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Been inspired by the Twitter community to start documenting my journey building @usespred - SaaS to help you cross-list your items to Ebay, Poshmark, Mercari and more.
I'll be using this thread to talk about updates/milestones/mistakes and everything in between
#openstartup
I'll be using this thread to talk about updates/milestones/mistakes and everything in between
#openstartup
For context...
- I've been part-time on @usespred outside of my assurance internship at EY (which is now done).
- 167 Email Subscribers.
- Spent ~$3000 in total. This includes the mvp, website, email, mockups.
- $0 in Revenue
- I've been part-time on @usespred outside of my assurance internship at EY (which is now done).
- 167 Email Subscribers.
- Spent ~$3000 in total. This includes the mvp, website, email, mockups.
- $0 in Revenue
Day 1
- Had difficulty implementing Typeform conversions as a Goal on Google Analytics.
- Took my first stab at paid ads on Reddit (r/flipping). $5 a day. Results look promising.
- Looking through submissions in regards to ppl's previous experience using cross-listing tools.
- Had difficulty implementing Typeform conversions as a Goal on Google Analytics.
- Took my first stab at paid ads on Reddit (r/flipping). $5 a day. Results look promising.
- Looking through submissions in regards to ppl's previous experience using cross-listing tools.
Day 2
-Project with contractor's now on hold. Still mutual interest in a potential CTO role but we both agreed dev timeline is too long.
-Switching MVP to @AdaloHQ and manually doing back-end. (Thank you: @jeff_weinstein )
- #Nocode is powerful - product walkthrough post tmrw!
-Project with contractor's now on hold. Still mutual interest in a potential CTO role but we both agreed dev timeline is too long.
-Switching MVP to @AdaloHQ and manually doing back-end. (Thank you: @jeff_weinstein )
- #Nocode is powerful - product walkthrough post tmrw!
Day 3
- Almost finished front-end (& switched to Bubble): Looking to start testing with some people on my email list later this week.
- Reading @basecamp's shapeup: https://basecamp.com/shapeup .
- Emailed advisors with updates (similar to this thread but more condensed).
- Almost finished front-end (& switched to Bubble): Looking to start testing with some people on my email list later this week.
- Reading @basecamp's shapeup: https://basecamp.com/shapeup .
- Emailed advisors with updates (similar to this thread but more condensed).
Day 4
- Completed Front-End on Bubble. Testing all day tmrw & going to read on design.
- Just heard back and got into a pitch comp for August
.
- Messaged my network looking for a lead dev, planning on simultaneously building the code base while I'm building the no-code mvp.
- Completed Front-End on Bubble. Testing all day tmrw & going to read on design.
- Just heard back and got into a pitch comp for August
.- Messaged my network looking for a lead dev, planning on simultaneously building the code base while I'm building the no-code mvp.
Day 5
- Tested out Bubble myself, works pretty well. Just taking care of some design aspects - I've been thinking how "less is more". Testing delayed to tmrw.
- Made my first revenue (kinda?) from Spred. https://twitter.com/cunninghamkaito/status/1253094561179557888
- Spoke to a bunch of early adopters + insights!
- Tested out Bubble myself, works pretty well. Just taking care of some design aspects - I've been thinking how "less is more". Testing delayed to tmrw.
- Made my first revenue (kinda?) from Spred. https://twitter.com/cunninghamkaito/status/1253094561179557888
- Spoke to a bunch of early adopters + insights!
Day 6
- Bubble API plug-ins stopped working for me, (sadly didn't achieve too much today), going to re-visit this problem tomorrow.
- Had two calls - one with my advisor who's been helping me with recruiting + building a no-code mvp.
- 173 Email Subs
- Finished Shape Up
- Bubble API plug-ins stopped working for me, (sadly didn't achieve too much today), going to re-visit this problem tomorrow.
- Had two calls - one with my advisor who's been helping me with recruiting + building a no-code mvp.
- 173 Email Subs
- Finished Shape Up
Day 7
- Reading principles of Product Design from @InVisionApp
- Had one CTO interview.
- Planned next 2 week objectives (finding a CTO, building the mvp, prepping deck).
- Talking to freelancers to implement Ebay + Etsy API on bubble, sadly couldn't figure this out myself.
- Reading principles of Product Design from @InVisionApp
- Had one CTO interview.
- Planned next 2 week objectives (finding a CTO, building the mvp, prepping deck).
