The Story Behind Thistle: Built for the People Who Actually Do the Work
Thistle didn’t begin as a tech idea.
It began as frustration.
For years, I watched friends, family, and local business owners wrestle with invoicing tools that were either too complicated, too expensive, or too bloated with features nobody asked for. Simple jobs took too long. People were losing track of what they were owed. And the worst part? Admin work was eating into their evenings, weekends, and their lives.
So I asked a simple question:
“Why can’t invoicing just… work?”
No noise. No clutter. No learning curve.
Just an effortless way to create an invoice, send it, get paid, and get on with your day.
That question became Thistle.
Why Thistle?
The thistle is Scotland’s national symbol—not because it’s elegant, but because it’s resilient.
It survives. It protects. It stands strong.
That felt right.
Small businesses and sole traders are the backbone of local communities. They’re resilient too—working long hours, juggling customers, jobs, finances, and everything in between. They deserve tools that match their spirit instead of slowing them down.
Thistle is built for them.
A Tool Made From Real Experience
Thistle wasn’t designed in a boardroom.
It was shaped by:
countless conversations with business owners
real stories of lost evenings doing paperwork
people saying, “I just wish invoicing wasn’t such a pain.”
Every feature is intentionally simple:
Fast invoicing
Clean quotes
Easy payment tracking
Credit notes that actually make sense
Stripe payments without hassle
Nothing extra. Nothing confusing. Just what people actually need.
Built to Give You Your Time Back
Thistle isn’t just invoicing software.
It’s a small rebellion against unnecessary admin.
It's built so you can:
finish work earlier
focus on customers
chase dreams, not payments
get back hours you didn’t realise you were losing
Thistle is about control.
About clarity.
About making business feel lighter.
A Scottish App With a Global Purpose
Thistle might be built in Scotland, but its purpose is universal:
Make life easier for the people who work hard.
That’s the whole mission.
