Launched by RevenueCat

100: Launch Center Pro & Sub Club — David Barnard

On the podcast: David Barnard shares how he went from recording engineer to one of the App Store’s earliest indie developers, building apps for the iPhone since 2008. He talks about borrowing $20,000 to start his company, turning Mirror into a million-dollar app through App Store search, why Launch Center Pro was more influential than profitable, and the lessons that eventually led him to RevenueCat. Top Takeaways: 💸 Fame and revenue are different metrics An app can live in people's docks for years, get covered by every major outlet, and gross $1M over its life while never paying its maker a tech salary. 🔍 Own one search term and you own a foundation A single high-intent App Store query, held for years, can quietly fund every other experiment you want to run. ✉️ Pitch their audience, not your story Three short paragraphs about why a writer's readers will care beats five pages about how much you need the coverage. 🤝 Write the partnership exit before you need it Decide up front who does what and what happens when one of you stops doing it, because unwinding a 50/50 split is where it gets ugly. 🎯 Build the reason your app exists first Covering the category's table stakes before the thing that makes you different is a sequencing mistake that can sink a good app. 🔋 Save some energy for the week after launch Shipping burnt out means the marketing plan you wrote never happens, and the next shiny idea wins instead. About David Barnard: 📱Growth Advocate at RevenueCat and Host of the Sub Club podcast. A long-time indie iOS developer whose App Store career stretches back to 2008. He’s built and launched dozens of apps, including Launch Center Pro, Mirror, and Weather Up. 👋 LinkedIn 🌐 Learn more about RevenueCat 🚀 Learn more about Launch Center Pro ☀️ Learn more about Weather Up Follow us on X: Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc David Barnard - @drbarnard RevenueCat - @RevenueCat Launched - @LaunchedFM Episode Highlights: [00:00] Celebrating 100 episodes & 18 years on the App Store [08:46] South Texas, sound recording, and the studio years [13:18] From recording engineer to iPhone evangelist [16:46] Why the studio schedule had to end [17:42] First in line for the iPhone [22:18] A $20,000 loan from family to start AppCubby [28:27] Learning enough code to hire the right help [31:55] TripCubby and the cubby idea [34:04] Missing App Store day one over a developer account [45:58] How to pitch the press without begging [51:45] Charts, discounts, and the race up the rankings [55:37] Building Mirror around the front-facing camera [58:03] Camera Plus and the exact-match search trick [01:03:43] Why search traffic creates staying power [01:07:29] Launch Center Pro and the URL scheme era [01:15:34] The notification hack Apple rejected [01:22:11] Getting approved by Phil Schiller [01:26:01] Why Launch Center Pro shipped as a separate app [01:29:02] Well loved, barely profitable [01:36:51] The paid update David still regrets skipping [01:39:07] Workflow, Shortcuts, and a copied database [01:50:14] Unwinding a partnership as the app faded [01:56:46] The subscription pivot that landed badly [01:59:16] The Zapier deal that never happened [02:03:34] Why an indie developer went and got a job [02:06:08] Weather Up and the cost of building subscriptions yourself [02:07:52] Sequencing, differentiation, and finding the right partner [02:11:30] Building independently with AI [02:15:36] Grit Method and four questions for his kids [02:18:16] Burnt out at launch, marketing left undone [02:20:36] How RevenueCat and David crossed paths [02:21:13] Building Sub Club around takeaways [02:28:16] Sub Club Live and the weekly cadence [02:30:36] Donald Norman and the design of everyday things

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99: Quick Reviews — Matt Birchler

On the podcast: Matt Birchler shares how he went from a self-taught blogger and content creator to building a growing catalog of indie apps by solving problems he personally encountered. He talks about why he separates his opinion-driven blog from his educational YouTube channel, how AI tools helped him finally break through the barrier of building iOS apps, what he learned from turning Quick Reviews from a manual Sketch workflow into a native app, why solving your own frustrations can be the best product strategy, and how small “micro apps” could become the future of independent software development. Top Takeaways: 🛠️ Repeated personal friction is the best app brief The strongest micro apps start as manual workflows that you finally get tired of repeating. 🤖 Bad AI output forces you to learn the code When early AI tools make mistakes, fixing them forces you to understand your app's structure instead of just pasting a solution. 📦 Name your app to set honest expectations Calling a tool "Quick" or "Micro" signals to users that it is a focused utility, not a massive platform that requires heavy support. 💸 Price your app to cover your API exposure If your app relies on third-party data that might not stay free forever, charge a subscription from day one so the project never loses money. 📂 Let your private experiments stay private You can build dozens of tiny tools and tests without turning every single one into a public product. About Matt Birchler: 🚀 Indie app developer, blogger behind BirchTree, creator of A Better Computer, and co-host of the Comfort Zone podcast. A self-taught technologist with a background in product, design, and software. Matt builds practical tools like Quick Reviews, Quick Subtitles, and Chapterize while sharing his perspective on technology, creativity, and independent software development. 👋 LinkedIn 🌐 Learn more about Quick Reviews Follow us on X: Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc RevenueCat - @RevenueCat Launched - @LaunchedFM Episode Highlights: [00:00] Introducing Matt Birchler and his creative journey [01:58] Growing up, studying TV production, and finding tech [05:54] Starting BirchTree as a creative outlet [06:35] Building an audience through blogging and sharing ideas [09:50] Learning to handle feedback and write with context [12:52] Separating opinions from education through different platforms [15:53] Moving into software through a support role [20:00] Building a career without a traditional path [21:46] Starting A Better Computer during the pandemic [23:56] The challenges of turning content into a business [31:59] Creating Quick Reviews from a personal workflow [36:50] Using AI to build his first real iOS apps [38:38] How AI changed the development process [44:04] Turning Quick Reviews into a paid app [46:59] Building a growing catalog of utility apps [52:12] Why Matt releases small, focused tools [54:21] The future of micro apps and AI development [56:34] Building Comfort Zone with a creative team [58:32] The value of collaboration and shared creative work [1:04:35] Creative influences and lessons from other builders

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98: Sequel – Romain Lefebvre

