When Yunmie Kim first stepped into Fishburners, she had no idea that moment would bring her to tears. But as she looked around at the community of like-minded founders, she realised something profound—she wasn’t alone. That realisation marked the turning point in her entrepreneurial journey. It was more than just a workspace; it was a place where she found encouragement, support, and the reassurance that she was not the only one taking risks to build something meaningful.

The emotional moment stayed with her, reinforcing her decision to take the leap into full-time entrepreneurship. For Yunmie, StoryTribe wasn’t just an idea—it was the culmination of years of passion for drawing and UX design. The platform was something she had envisioned as a way to bridge the gap between creativity and functionality, making storytelling more accessible to all. But even with a clear vision, making it a reality came with its own set of challenges.

As she immersed herself in the Fishburners community, she started forming connections with other founders who shared similar struggles. They exchanged advice, discussed funding options, and brainstormed solutions to common startup hurdles. This network of support gave her the confidence to push forward, even when obstacles seemed insurmountable. Looking back, Yunmie sees that moment as the true beginning of her startup journey—one that would shape the path of StoryTribe in ways she hadn’t imagined.

FROM DOODLES TO A DIGITAL REVOLUTION

For Yunmie, drawing wasn’t just a hobby—it was a way of life. From her teenage years spent creating comics and publishing webtoons to her career in UX design, visual storytelling had always been at the core of everything she did. She saw the world through illustrations, often translating complex ideas into simple sketches that resonated with people far beyond the tech industry. But the idea for StoryTribe didn’t come in a single aha moment; it was the natural evolution of years of experience, trial, and discovery.

“I didn’t wake up one day thinking, ‘I’m going to merge drawing and UX design into a platform,’” Yunmie shared. “It just happened naturally. I used drawing as a way to explain concepts in meetings, and I saw firsthand how much more effective it was. Over time, I realised that there was no dedicated tool for UX storyboarding, and that’s when the idea started taking shape.”

As she refined the concept, Yunmie found herself reflecting on the various ways people interacted with visual storytelling across different fields. Educators, marketers, and content creators all relied on imagery to communicate ideas, yet no comprehensive tool existed to streamline the process. This realisation deepened her commitment to building StoryTribe, not just as a UX tool, but as a universal platform for visual collaboration. With that vision in mind, she began laying the groundwork for what would become a groundbreaking approach to digital storytelling.

Taking the Leap: Leaving a Stable Job for the Unknown

Building StoryTribe while working full-time was challenging, but quitting her job entirely? That was terrifying.

“It wasn’t just about leaving a stable income; there were visa concerns, financial worries, and self-doubt,” she admitted. “But the real push came when my co-founder, the tech lead, left the company. Suddenly, I had a product but no one to build it. I had to make a choice—find another developer who would work on equity alone or raise funds to hire a team. And to raise funds, I needed to go all in.”

That’s when Fishburners entered the picture. “Until the day I walked into Fishburners, I didn’t know a single person in the startup world. I felt like I was stepping into an alleyway no one else had walked before. But then I saw people who were on the same journey—some playing pool, others deep in conversation about their startups. That’s when I realised: I’m not alone.”

The Power of Building in Public

One of the biggest catalysts for StoryTribe’s success was its transparency. Instead of keeping the idea under wraps, Yunmie built it in public, sharing every step of the process on social media.

“Even before we launched, we had 50,000 people on our waitlist,” she explained. “By posting updates, early sketches, and sneak peeks, we created demand before there was even a product.”

This strategy paid off massively, leading to a viral launch that brought in 70,000 users in just a few months—without spending a single dollar on marketing.

For other founders hesitant to share their ideas openly, Yunmie’s advice is simple: If your execution is strong, transparency will only help you.

Fundraising as a Solo, Female Founder

Despite StoryTribe’s rapid growth, raising capital was an uphill battle.

“I pitched to 30 investors, and only two were women. Every rejection made me question myself. Eventually, someone told me, ‘You’re struggling because you’re a solo founder, a female founder, and a first-time founder. Investors don’t like that.’”

At first, those words stung. But then she met another solo female founder who had raised over $2 million. Her secret? Relationship-building.

“She spent a year cultivating relationships with investors, sending them updates, and showing them her progress. So by the time she was ready to raise, they were already interested.”

Inspired by this approach, Yunmie decided to focus on making StoryTribe self-sustaining rather than chasing funding immediately. Ironically, once she made that mindset shift, the funding came.

“The moment one investor joined, suddenly everyone else wanted in,” she laughed. “That’s just how it works sometimes.”

Storytelling in the Age of AI

With AI-generated content flooding the internet, where does human creativity fit in?

“AI isn’t replacing storytelling—it’s enhancing it,” Yunmie explained. “But AI will never fully understand your vision. Right now, if you prompt an AI tool to create an image, it guesses based on global data, often diluting unique ideas. That’s why StoryTribe is about collaborating with AI, not just letting it take over.”

Her vision? A world where humans and AI create together, with AI assisting in execution but leaving the creative control in human hands.

What’s Next for StoryTribe?

With over 150,000 users (when we did the interview but now they have 300,000 users) and counting, StoryTribe is just getting started. The next big release? A storyboard-sharing feature that allows users to preview and showcase their work more easily.

“We’re also working on custom character styles, so users can bring their unique artistic flair into their storyboards,” Yunmie hinted.

Final Thoughts

From a solo founder navigating uncertainty to a startup with a global audience, Yunmie Kim’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, community, and staying true to your vision.

Her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs? “Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Build in public, trust your instincts, and surround yourself with people who believe in you. The dots will connect—just keep going.”

Want to follow StoryTribe’s journey? Check them out here!