- Talking to freelancers to implement Ebay + Etsy API on bubble, sadly couldn't figure this out myself.
Day 8
- Hired a freelancer to get the API's on bubble to work out. Trouble is Etsy uses Oauth 1 while Ebay is Oauth 2.
- Synced up google analytics spreadsheet add on: https://developers.google.com/analytics/solutions/google-analytics-spreadsheet-add-on
- Setting up a meeting with a couple of large reselling fb groups, see where it goes.
- Hired a freelancer to get the API's on bubble to work out. Trouble is Etsy uses Oauth 1 while Ebay is Oauth 2.
- Synced up google analytics spreadsheet add on: https://developers.google.com/analytics/solutions/google-analytics-spreadsheet-add-on
- Setting up a meeting with a couple of large reselling fb groups, see where it goes.
Day 9
- Learned about SAFEs and Priced Equity Rounds by Kirsty Nathoo:
- Looked into pre-money valuations (scorecard, vc, berkus): https://medium.com/humble-ventures/3-ways-angel-investors-value-pre-revenue-startups-ee05c81c6d80
- 181 Email Subscribers
- Conversion Rate increase from 1.49% to 4.59% the week before.
- Learned about SAFEs and Priced Equity Rounds by Kirsty Nathoo:
- Looked into pre-money valuations (scorecard, vc, berkus): https://medium.com/humble-ventures/3-ways-angel-investors-value-pre-revenue-startups-ee05c81c6d80
- 181 Email Subscribers
- Conversion Rate increase from 1.49% to 4.59% the week before.
Day 10
- Etsy oAuth1 API (substantially) completed
- Adding call function to make it work and testing tmrw
- Made personal fb profile for Spred a couple days ago - first waitlist signup from FB
- Switched strategy from manually handling pw's to using Ebay/Etsy public api's
- Etsy oAuth1 API (substantially) completed
- Adding call function to make it work and testing tmrw
- Made personal fb profile for Spred a couple days ago - first waitlist signup from FB
- Switched strategy from manually handling pw's to using Ebay/Etsy public api's
Day 11
- Requested full access to @etsyapi - call to create listing wasn't working, but all get requests worked
- Had a call with a senior dev at Vinted + 2 potential CTO calls
- Caught up on chat msgs. 1 person has been following up every week and I'm feeling that pressure
- Requested full access to @etsyapi - call to create listing wasn't working, but all get requests worked
- Had a call with a senior dev at Vinted + 2 potential CTO calls
- Caught up on chat msgs. 1 person has been following up every week and I'm feeling that pressure
Day 12
- Finished a one pager outlining problem/solution/market/metrics
- Made a mistake in terms of applying for @etsyapi - applied again today for full access after revisions
- Had 3 CTO Interviews
-
customer discovery call with a reseller who owns a fb group!
- Finished a one pager outlining problem/solution/market/metrics
- Made a mistake in terms of applying for @etsyapi - applied again today for full access after revisions
- Had 3 CTO Interviews
-
customer discovery call with a reseller who owns a fb group!
13
Catching up on Principles of Product Design: https://designbetter.co/principles-of-product-design
Call w/ @RitaRoloff - talked about accelerators, the ideation stage, vc $, no-code, and internships
2nd round of
's with cofounders, where I've been looking for intent > experience
Etsy Oauth vid
Catching up on Principles of Product Design: https://designbetter.co/principles-of-product-design
Call w/ @RitaRoloff - talked about accelerators, the ideation stage, vc $, no-code, and internships
2nd round of
's with cofounders, where I've been looking for intent > experienceEtsy Oauth vid
14
Etsy Oauth1 Full Access Granted
3's with technical co-founders. I think I might have found the right fit, & we'll see where it goes from here.
Excited to build code base. We're on the same page regarding equity.
Substantially finished biweekly board & mentor update
Etsy Oauth1 Full Access Granted
3
's with technical co-founders. I think I might have found the right fit, & we'll see where it goes from here. Excited to build code base. We're on the same page regarding equity.
Substantially finished biweekly board & mentor update
Day 15
Took a screen break today!
Read a bit of...
- principles of product design @InVisionApp
- tools of titans @tferriss
- design course by @figmadesign
Created + scheduled some social media content for the next 2 weeks with @latermedia
Took a screen break today! Read a bit of... - principles of product design @InVisionApp
- tools of titans @tferriss
- design course by @figmadesign
Created + scheduled some social media content for the next 2 weeks with @latermedia
Day 16
- Worked on database, & fixing a hiccup with the ShippingTemplate, which could only do flat amounts. Took a couple of hrs to fix but good now!