On the podcast: Romain Lefebvre shares how he built Sequel, a media tracker for movies, TV, games, books, and audiobooks, after years of designing fintech apps left him craving something more visual. He talks about writing down two founding design principles before coding a single feature, why he still thinks his original pricing model backfired, and how a MacStories review turned a quiet hobby project into the most word-of-mouth-recommended media tracker on the internet, catching the attention of Quinn Nelson of Snazzy Labs and David Pierce of The Verge without spending a dollar on ads. Top Takeaways: 🎨 Design your app to be recommended Word of mouth doesn't happen by accident; design your core screens so that when a user shows their friend, the friend immediately asks, "Wow, what app is that?" 🛑 Write down your design principles before you code Defining your core thesis upfront (like "unification, ease of input, artwork first") makes it much easier to say no to feature bloat in V1. 💸 A capped free tier is just a trial in disguise If your free tier has a hard limit that users will inevitably hit, they will treat your app like a trial from day one and constantly look for the paywall. 📉 Set a deadline for your indie bet When growth is slow, setting a concrete milestone (like "hit £1,000 in the first month of V2") turns an endless grind into a clear decision point. ⚠️ Free APIs are an existential business risk When you rely on third-party data sources, you have to be prepared for the day they break without warning or suddenly introduce a paid tier. About Romain Lefebvre: 🚀 Product designer based in London and creator of Sequel, a unified tracker for movies, TV shows, games, books, and audiobooks. Previously worked as a product designer and product manager at UK startups before going indie full-time. 👋 Linkedin 🎬 Learn more about Sequel Follow us on X: Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc RevenueCat - @RevenueCat Launched - @LaunchedFM Episode Highlights: [00:00] The power of word-of-mouth growth [00:45] Introducing Romain Lefebvre and Sequel [02:09] What Sequel does across movies, TV, games, and books [03:30] Growing up in France and studying computer science at Oxford [04:49] Choosing design over a purely technical career path [07:52] Hired as an engineer, becomes the company's designer within a week [10:44] Product management versus design, and the choice that stuck [13:28] Building Remindly to relearn UIKit [16:53] What a low-stakes side project teaches about shipping to real users [20:41] Leaving fintech UX behind to revive an old movie-tracking idea [23:44] Expanding the idea to include games and books [28:14] Writing down Sequel's founding design principles before coding [35:00] Early monetization thinking and the 25-item paywall [39:53] Where Sequel's movie, game, and book data actually comes from [ 44:23] The V1 launch and reaching out to Mac and app blogs [46:10] Volunteering for redundancy to go full-time on Sequel [47:21] V2: the real launch, eight months later [50:52] Building in public ahead of the MacStories review [54:59] How a MacStories review turned into organic word of mouth [55:14] Quinn Nelson naming Sequel the most-recommended app [56:22] David Pierce's newsletter and the email that led to a call [59:23] Designing the share screen to sell the app [01:00:36] What's next: App Clips and localization before wider sharing [01:04:27] Romain’s creative inspirations

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97: Icon and Visual Designer – Matthew Skiles

On the podcast: Matthew Skiles shares how a self-taught teenager in New Zealand went from building his dad's tennis coaching website to becoming one of the most recognizable names in app icon design — including Launched's own icon. He talks about how getting tapped by Christian Selig to design icon alternates for Apollo turned him from unknown to in-demand almost overnight, why he calls chasing app icon work "not a smart business decision" he'd still make again, why Apple's Tahoe squircle rules and Icon Composer's forced glass effects frustrate him more than they excite him, and how AI-generated reference images are quietly reshaping his client conversations. Top Takeaways: 🎨 You don't need a portfolio, you need people who trust your work The first paid gigs in a new niche usually come from existing clients who already know you deliver, not from a polished portfolio you don't have yet. 📉 Constraints make you a better designer When a platform strips away textures and details, you can't hide behind coolness anymore; you're forced to learn what actually matters — a great shape. 🧲 Don't be literal with your app icon The best icons aren't diagrams of what the app does; they're objects so fun to look at that people download the app just to keep them on their home screen. 📐 The #1 app icon mistake: your symbol is too big Shrink it down a few pixels past where you think it should stop; breathing room almost always looks better than filling the frame. 🤖 Infinite AI options are a trap Generating 50 more variations feels like progress, but at some point you have to commit to a direction — endless options create choice paralysis, not clarity. 🎯 "Fun" can be a business strategy Choosing the work you love over the work that's economically sensible isn't smart on paper, but passion compounds: do the thing you love publicly and consistently, and the market finds you. About Matthew Skiles: 🎨 New Zealand-based icon and visual designer for 15+ years, creating hand-crafted artistic expressions for developers big and small. 👋 LinkedIn 🌐 Learn more about Matthew Skiles Follow us on X: Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc RevenueCat - @RevenueCat Launched - @LaunchedFM Episode Highlights: [00:00] Designing Launched's Icon and Meeting Matthew Skiles [03:13] A Self-Taught Designer in New Zealand [04:57] Learning Through Websites and Early Dribbble [05:40] Building Rockin' Rockets With His Brother [09:46] How Existing Clients Opened the Icon Door [10:46] Discovering Classic Mac App Icons [11:53] Skeuomorphism, Texture, and the Adobe Workflow [15:58] How iOS 7 Changed the Craft [18:59] Learning to Start With Shape [20:24] Big Sur, Tahoe, and Squircle Constraints [22:52] Icon Composer and System-Generated Glass [25:03] Becoming Known for One Kind of Work [25:54] How Apollo Expanded His Audience [27:59] Building a Business on Short Engagements [30:10] Apple's Role in Elevating Icon Design [34:55] Dribbble's Decline and a Fragmented Community [38:05] Finding Inspiration and Today's Icon Trends [41:18] Why Great Icons Needn't Be Literal [42:56] Sketching Concepts Before Adding Color [44:20] Designing for Scale, Competition, and Color [47:44] Refinement and Giving Icons Breathing Room [50:14] AI, Infinite Options, and Choice Paralysis [57:04] Waiting for New Tools to Prove Themselves [59:40] Jasper Hauser and the Icons That Inspired Him

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96: Plinky — Joe Fabisevich

On the podcast: Joe Fabisevich shares how he went from Twitter's health and safety team to building Plinky, a link-saving app born of trading memes with his wife. He talks about why he treats every beta like a production launch, how his wife's pro marketing playbook — lookback calendars, email campaigns, and press outreach — shaped his entire go-to-market strategy, why he regrets starting with a generous freemium tier, and how a scrappy 19-day ChatGPT wrapper went viral off one email to John Gruber. Top Takeaways: 🛒 You should charge people — and you should charge them sooner Settling on a generous freemium tier feels kind, but it quietly kills your ability to learn who converts, why they convert, and when they drop off. 📅 A lookback calendar turns launch chaos into a system Work backwards from your launch date and assign every single day a strategic task — teasers, emails, press pitches — so nothing happens ad hoc the night before. 📧 Email is the single best revenue lever for indie apps Run three emails per sale (launch day, a few days out, 24 hours left), segment by open behavior, and don't panic if the first two are quiet — the last one drives the most conversions. 🧪 Treat your beta like a production launch Building export systems, handling migrations, and collecting real feedback during a TestFlight isn't wasted effort — it pays dividends when you ship for real and already have the infrastructure. 🧠 AI is superhuman, but it's not a mind reader If your prompt wouldn't be enough for a human engineer to build from, it's not enough for AI either — most people are one lightbulb moment away from building real things. About Joe Fabisevich: 🚀 Indie iOS developer and founder of Plinky, a thoughtfully designed link-saving app. Previously an engineer at Twitter, he also builds open-source developer tools and writes about AI, product development, and software craftsmanship. 👋 LinkedIn 🌐 Learn more about Plinky Follow us on X: Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc RevenueCat - @RevenueCat Launched - @LaunchedFM Episode Highlights: [00:00] Introducing Plinky and designing apps with care [03:16] What Plinky does and why it exists [04:34] Growing up in Queens and discovering programming [07:21] Early iOS development and first jobs [10:20] Lessons from working at Twitter [16:15] The personal story behind Plinky [19:51] From side project to indie business [23:00] Building in public and earning trust [27:26] Delaying the launch to build Boutique [30:29] Why TestFlight should feel like production [32:25] Finding the right product and pricing strategy [35:17] Launch planning and go-to-market strategy [39:17] Press outreach and launch momentum [41:20] The Short Circuit AI app [46:01] Launching Plinky and product philosophy [47:32] Subscriptions, pricing, and paywalls [50:42] Growing through email and seasonal sales [56:55] Teaching developers to build with AI [01:00:43] Embracing AI instead of fearing it [01:04:41] Red Panda Club and creative inspiration

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95: !Boring Software — Andy Allen

