How photo editing app Tezza grew from side hustle to millions in sales [Video]

Tessa Barton and Cole Herrmann launched their photo editing app for two reasons: passion and practicality.

In 2017, the newlyweds were struggling to pay their $2,800-per-month New York rent. They tried a series of side hustles — a denim line, collage kits, writing and selling a book — but none were particularly lucrative, and the products took up too much space in their 250-square-foot studio apartment.

At the time, Herrmann was a full-time software developer. Barton was a freelance photographer and burgeoning influencer. They turned to an idea that used both of their skillsets: making and selling photo filters on Adobe Lightroom.

Over several weeks, the filters gained an audience, prompting the pair to launch their own photo-editing app called Tezza — Barton’s nickname since college, she says — in 2018.

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Today, Tezza is a lifestyle brand that combines most of the couple’s side hustle attempts— selling collage kits, apparel and a recently launched …