In 2020, as the world braced for the impact of a global pandemic, many businesses struggled to stay afloat. Amidst this chaos, a remarkable story began to unfold, one that showed incredible resilience and ingenuity.

It was the story of Michael Cao, a man from Vietnam who had faced challenges since childhood, having contracted polio at age one. Yet, his spirit was far from broken. When COVID-19 hit, Michael, along with a friend from Canada, saw not just hardship, but an opportunity to help.

The Unexpected

Beginning of 2HAC Studio

Michael Cao and his Canadian friend decided to start something new, something that could make a difference during the pandemic. They called their venture 2HAC Studio. Their goal was simple: to create tools that would assist people during a difficult time.

They knew they needed to keep things lean and smart. Both Michael and his co-founder kept their regular jobs, Michael at an American company in Vietnam and his friend at a bank in Canada. This allowed them to build their startup without taking on big financial risks.

Building

Big on a Shoestring Budget

One of the most surprising aspects of 2HAC Studio's journey was their commitment to keeping costs incredibly low. They decided not to hire any employees, focusing instead on using their free time to develop and market their products.

Their only regular expense was a small fee for their domain, just $9.99 per year. They built their entire operation using free or very cheap tools, showing that big ideas do not always need big budgets. This *bootstrapping approach

• allowed them to grow without financial pressure.

Here are some of the tools they used:

• App Script and VueJS for their add-ons

• Hugo for their website design

• Google Cloud for website hosting

• PayPal for their payment system

• Tawk for customer support

Solving a Real Problem

During the Pandemic

Their first big success came from identifying a specific need in Vietnam during the pandemic. Health officials required contact tracing for people attending events, schools, and churches. This was a challenging task for many organizations.

Michael and his team developed a *QR Code Attendance addon

• for Google Workspace. This tool allowed places to easily record attendees' information, including temperature and health status. It quickly became a vital solution for contact tracing efforts.

This addon helped countless organizations comply with health regulations and keep their communities safer. It was a clear example of how a simple, well-designed tool could solve a complex, urgent problem.

From Niche Solution to

Millions of Users

The QR Code Attendance addon quickly gained traction on the G Suite marketplace. It was used for more than just contact tracing, becoming a general attendance tracker for various purposes. The success of this first product paved the way for more.

2HAC Studio continued to develop other QR Code and barcode solutions. Their startup not only survived the challenging COVID-19 period but actually thrived, even as many other new businesses failed. This growth was a testament to their smart strategy and dedication.

Today, all their Google Workspace add-ons combined have reached an incredible milestone:

"We have more than 5 million users for all our Google Workspace add-ons."

Smart

Growth and Future-Proofing

Despite their significant user base and success, Michael and his co-founder have remained cautious and practical. They continue to operate with a lean model, offering both subscription and lifetime pricing for their products.

They have chosen not to give up their main jobs, a decision they stand by, especially with looming financial uncertainties. Their advice to other founders is clear: keep your job and reduce spending as much as possible during the early stages of your startup. This *careful financial planning

• helped them stay secure.

An Inspiring Message for Everyone

Beyond their business achievements, Michael Cao's journey carries a powerful message of encouragement. He hopes his story inspires others, especially disabled people and older individuals, to pursue their dreams.

He believes that anyone can create outstanding products using open-source or very cheap tools. It is about the idea and the effort, not necessarily about huge investments.

"Also, I would like to encourage disabled people, older people to escape your comfort zone and make changes in the world. All of us could develop outstanding products with open source or very cheap tools."

Michael's story is a powerful reminder that limitations often exist only in our minds. With determination, smart planning, and a willingness to use available resources, anyone can make a significant impact. His journey with 2HAC Studio shows that true innovation comes from solving real problems with passion and perseverance.

His experience teaches us that even during the toughest times, there is always room for creativity and success, especially when you are driven by a desire to help others.