On the podcast: Andy Allen shares how he went from designing the never-shipped Microsoft Courier tablet and co-founding the Apple Design Award-winning drawing app Paper to starting !Boring Software (Not Boring Software) — a deliberately tiny, 2-person studio built around one rule: never make boring software again. He talks about why staying small on purpose protects you from getting trapped in a business you hate, how a "patron plan" with no extra features outsold expectations, why sound design and haptics are the most underused tools in app development, and how 3 years of false starts led to Not Boring Camera — an app that strips out all of Apple's photo processing so you can take expressive photos instead of technically perfect ones. Top Takeaways: 🎨 Design can be the entire value proposition — not just a nice-to-have People pay premiums for notebooks, furniture, and cars based on aesthetics, yet the software industry still assumes you need feature differentiation to charge money. 🔒 The biggest risk isn't failure — it's getting trapped in a business you don't want to run Structure your company, your incentives, and your product roadmap around the work you actually want to do, not the work that seems most scalable. 🎭 Doing the uncool thing often has the most staying power The projects that resonate most tend to be the ones nobody else wanted to do — starting an app business when everyone else was chasing SaaS turned out to be the right move. 💰 Patronage works when your mission resonates If people see you fighting a battle they believe in, they'll pay significantly more than the value of the features they unlock — they're funding the effort, not buying a product. 🔊 Sound design is the most underused tool in app development One sound file repeated is grating; a dozen slightly different versions of the same click — borrowed from game audio — makes software feel alive without adding real complexity. 📷 Default camera apps ensure you never take a bad photo — but you can never take a great one Stripping out computational processing and putting expressive tools into the moment of capture makes people want to go outside and take photos of random things again. 🧱 Ship complete products and move on Committing to "this is the app we made" — no V3 feature bloat, no chatbot in the corner — forces you onto the more creatively interesting path of making something new every year. About Andy Allen: 🚀 Founder and designer behind !Boring Software (Not Boring Software), an app studio creating expressive, design-led utility apps including Not Boring Weather, Calculator, Timer, Habits, Vibes, and Camera. 👋 LinkedIn 🌐 Learn more about Not Boring Software Follow us on X: Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc RevenueCat - @RevenueCat Launched - @LaunchedFM Episode Highlights: [00:00] The fear of building the wrong business [00:45] WWDC, Apple Design Awards, and Not Boring Camera merch [04:27] Growing up in a remote Alaskan fishing village [06:09] Studying visual communication design [08:51] Early interaction design work at Ziba [13:37] Moving to Microsoft and working on Courier [17:48] Designing tools for creativity instead of consumption [22:03] Building Paper for iPad [28:15] Raising VC and selling FiftyThree [30:05] The origin of Not Boring Software [35:28] Building a small business on purpose [37:39] Testing whether design can be enough [45:51] Subscriptions, skins, and patronage [50:28] Why customers support the mission [53:03] Avoiding a business you do not want to run [55:47] Sound design, haptics, and game-inspired software [01:03:15] Performance trade-offs with 3D app design [01:06:06] Building Not Boring Camera [01:12:13] Super RAW, LUTs, and expressive photography [01:17:11] Why the moment of creation matters [01:20:33] Andy’s creative inspirations

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94: Shot Pattern — Eric Duffett

On the podcast: Eric Duffett shares how he built Shot Pattern — a golf GPS app that brings "moneyball" thinking to the course — as a side project while teaching high school full-time. He talks about his first failed app, why automating an existing community workflow created instant product-market fit, turning down a 75K acquisition offer, cracking Meta ads with a scrappy zero-budget screen recording, and growing to one million dollars in total sales without ever leaving the classroom. Top Takeaways: ⛳ Find people already doing it the hard way If a community is solving a problem with spreadsheets, Google Maps, or shared workarounds, you don't need to convince them they have a problem — you just need to make the solution easier. 🚫 Don't rebuild your entire app for one person's feedback Overweighting the first piece of feedback you get, especially when it requires a massive pivot like adding a new platform, is one of the most common traps for first-time developers. 📉 Intellectually knowing and emotionally knowing are different things You can predict a seasonal downturn or a slow period, but the anxiety of watching revenue drop to zero still hits differently when you're living through it. 🎬 Market before you build The difference between a hobby that nobody finds and a business that grows from day one can be as simple as sharing screenshots and talking about what you're making while you're still making it. 💸 Your LTV has to work before you spend a dollar on ads Paid acquisition only becomes a money printer when your conversion and retention numbers are already strong from organic users — otherwise you're just paying to lose money faster. 🎥 The scrappy creative wins A raw, unpolished screen recording made by the founder can outperform expensive influencer content because it speaks directly to the audience in their own language. 🏋️ Grit without product-market fit is just suffering Resilience is a necessary skill, but grinding on something nobody wants for years doesn't make you a better entrepreneur — it just delays the moment you find the thing that actually works. About Eric Duffet: 🚀 Indie Developer and creator of Shot Pattern, a specialized golf GPS and course management app designed to help golfers lower their scores by visualizing their personal "shot cone" directly over satellite maps of the golf course 👋 LinkedIn 🌐 Learn more about Shot Pattern Episode Highlights: [00:00] Introduction to Shot Pattern: “Moneyball for golf” [02:14] Eric’s background: teaching, finance, and early app development [03:40] Golf experience and coaching background [05:58] First app: meditation for athletes and lessons learned [10:47] Rookie mistakes: Android pivot and early marketing missteps [13:08] Design insights from working with UI/UX students [17:00] Understanding product-market fit through a simple school app [20:07] Starting Shot Pattern as a personal side project [21:46] Early app features: measuring arcs and dispersion on Apple Maps [25:17] Early marketing and organic growth via Twitter [29:35] Investing in golf course data to enhance the app [33:04] Prototype simulations and early community feedback [35:10] Declining $75K acquisition offer to continue independently [38:14] Facing seasonal slowdowns and sustaining motivation [42:04] Running Meta ads and achieving high LTV [46:50] Effective ad creative targeting the right golfers [49:58] Balancing development, business, and family [56:32] Hiring a contractor for marketing and operational support [01:00:23] Future plans: delivering more value through analytics and AI reports [01:02:31] Competition and validation in the golf app space

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93: Stuff — Austin Blake

On the podcast: Austin Blake shares his journey from film student and Apple superfan to the creator of Stuff, a task management app built for people who care deeply about design and productivity. He explains the challenge of competing in crowded markets, building software that “feels right,” and what it’s like getting featured by Apple. Top Takeaways: 🛠️ Out-persist the crowded market You do not need to reinvent the wheel to succeed; you can stand out in a saturated space simply by committing to continuous development and polishing the user experience over several years. 🤖 Let AI agents review each other When learning a new platform, you can accelerate development by using AI to generate code and setting up multiple AI agents to review and refine each other's plans before you inspect the final code. ⏱️ Shorten your trial to find the magic number A month-long free trial is often too much time for users to feel the urgency to upgrade; reducing your trial to seven days can significantly increase your trial-to-paid conversion rate. 📦 Rethink native paradigms from scratch Porting an app to a new platform requires more than stretching the UI; you must implement the platform-specific interactions, like keyboard navigation and native undo states, that users subconsciously expect. ⏳ Always triple your launch buffer for new platforms App Store review guidelines are highly inconsistent across platforms; even if your app's core features are already approved on mobile, expect unexpected rejections and budget at least three weeks for a desktop launch. About Austin Blake: 🚀 Indie Developer and creator of Stuff, a task management app focused on combining simplicity, beauty, and powerful productivity workflows. Former Apple contractor and incoming Developer Advocate at RevenueCat. 👋 LinkedIn 🌐 Learn more about Stuff Follow us on X: Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc RevenueCat - @RevenueCat Launched - @LaunchedFM Episode Highlights: [00:00] Why Austin built “another” to-do list app [00:42] Meeting at WWDC and joining RevenueCat [03:22] From film school to advertising to coding [04:55] Growing up as an Apple superfan [07:11] Learning to code after getting ignored by Evernote [08:35] Building MightyNote and Achievements [11:58] Early lessons about onboarding and subscriptions [14:03] Quitting his job to go all-in on indie development [16:24] Working at Apple while building Stuff on the side [18:55] Why Austin chose task management as his focus [20:40] Competing in crowded app categories [22:22] The magic and inspiration behind Wunderlist [25:39] Designing apps that “feel right” [26:47] Building task dependencies into Stuff [28:09] Launching Stuff through pre-orders and community feedback [31:33] The pros and cons of large TestFlight betas [38:14] Launching the Mac version of Stuff [40:04] Getting featured by Apple for AI-powered features [42:12] Pricing strategy, subscriptions, and free trials [45:01] Building trust through dev logs and transparency [50:14] Designing for macOS vs iPhone and iPad [56:22] The realities of App Store review for Mac apps [59:12] Austin’s favorite creators, apps, and inspirations

