How Deven Built a $230K SaaS with a Bold, Unconventional Strategy
Deven discusses how focusing on a Minimum Lovable Product (MLP) rather than a simple MVP helped him build a product people truly loved, which was key to his growth and success.
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In today's interview, Deven highlights the importance of focus and consistency, he emphasizes how staying consistent and focusing on what works like leveraging Twitter and customer feedback, was crucial to his growth and reaching $230K ARR.
Deven shares:
His backstory and how he started.
How he got his first free and paid customers for his product.
What was effective in attracting customers to his product?
His competitive advantages, what gives him an edge, and insights that have proven beneficial to his operations.
Which books, podcasts, or other resources have had the greatest impact on him.
Advice he'd offer to entrepreneurs who are just starting out.
Q. Hello! Who are you and what product are you working on currently, and who is your target audience (Age range)?
Hi, I’m Deven Bhooshan, a software engineer turned indie hacker. Currently, I'm working on Supergrow, a tool designed to help founders and creators build their personal brands on LinkedIn. My target audience primarily includes founders and creators.
Q. What is your backstory and how did you come up with your idea? What year did you start?
I’ve always had an interest in technology and entrepreneurship. After working as a software engineer, I transitioned to building products independently. The idea for Supergrow stemmed from my earlier project Honeypot, which got impacted by Twitter's API changes. I recognized a gap in the market for LinkedIn branding tools, especially to help creators and founders. I started Supergrow in April 2023.
Q. Take us through the process of building the first version of your product MVP
The process of building Supergrow focused on delivering a product that not only met the basic needs of my target audience but also provided something they would love. I conducted market research, identified key pain points with LinkedIn content creation, and integrated AI technologies to help users effortlessly craft their personal brand. The first version was designed to address these pain points while ensuring ease of use and a delightful experience for users.
Q. How many employees do you have working on your product? Do you have any co-founders?
I’m currently working on Supergrow alongside a co-founder.
Q. How much monthly traffic do you receive?
As for monthly traffic, we are focusing on steady organic growth through social channels and word of mouth.
Q. How did you get your first customers for your product and how many free/paid customers do you have currently? (Feel free to list them out).
I got my first customers through sharing my journey and insights on Twitter. A SaaS founder who saw my post bought the annual plan of a previous product I built after seeing my transparency and approach. As of now, we have 800+ recurring customers who are paying for the service.
Q. Since you launched your product, what has worked to attract customers?
Sharing my personal journey and being transparent about my progress on Twitter has been the main way to attract customers. By discussing the process openly, I built trust with my audience, which played a crucial role in bringing in early adopters
Q. How is your product performing currently, and what are your plans for the future? Can you share your current metrics and revenue figures?
Since launching Supergrow, we've reached an annual recurring revenue (ARR) of $230K, with over 800 customers. Moving forward, my goal is to continuously improve the product based on user feedback and keep growing steadily without rushing. We plan to focus on enhancing features and supporting users as we grow.
Q. Since the inception of your business, have you gained any insights that have provided you with a competitive advantage and proven beneficial to your operations?
I think the biggest insight I've gained is the power of building in public. By sharing my journey openly, I’ve been able to attract customers and create a deeper connection with my audience. This transparency has been a competitive advantage in building trust and long term relationships with customers.
Q. What tools have helped you grow your product?
LinkedIn and Twitter have been incredibly helpful in promoting Supergrow. These platforms allowed me to connect with my audience and spread the word about the product organically. AI technology, specifically GPT-3, has also been essential for providing value to users in content creation.
Q. What advice would you offer to entrepreneurs who are looking to start or have just begun their journey?
My advice is to build in public. Share your process and progress openly with your audience. This transparency will help you build trust and connect with your target market, even if you’re just starting out. It also allows you to iterate quickly based on feedback and keeps you accountable.
Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions! What is your contact info if people would like to inquire about your services? You can add all your links.
Great! You can connect with me on X
Let me know what you learned from this interview and have a productive week! 🙏
Indie Tip of the Week
Don’t sell your product, sell the outcome. Focus on the problem your audience wants to solve, the time they’ll save, and the results they’ll get. That’s what makes people buy.
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Indie Trivia Of the Week
Which branch of the U.S. armed forces used the slogan “It’s not just a job, it’s an adventure”?
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Excellent interview Idris, thanks!