When Elaine Li of Sweet & Shiny Café (214 Knickerbocker Avenue, Bushwick) experienced costly and unexpected repairs for her café and cake decorating business, she turned to Kickstarter for help. “It saved my butt,” said Li.

Kickstarter, the popular crowdsourcing website, has inspired millions to launch pet projects and businesses. Kickstarter campaigns, which are supported by donations, must reach or exceed their fundraising goals to receive funds. This all-or-nothing approach means that of the millions of proposed projects, only a small handful are successful. For those lucky projects, it’s unclear about what happens after a successful Kickstarter—until now.

We talked to Elaine Li as well as and Seth Syberg of CocoBurg Inc., makers of vegan, gluten and soy-free coconut jerky who each launched their businesses after successful Kickstarter campaigns.