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92: Cascable Studio - Daniel Kennett

On the podcast: Daniel Kennett shares his journey from indie developer to creating Cascable Studio. He tells the story of the challenges of building his app that supports over 250 cameras, the process of reverse-engineering hardware, and why his background in indie development shaped his approach to the business. Top Takeaways: 🏗️ The framework doesn't matter — the app does Users don't care whether you used SwiftUI or RealBasic; they care whether the app is polished and fits the platform. 💸 If they can afford a $4,000 camera, charge accordingly Pricing for a professional audience means resisting the race to the bottom; your users' willingness to pay reflects the value of the tools they already own. 📈 Slow, steady growth is still growth A consistently rising line over five years, even without a single breakout moment, can eventually replace a full salary — if you don't panic and quit. 🔄 Multiple revenue streams are a survival strategy, not a luxury An SDK licensing business and a webcam app built on existing infrastructure turned a COVID revenue crash into a three-week turnaround. 🧱 Architecture decisions you make early can pay off years later Pulling camera connection logic into a standalone framework was an accidental decision that later became both a licensing product and the foundation for a pivot app. 💍 The people closest to you live through your failures too Having a partner who saw the worst of it and still supported the next attempt — with sensible goals and financial guardrails — made the difference between a reckless gamble and a calculated bet. 🎯 Subscription-only can alienate a professional audience When Adobe went subscription-only, it angered the entire photography industry overnight; offering both subscription and one-time purchase options lets customers choose their relationship with your app. About Daniel Kennett: 🚀Senior macOS and iOS developer, currently running an independent software company, Cascable AB, that ships professional photography tools like Cascable Studio, a professional camera control app that empowers photographers with advanced features for non-iPhone cameras. 👋 LinkedIn 🌐 Learn more about Cascable 🌐 Daniel’s Website Follow us on X: Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc RevenueCat - @RevenueCat Launched - @LaunchedFM Episode Highlights: [0:00] Introduction to Daniel Kennett and Cascable Studio [1:00] Daniel’s background: From a self-taught coder to indie developer [5:00] The story behind Cascable Studio [8:30] The early days of indie development: Challenges and successes [12:00] Reverse engineering and building a tool for photographers [15:30] How adding camera support transformed the app's growth [18:00] Learning from failures and the importance of not giving up [20:30] Why a niche market can lead to success: Focusing on non-iPhone cameras [24:00] Managing financial challenges and building a sustainable indie business [27:00] The role of simplicity in app design and user experience [30:00] Expanding into new markets: Licensing SDKs for other developers [32:30] Why Daniel prefers to build with minimal outside funding [35:00] Lessons from working with hardware manufacturers and building partnerships [37:30] What's next for Cascable Studio and future goals for indie development [40:00] Daniel’s advice for future indie developers: Focus, perseverance, and learning

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91: Focus Friend - Bria Sullivan

On the podcast: Bria Sullivan shares her journey as an indie developer to creating Focus Friend, a focus timer app that quickly gained traction with the help of Hank Green. She discusses the foundation of Focus Friend, the challenges of balancing her business and personal life, and the wonderful experience working with Hank Green. Top Takeaways: 📱 Success isn't just about coding The most successful indie developers rely more on product instinct and marketing intuition than raw engineering talent. 🧪 Validate with your target audience early Real-time feedback loops, like live-streaming development choices to followers, can pinpoint exactly what users want before you build the wrong thing. 📈 There's a formula for the Top 100 Getting to $50k-$120k a year in indie app revenue relies more on systematic execution of known frameworks than pure luck. 🎭 Working with creators requires boundary setting Influencers have immense reach but often suggest features that don't make good standalone products; you have to guide the product vision. 🕵️ Privacy is a feature, not just compliance When your app is tied to a beloved public figure, users scrutinize data collection heavily; sometimes you have to sacrifice ad tracking to protect the brand's trust. About Bria Sullivan: 🚀 Indie Developer and Creator of Focus Friend, a gamified focus timer app designed to help users stay focused with a cute “bean” character. Also the creator of Boba Story, a game where players run a boba shop. 👋 LinkedIn 🌐 Learn more about Focus Friend 🌐 Learn more about Boba Story Follow us on X: Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc RevenueCat - @RevenueCat Launched - @LaunchedFM Episode Highlights: [0:00] Introduction to Bria Sullivan and Focus Friend [1:00] Bria’s background: From self-taught coder to indie developer [5:30] The story behind Focus Friend: Creating a productivity app for Hank Green’s audience [10:00] Balancing indie app development with personal life challenges [12:30] Marketing through TikTok: Building an audience before launch [15:00] The struggles and success of Boba Story [17:30] The evolution of Focus Friend: Iterating and listening to feedback [20:00] Collaborating with influencers: How Bria worked with Hank Green [22:30] The role of design and simplicity in a successful app [26:00] Monetization decisions: Choosing a subscription model without being intrusive [29:30] Overcoming the obstacles of indie development [32:00] Reflections on growing as an indie developer and working with influencers [34:00] Bria’s approach to creating apps that resonate with users [37:00] What’s next for Bria Sullivan and her apps [40:00] Advice for future indie developers and creators

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90: Teleprompter Pro – Joe Allen

