins.
Agencies
Managing multiple clients who need separate workspaces without separate bills.
Course Creators
Wanting to showcase student wins without worrying about subscription renewals.
SaaS Founders
Building social proof while bootstrapping on a budget.
eCommerce Stores
Collecting product reviews without paying per review or per month.
What We Stand For
The principles that guide every decision.
Ownership Over Rental
Your reputation shouldn't have a monthly fee attached. Pay once, own forever.
Simplicity Over Complexity
Powerful tools don't have to be complicated. We keep it simple so you can focus on your business.
Value Over Hype
No inflated promises. No misleading marketing. Just honest tools that solve real problems.
This isn't a "quit your job" startup story
I still have my day job. I still love it. ProofLayer is a "solve a real problem and help people" story.
Development happens in focused sprints: early mornings, late nights, weekends. Features are built based on what users actually need, not what sounds impressive in a pitch deck.
Every dollar you pay goes into making the product better, not into inflated marketing budgets or "growth hacking."
Bootstrapped. Sustainable. Built to last.
Ready to get your
first 100 users?
Join founders who are getting matched with early adopters and building social proof from day one.
Questions? Email me directly at curtis@prooflayer.app