On the podcast: Joe Allen has been building Teleprompter Pro for 15 years — and he'll be the first to tell you he's not sure how much of that growth he actually caused. He talks about why he waited 5 years after the app could sustain him before finally going full-time, how a simple email list became his safety net through the transition to subscriptions, and the two weeks he spent battling App Store Review to get his new app Captions approved — including the phone call that finally cracked it. Top Takeaways: 🛠️ Build for the itch you already have The best indie apps start as tools their creators needed, not market opportunities they spotted. 🌱 Let the App Store river carry you Sometimes organic growth comes from being in the right place at the right time, and the healthiest approach is to accept you don't control every drop of water. 📈 Don't rush the full-time leap It's okay to let a side project sustain itself for years before making it your sole source of income. 🤝 Support is a feature, not a chore Treating customer support as a core part of the product builds loyalty and reveals the actual features users are looking for. 📧 An email list is your only real safety net Having a direct line to your customers is the single most important asset when platform algorithms change or business models shift. About Joe Allen: 🚀 Indie Developer and Creator of Teleprompter Pro, an app designed to make content creation easier by providing a portable teleprompter solution, and Captions, a tool designed to add dynamic captions to videos, enhancing accessibility and engagement. 👋 LinkedIn 🌐 Learn more about Teleprompter Pro 🌐 Learn more about Captions Follow us on X: Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc RevenueCat - @RevenueCat Launched - @LaunchedFM Episode Highlights: [0:00] Introduction to Joe Allen and Teleprompter Pro [2:00] Joe’s Background: From Media Studies to Indie Development [5:10] The Birth of Teleprompter Pro: Turning Freelance Work into an App [7:30] Transitioning from Side Project to Full-Time Indie Developer [10:00] Overcoming the Challenges of Indie Development: Learning on the Go [12:45] Growing Teleprompter Pro: Building a Product for Creators [15:00] Pricing and Business Strategy: Moving to a Subscription Model [17:30] Navigating User Feedback and Iterating on Teleprompter Pro [20:00] Lessons from Building Teleprompter Pro and Going Full-Time [23:00] Customer Support: Balancing Personal Engagement with Growth [26:00] Developing Captions: A New Tool for Content Creators [29:00] Monetizing Teleprompter Pro and Building Long-Term Sustainability [32:00] Moving Beyond the App: Joe’s Approach to Scaling and Growing [35:00] The Role of Email Marketing and Customer Relationships in Indie Development [38:30] The Emotional Side of Indie Development: Success, Challenges, and Growth [41:00] Expanding the Team: How Hiring Help Changed Joe’s Workflow [44:00] Reflecting on the Journey: What Joe Learned as an Indie Developer [47:30] Closing Thoughts: The Future of Teleprompter Pro and Captions

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89: one sec - Frederik Riedel

On the podcast: how Frederik Riedel built one sec as a weekend prototype, accidentally triggered it 20 seconds later, and turned it into a research-backed screen time app with a proven 57% reduction. From a viral tweet with 700 followers to partnerships with Stanford, Cambridge, and three national governments — plus why he filed a US patent as an indie dev. Top Takeaways: 🧪 Your weekend prototype might be the one The app that changes everything doesn't always come from a grand plan — sometimes it's just a weekend hack to fix something that's bugging you. 🐦 One great tweet can carry you further than you think A single authentic screen recording can generate months of organic growth, especially when it shows a product that instantly clicks with people. 📱 Advertise where your users already are (even if it's ironic) If your target audience lives on social media, that's exactly where your ads should be — even if your product is designed to help them use it less. 🔬 Research isn't just for credibility — it's a product advantage Partnering with researchers can unlock new features, new audiences, and a trust signal that no amount of five-star reviews can replicate. 🧑‍💻 Ship fast, ship often, and let the market tell you what sticks Building 50-100 apps teaches you more about product-market fit than any amount of planning — the winners reveal themselves. 🫣 Hiring doesn't have to mean managing You can grow a team of 18 without a management layer if you hire independent thinkers who use the product and share the mission. 🧠 A breathing exercise beats willpower every time Interrupting an autopilot habit with a brief pause is more effective than screen time limits, cold turkey deletion, or guilt — science backs it up at 57%. 🛡️ Patents are for indie devs too If your idea is genuinely novel and you're worried about big tech copying it, a patent gives them a reason to talk to you first instead of just shipping their own version. About Frederik Riedel: 🚀 Indie Developer and Creator of one sec, the focus app that tackles the problem of unconscious social media use at its root. It is designed to change your habits on a long-term basis. 👋 LinkedIn 🌐 Learn more about one sec Follow us on X: Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc RevenueCat - @RevenueCat Launched - @LaunchedFM Episode Highlights: [0:00] Introduction to Frederik Riedel and the one sec Story [2:30] The Origins of one sec: From a Personal Struggle to a Solution [5:10] How one sec Helps People Reclaim Control Over Screen Time [7:45] Frederik's Background in Software Development and Early App Journey [10:15] From Indie Developer to Full-Time Founder: Transitioning to one sec [13:00] The Importance of Intentional Design and User Experience in one sec [15:30] The Growth of one sec: From Concept to Widespread Adoption [18:00] Marketing one sec: Using Personal Connections and Organic Growth [21:15] The Role of Research in one sec’s Credibility and Success [24:00] Monetization Strategy: One-Time Payments to Subscription Models [27:45] Balancing Personal and Professional Life as an Indie Founder [30:30] Building a Team: The First Hire and Growing the one sec Team [33:00] Community Building: How one sec Connects with Users [35:45] Managing Product Development and Customer Support as an Indie Founder [38:30] Navigating the Transition from Indie Developer to Business Owner [41:20] The Future of one sec: Scaling and Expanding Features [44:00] The Importance of Personal Branding and Authenticity in Business [46:45] Lessons Learned from the Indie Developer Journey [49:30] Closing Thoughts: The Balance Between Passion, Productivity, and Sustainability [52:00] Takeaways for Aspiring Indie Developers

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88: SwiftLee – Antoine van der Lee

On the podcast: Antoine shares how he built RocketSim from an internal tool into a thriving business, the challenges of scaling as an indie developer, and the key marketing insights that drove growth—without relying on traditional ads or influencer campaigns. Top Takeaways: ⏱️ Solve time, and they will pay you There are countless solved problems in the world, but if your tool gives developers back their most limited resource—time—the sales pitch writes itself. 🧱 Build what your users ask for, and the trials will follow Releasing the number-one voted feature on a public roadmap is the most reliable way to turn dormant users into active trials. 🐢 Some problems take years to solve Not every technical hurdle can be Googled; sometimes you have to sit on an open issue for two years until your skills grow enough to crack it. 🤝 Embrace your competitors Cross-promoting with competing apps and newsletters actually grows your audience faster than trying to dominate a niche alone. ⛓️ Constraints are a feature, not a bug Going full-time indie can actually hurt productivity if you lose the strict prioritization habits that made you effective when time was scarce. About Antoine van der Lee: 🚀 Indie Developer and Creator of SwiftLee, a platform for iOS developers, and RocketSim, a tool that streamlines testing and simulating apps in Xcode. 👋 LinkedIn 🌐 Learn more about RocketSim 🎧Learn more about the Going Indie Podcast 📖 Read Antoine’s developer blog at SwiftLee Follow us on X: Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc RevenueCat - @RevenueCat Launched - @LaunchedFM Episode Highlights: [0:00] Introduction to Antoine van der Lee and the story behind RocketSim [2:15] How Antoine started in iOS development and his early career journey [5:05] The creation of Swiftly: Antoine's approach to writing and sharing knowledge [7:40] The launch of RocketSim: From an internal tool to a public product [10:12] The challenges of developing a useful Xcode simulator tool [12:31] Antoine's approach to growing RocketSim without focusing on traditional marketing [15:22] The evolution of RocketSim: Expanding features and listening to users [18:05] How Antoine used his blog and newsletter to support RocketSim's growth [21:40] The balance between RocketSim as a product and maintaining a sustainable indie business [24:25] The impact of the App Store: Sales model and challenges [27:11] RocketSim’s transition into enterprise sales and selling to teams [30:03] Hiring for RocketSim: Bringing in the right people to scale without losing focus [33:20] The evolution of the RocketSim website and customer experience improvements [36:05] Antoine's experience with creating a full-time indie business alongside a family [39:00] Dealing with the growth of RocketSim and managing multiple projects at once [42:10] Insights into Antoine’s shift from a full-time job to an indie developer [45:35] The role of personal branding and community connections in RocketSim's success [48:10] The value of networking and connecting with others in the iOS community [51:05] Moving from product development to managing a business [54:01] Reflection on growth, work-life balance, and achieving indie success [56:22] Key takeaways for indie founders and AI product builders today

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87: Pediapal & Auralog – Adrian Eves

On the podcast: Adrian Eves about his path from Apple’s accessibility team to indie app development, building Pediapal and Auralog from personal health challenges. We cover lessons from launching, redesigning with Liquid Glass, navigating App Store features, and how community—from iOS Dev Happy Hour to Swift Sonic—has fueled his growth. Top Takeaways: 🤝 Your community is your safety net If you get laid off, it's the people you've supported who will support you right back, creating a crucial buffer during uncertain times. 😠 Turn frustration into features The most compelling app ideas often come from solving your own, real-life problems, giving you an authentic perspective on what users truly need. 🚀 Ship it, then ship it again Your first version won’t be perfect, and that's the point. The real work, and the best learning, starts after you hit publish and begin iterating. 🎤 You don’t need permission to build If you have an idea that you're passionate about, just start building. Don't wait for the perfect time or an external green light. 💡 Spite can be a great motivator A little bit of friendly competition or a desire to prove something can be the exact push you need to finally ship your app. About Adrian Eves: 🚀 Indie App Developer and Creator of Pediapal, an app that makes it simple for families to track their child's health, & Auralog, a migraine tracker to help you take control of your migraines and headache history. 👋LinkedIn 🌐Learn more about CommunityKit 🎵Learn more about Swiftsonic Follow us on X: Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc RevenueCat - @RevenueCat Launched - @LaunchedFM Episode Highlights: [0:00] Introduction to Adrian Eves: From Apple’s accessibility team to indie app developer [3:30] The power of community: iOS Dev Happy Hour and how relationships opened unexpected doors [8:45] Landing at Apple: Accessibility work and designing technology that truly helps people [14:20] The layoff pivot: Turning uncertainty into motivation to finally ship an indie app [18:10] Building Pediapal: Solving the real-world problem of tracking kids’ health [24:00] Launch day lessons: Why shipping is emotional—and what happens after the high fades [28:30] WWDC as an indie: Experiencing Dub Dub differently when you have your own app [32:40] The Liquid Glass redesign: Rebuilding Pediapal from scratch and chasing an App Store feature [38:15] Marketing reality check: Why a local TV appearance outperformed App Store hopes [42:50] Spite-driven development: Building Auralog in under a month to solve chronic migraines [47:10] Focus and traction: Why Auralog’s narrow, search-driven use case gained momentum [52:30] Monetization strategy: Freemium models, paywalls, and learning ASO from other indies [57:45] CommunityKit: Creating a physical hub for developers during WWDC week [1:02:30] Swift Sonic: Designing a music-inspired conference with built-in mentorship [1:07:15] Final reflections: Building for real people, leaning on community, and growing through each iteration

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86: Swipe the cat – Adam Lyttle

On the podcast, I talk with Adam Lyttle about his journey from web development to indie app success, the lessons learned from failure, and how creating apps with passion and a focus on viral trends can lead to unexpected growth. We also dive into the challenges of monetizing apps, transitioning to native development, and balancing creative projects with business goals. Top Takeaways: 💡 Overcoming burnout through reinvention After facing a tough personal and business setback, Adam stepped away from tech and even started a lawn-mowing business. This period away helped him regain his passion for app development by allowing space for reinvention and creativity. 📈 Volume is a form of practice Committing to a consistent shipping schedule, even without immediate financial goals, is one of the most effective ways to accelerate skill development and build a foundation for future success. 🧩 The importance of market validation before building Adam emphasizes the value of market research and validation before committing time to an app idea. He uses tools like Astro to assess demand for an idea, ensuring he targets the right audience for each app he creates. 💰 Monetization comes after value creation Adam’s focus was always on creating something valuable first—for instance, his early success came from building an app that resonated with users, such as his tarot app. He later learned that monetization strategies like paywalls could take his business to the next level, driving revenue growth. 💡 Embrace AI as a tool, not a shortcut While Adam has experimented with AI tools like ChatGPT and Sora to speed up app creation, he stresses that the key to success isn’t outsourcing creativity but using AI to enhance and streamline the process of building high-quality apps. 🎮 Craft and fun drive long-term satisfaction Adam’s game, "Swipe the cat," taught him a lot about balancing fun, visuals, and the viral nature of app growth. While monetization didn't take off as expected, he realized that the enjoyment of creating something delightful and playful could still drive future success and innovation. About Adam Lyttle: 🎤 Indie App Developer and Creator of Swipe the cat 📱 Adam Lyttle is a prolific indie app developer with a passion for creating simple yet impactful mobile experiences. Based in Australia, Adam is known for developing over 30 active iOS apps, including the popular Swipe the cat game. With a background in self-taught programming, Adam transitioned from building shareware and web development to focusing on the iOS ecosystem. His journey reflects a blend of resilience, creativity, and constant learning, with a focus on user-driven design and monetization strategies. 👋 LinkedIn 🖥️ Website 👾 Github 📷 Instagram 💭 @adamlyttleapps on X Follow us on X: Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc RevenueCat - @RevenueCat Launched - @LaunchedFM Episode Highlights: [0:00] Introduction to Adam Lyttle and his journey from web development to indie app development [2:40] The "cool table" at WWDC: How Adam connected with big names in the developer community [4:30] The role of failure in shaping Adam’s career: From web development collapse to lawn mowing business [7:00] Returning to tech: How Adam's lawn mowing business inspired his app development journey [9:55] From Shareware to iOS apps: How Adam's passion for computers evolved into indie app development [12:15] Building apps to make an impact: Adam’s drive to leave a positive legacy after his business failure [15:03] How Adam learned app development through trial and error: Building an app every month for a year [18:00] The early days: Adam's first successful app and how he stumbled upon the magic formula [21:45] Moving from free apps to monetization: The turning point that boosted Adam's revenue [23:20] Challenges of monetizing apps and the importance of app store optimization [26:05] Breaking into SwiftUI: Adam’s transition to native development and learning new frameworks [30:10] Creating for passion vs. profit: Adam’s balance between fun projects like Piano Run and money-making apps [34:02] The viral Swipe the cat game: How Adam tapped into a viral TikTok trend for success [38:10] Monetization struggles: Why Adam believes game apps are hard to make profitable [40:15] Lessons from Swipe the cat: How Adam optimized for viral success, not just app store keywords [43:02] The ongoing challenge of balancing creative passion with business growth [46:00] Adam’s advice on building apps that people will care about, beyond the keyword-driven approach [50:12] Final thoughts: The importance of learning from both successes and failures in indie app development

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85: Helm – Hidde van der Ploeg and Pol Piella

On the podcast, I sit down with Pol and Hidde to discuss the frustrations developers face with App Store Connect, how they turned their own pain points into Helm, and why automating app launches and translations has become a game-changer for indie developers. Top Takeaways: 💡 Build for the pain, not the platform Helm wasn’t born out of a market analysis — it came from frustration with App Store Connect. By starting with their own workflow pain points, they built something instantly useful to the exact audience they belong to: app developers. Real problems create real product-market fit. 🎯 Focus beats feature parity Instead of cloning App Store Connect, Helm rebuilds only the parts developers hate — and makes them effortless. That means obsessing over friction points like AI-powered translations and fast TestFlight access. By doing less, but doing it brilliantly, they turn a clunky chore into a tool devs love. 🌱 Delight is the best growth strategy Helm’s growth didn’t come from paid ads or clever SEO. It came from users who felt seen. When a dev complains about App Store Connect on X, someone else inevitably replies: “Just use Helm.” That kind of advocacy only happens when your product delights the right people. 👕 Marketing is memory-making Sponsoring an amateur football team named “Swift” wasn’t about CAC. It was about building brand lore. Great indie products often grow by being fun, weird, and memorable. In a world of optimized funnels, personality is differentiation. 📱 Mobile is a chance to surprise When bringing Helm to iOS, they didn’t just shrink the desktop app, they leaned into what mobile does best. Helm Passport, an App Clip-powered networking feature, added a playful, real-world twist that got people talking (and sharing). Great mobile UX doesn’t just port — it reinvents. 🤝Shared ownership beats rigid roles Although both co-founders have different backgrounds, they don’t strictly divide design and engineering. Both touch the whole product, jump in where needed, and stay deeply familiar with the codebase. That overlap keeps the team fast, resilient, and aligned. About Hidde and Pol: 🚀 Co-Founders of Helm 📱 Hidde van de Ploeg is a designer-turned-developer and co-founder of Helm, an app that simplifies the App Store Connect experience. With a background in design and indie app development, Hidde has worked on several successful projects before launching Helm, which has quickly gained a loyal following among developers. 👋 LinkedIn 👨‍💻 Pol Piella is a software engineer and the co-founder of Helm. Originally from Barcelona, Pol has a background in electronic engineering and iOS development. He co-created Helm to address the pain points developers face when working with App Store Connect, aiming to provide a seamless, efficient solution. 👋 LinkedIn Follow us on X: Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc RevenueCat - @RevenueCat Launched - @LaunchedFM Episode Highlights: [0:00] Helm’s promotion by users instead of creators [0:19] Introduction of Pol Piella and Hidde van de Ploeg [1:27] Pol's elevator pitch of Helm [3:09] Pol and Hidde's background and their collaboration [5:47] The idea behind Helm and the App Store Connect frustration [9:36] Challenges with the App Store Connect API [12:07] Helm’s compliance with Apple and review process delays [16:09] How WWDC helped get the app approved [18:11] The launch of Helm and user-driven promotion [20:42] Fun marketing strategy: sponsoring a football team [23:54] Reinvesting profits into AI features and marketing [25:20] Low churn rate and stable growth [28:06] Key features making Helm valuable for developers [30:59] The iOS version of Helm and its impact on user engagement [33:27] The "Helm Passport" feature for conferences [35:15] Helm’s development in SwiftUI [39:00] Collaboration and overcoming challenges in SwiftUI [41:11] Teamwork dynamic between Pol and Hidde [44:06] Improving customer support with Harbor tool [45:44] Harbor’s potential as a future SaaS product [47:12] Growth and long-term focus of Helm [50:30] Helm’s vision for quality and user feedback [52:25] Future plans and expansions for Helm

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84: HabitKit – Sebastian Röhl

On the podcast, I talk with Sebastian about the power of building in public, how persistence pays off when growth is slow, and why focusing on user needs and iterative improvement can lead to unexpected success in indie app development. Top Takeaways: 💡 Building in public isn’t a marketing trick — it’s a momentum engine Sebastian didn’t have a marketing budget when he launched his first apps. Instead, he built in public, sharing screenshots, updates, and revenue transparently on X (Twitter). This not only brought early users but also helped him stay motivated through long stretches of slow growth. 🧩 Success comes from clarity, not complexity His first app, LiftBear, was a workout tracker that tried to do too much. It didn’t fail to live up to expectations because it was bad — it didn’t succeed because it wasn’t distinct. HabitKit, on the other hand, had a single, instantly recognizable visual hook: a GitHub-style contribution grid that turned habit tracking into a game of consistency. 🚀 Patience pays off — app store algorithms can change your life overnight After months of steady updates and reviews, HabitKit suddenly began ranking for “habit tracker” in several major markets — without any new marketing push. The result: downloads and revenue skyrocketed. 💰 Lifetime plans build trust — even if you love subscriptions All of Sebastian’s apps use a freemium model, with monthly, annual, and lifetime options. He believes offering a one-time purchase alongside subscriptions reduces friction and builds goodwill among users who hate recurring payments. 🧠 Building a new app can reignite your creativity After three years of improving HabitKit, Sebastian started to feel burned out. His new app, FocusKit, gave him a chance to learn SwiftUI, experiment with Apple’s new Liquid Glass aesthetic, and explore productivity from a fresh angle. About Sebastian Röhl: 🎤 Founder and CEO of HabitKit & FocusKit 📱 Sebastian Röhl is a passionate indie app developer and tech entrepreneur. With a background in computer science and a drive for solving real-world problems, he created HabitKit and FocusKit to help users build productive habits and stay focused. After working at top software companies, Sebastian followed his entrepreneurial spirit, focusing on mobile apps that combine simplicity with powerful functionality. 👋 LinkedIn 💻 Substack https://sebastianroehl.substack.com/ Follow us on X: Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc RevenueCat - @RevenueCat Launched - @LaunchedFM Episode Highlights: [0:00] Introduction to Sebastian Röhl and his journey into indie app development [2:20] The power of building in public: How sharing your process helps you grow [5:41] Persistence in the face of slow growth: Why consistency is key to success [9:02] Focusing on user needs: How Sebastian’s personal challenges shaped his apps [12:45] From LiftBare to HabitKit: Pivoting after initial setbacks [16:00] The importance of simplicity and design in HabitKit and FocusKit [19:55] Using feedback and iteration to improve your product over time [24:30] How small wins, like app store ranking boosts, can lead to bigger success [28:10] Learning from competitors, but staying true to your own vision [32:05] The role of data in guiding decisions and refining your product [36:15] Why Sebastian chose SwiftUI for FocusKit and the importance of native development [40:02] Continuing to build and evolve: How building in public keeps you motivated [43:45] The importance of not rushing to judgment: Embracing learning and testing in the process [47:02] Insights on the future of indie app development and staying innovative [49:55] Final thoughts on how to balance building apps and long-term growth

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83: NaadSadhana – Sandeep Ranade

On the podcast, I talk with Sandeep about how a frustrated student’s struggle inspired him to create NaadSadhana, a revolutionary AI-driven app that helps singers perfect their pitch in real time. We dive into how his journey—from Microsoft and Google engineer to Apple Design Award-winning musician—shows what happens when art and technology truly harmonize. Top Takeaways: 🎵 Build for Passion, Not Just Profit Sandeep didn’t set out to build a business—he built NaadSadhana to help one struggling student. Solving a personal, meaningful problem led to a product that resonated deeply with others. Passion-first can still lead to product-market fit. 🧠 Invent What Doesn’t Exist No app could help singers practice pitch accurately. So Sandeep built one—then layered in AI to simulate a responsive, collaborative band. When off-the-shelf solutions don’t exist, invent your own, especially if you're the first customer. 🔄 Iterate Like an Artist Despite winning an Apple Design Award, Sandeep rewrote the app from scratch to add more instruments and complexity. Don’t let accolades freeze you. Treat your product like a living artwork—refine, rebuild, and evolve. 🧘 Stay Human in the Age of AI Sandeep calls his AI "artistic intelligence." It doesn't replace musicians—it empowers them. He built ethical constraints into the app to keep it human-feeling. Augment people, don’t automate them out of the process. 📣 Word of Mouth Over Paid Ads NaadSadhana grew organically through teachers, students, and artists sharing it. No marketing team. No budget. Just a product that solved real problems and delighted users. Focus on creating “wow”—and trust the users to spread the word. 🎛 Obsess Over Craft From psychoacoustics to sub-millisecond latency to modeling physical string vibrations, Sandeep sweats every detail most users will never see. Excellence compounds. When you build with care, it shows—even when people don’t know why. About Sandeep Ranade: 🎤 Founder and CEO of NaadSadhana 📱 Sandeep Ranade is a passionate Hindustani classical musician and tech entrepreneur. Combining his deep knowledge of music and cutting-edge technology, he created an app that helps users improve their vocal precision. After a career at top tech companies, Sandeep pursued his passion for teaching and carried it to NaadSadhana, with a goal of music without barriers. 👋 LinkedIn 🔍 Wikipedia 💻 Website Follow us on X: Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc RevenueCat - @RevenueCat Launched - @LaunchedFM Episode Highlights: [0:00] Sandeep's journey from tech to music [2:15] How NaadSadhana was born out of a need in music education [5:30] The challenges of developing a music app for vocal training [9:45] NaadSadhana’s unique approach to vocal tuning and feedback [15:20] The role of psychoacoustics and signal processing in the app's technology [22:10] How Sandeep balanced his tech career with his passion for classical music [28:55] The evolution of NaadSadhana and its growth over time [35:12] The impact of the Apple Design Award on NaadSadhana's success [42:20] Sandeep’s thoughts on creating a truly artist-centered app [48:05] How NaadSadhana fosters better practice habits for musicians [53:30] The app's influence on the Indian classical music community [59:40] What’s next for NaadSadhana: expanding features and reaching more musicians

82: Annual Christmas Special – Jordan Morgan

On the podcast, I talk with Jordan about the power of seasonal business cycles, why refining your ad strategy can unlock growth, and how passion-driven apps can still find market fit without a huge marketing budget. Top Takeaways: 🎯 Understand Your Seasonal Business Cycles Jordan's app, Elite Hoops, thrives during basketball season, with the bulk of revenue generated from October to March. Recognizing and aligning your business to seasonal trends is key to maximizing growth during peak times. 💡 Optimize Your Ads for Success After spending $16K on ads with little success, Jordan realized his strategy needed an overhaul. With help from a marketing agency, he’s now refining his approach with stronger creatives, proper attribution, and new tools like the Facebook SDK to drive more effective, scalable campaigns. 🛠 Reinvest in Your Business to Fuel Growth With Elite Hoops generating consistent revenue, Jordan plans to reinvest in marketing and development to accelerate growth and maximize the business’s potential. Treat your business as a growing asset and reinvest in it to reach new heights. 🎨 Craft Apps You’re Proud Of Jordan’s approach with apps like Elite Hoops and Alyx is a mix of business focus and creative fulfillment. Whether it's solving a real-world problem or building an app for personal enjoyment, passion and craftsmanship always shine through. 🌍 Don’t Overlook the Power of Organic Growth Elite Hoops grew without a large marketing budget or paid ads, relying heavily on word of mouth within the coaching community. Focus on delivering a product that resonates with your users, and let them help you grow your brand naturally. About Jordan Morgan: 🎤 Indie App Developer & Developer Advocate 📱 Jordan Morgan is a seasoned indie app developer and product builder known for creating thoughtfully crafted apps like Elite Hoops and Alyx. With a deep appreciation for design, platform-native experiences, and long-term sustainability, Jordan blends craftsmanship with business pragmatism. After years of building, selling, and reacquiring apps—and working as a developer advocate—he continues to explore what it means to build software that lasts, balancing growth, seasonality, and joy in the creative process. 👋 LinkedIn 💭 Follow Jordan on X - @JordanMorgan10 Follow us on X: Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc RevenueCat - @RevenueCat Launched - @LaunchedFM Episode Highlights: [0:00] Jordan’s transition from indie app development to developer advocate. [3:20] The creation of Elite Hoops and its focus on helping basketball coaches. [7:05] The challenges of marketing niche apps and refining paid ad strategies. [12:30] Understanding seasonal revenue cycles and how they impact app growth. [17:10] Working with a marketing agency to improve ad creatives and attribution. [22:45] The emotional journey of reacquiring Spint Stack after selling it. [28:00] Balancing passion projects with sustainable business growth. [33:30] The importance of craftsmanship and solving real problems in app development. [40:15] How word-of-mouth and organic growth fueled Elite Hoops’ success. [45:50] The technical challenges of scaling an indie app with limited resources. [50:25] Staying motivated and focused on building apps users genuinely appreciate. [55:00] What’s next for Jordan’s apps and his future in indie development.

• Transcript

81: Word Tiles – Taiwo Omisore

On the podcast I talk with Taiwo about building games that are meant to be deleted, finding success by leaning into low retention instead of fighting it, and how a single unconventional idea led to Apple featuring his work and changing his career. Top Takeaways 🎨 Creativity Can Beat the Odds The games industry is so well-established that at first glance it may seem almost useless to try to enter the market as an indie developer, but all it can take is a truly original idea to pry open the gates and gain a foothold. 📣 Lean Into Building In Public There’s little as scary as putting yourself and your work out there for feedback but building publicly and sharing updates on platforms like Twitter provides both an accountability boost and can be a treasure trove of free insights from your future audience. 💪 The Power Of Persistence Making a living from building apps can take time, patience, and a dash of luck. When that persistence does pay off though, it can translate into a much stronger app creation pipeline once going full-time becomes an option. 💭 Defy Imposter Syndrome Nowadays, more than ever, a technical background in coding is no longer a hard prerequisite to building great apps. Thanks to new tools, app creators can come from all spheres, and what unites them is one (or more) great idea(s). 📚 Educate And Inspire Everyone needs to make a living, but often the most rewarding part of the app creation journey is the opportunity to educate and inspire people. These non-profit activities help lower the barrier for budding app creators and enrich the industry as a whole. About Taiwo Omisore: 🎮 Indie iOS Game Developer. 📱 Taiwo has built 15 mobile apps mixing creativity and simplicity. His viral hit One Chance sparked a full-time indie career shaped by small experiments, real-world playtesting, and a deep focus on joy, community, and meaningful interaction. 👋 LinkedIn Follow us on X: Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc RevenueCat - @RevenueCat Resources: Tai’s Website - https://www.taiomi.com/ Taiwo feature on the App Store - https://apps.apple.com/gb/story/id1586633273 Tai’s inspirations Shaun Donnelly - https://codakuma.com/ Lena Stöxen - https://fancygoose.dev/about/ Josh Newton - https://www.joshua.design/about Follow us on X: Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc RevenueCat - @RevenueCat Launched - @LaunchedFM Episode Highlights: [0:00] A game meant to be deleted after one play [2:19] From art school to coding apps on a 3-hour commute [4:12] Why Taiwo tested his first game on train passengers [7:09] The moment he got hooked on shipping apps [12:36] Designing a digital art exhibit from a simple app idea [18:16] The unexpected breakout of One Chance and what triggered it [23:06] Going from a side hustle to being featured on the App Store front page [29:35] Making revenue without chasing retention or daily active users [35:08] Why Taiwo shifted to subscriptions with MultiWords and 10 Games [42:11] Building and promoting apps in public, from TikTok to sidewalks [51:44] Why Taiwo shares his indie journey online and in real life