- Updated the copy on my email automation series on @Mailchimp. Analytics attached
- Started learning javascript @Codecademy
- Worked on database, & fixing a hiccup with the ShippingTemplate, which could only do flat amounts. Took a couple of hrs to fix but good now!
- Updated the copy on my email automation series on @Mailchimp. Analytics attached
- Started learning javascript @Codecademy
17
Ebay Oauth2 Completed.
Photo upload to Spred, which then uploads to Etsy works. This was the biggest challenge, and a custom plugin on Bubble had to be built.
Submitted @nvbc's round 2 application.
The upload form (1 form that helps you list everywhere) is being built now.
Ebay Oauth2 Completed.
Photo upload to Spred, which then uploads to Etsy works. This was the biggest challenge, and a custom plugin on Bubble had to be built.
Submitted @nvbc's round 2 application.
The upload form (1 form that helps you list everywhere) is being built now.
18
- Mapped out user onboarding sequence looking at some great examples: https://www.useronboard.com/
- Etsy's done
- Very, very rough mockup of the upload page - going to design tmrw
- Put up my first google adwords campaign with $150 in credits: https://ads.google.com/intl/en_ca/lp/coupons/
- Mapped out user onboarding sequence looking at some great examples: https://www.useronboard.com/
- Etsy's done
- Very, very rough mockup of the upload page - going to design tmrw
- Put up my first google adwords campaign with $150 in credits: https://ads.google.com/intl/en_ca/lp/coupons/
19
Worked on Ebay integration - redrafted onboarding flow so a user's info (like their address), only needs to be filled out once
Sent 5
's to the ppl on my waitlist who sell on Ebay & Etsy to start testing next week
First-time founders fundraising webinar with @lolitataub!
Worked on Ebay integration - redrafted onboarding flow so a user's info (like their address), only needs to be filled out once
Sent 5
's to the ppl on my waitlist who sell on Ebay & Etsy to start testing next weekFirst-time founders fundraising webinar with @lolitataub!
20
Wrote first post on Substack, outlining all my early stage marketing attempts.
Set up Google Ads, the CAC is pretty high - optimizing landing page tmrw.
Adding "condition", "brand", and "size" inputs on the upload form to integrate with Ebay - almost done mvp
Wrote first post on Substack, outlining all my early stage marketing attempts. Set up Google Ads, the CAC is pretty high - optimizing landing page tmrw. Adding "condition", "brand", and "size" inputs on the upload form to integrate with Ebay - almost done mvp
21
3 weeks - & MVP is now completed.
Use Case: Log in, fill out 1 form, click a button, post to eBay & Etsy.
Resellers are going to save tons of time with @usespred
Reflected on marketing efforts and releasing 1st newsletter!
https://kaito.substack.com/p/coming-soon
3 weeks - & MVP is now completed. Use Case: Log in, fill out 1 form, click a button, post to eBay & Etsy.
Resellers are going to save tons of time with @usespred Reflected on marketing efforts and releasing 1st newsletter!
https://kaito.substack.com/p/coming-soon
22
Cleaned up ui/ux for Spred
Scheduled interviews with Ebay and Etsy sellers to use Spred this week.
Applied to some scholarships for my school.
Prepared for class schedules + textbooks (taking classes from Mon - Wed).
Cleaned up ui/ux for Spred Scheduled interviews with Ebay and Etsy sellers to use Spred this week. Applied to some scholarships for my school. Prepared for class schedules + textbooks (taking classes from Mon - Wed).
Worked on ui/ux more today, & now I feel like I'm overthinking it.
Bought 3 books that were on my wishlist (Genghis Khan, Sapiens, Win Friends & Influence People).
Goal this week: Have 3 hypotheses for mvp, and interview 10 Ebay/Etsy Resellers that are on my waitlist.
Bought 3 books that were on my wishlist (Genghis Khan, Sapiens, Win Friends & Influence People).
Goal this week: Have 3 hypotheses for mvp, and interview 10 Ebay/Etsy Resellers that are on my waitlist.
23
Had my first day of school consisting of zoom lectures
Set up analytics on mvp with Mixpanel
Thought of a couple of hypotheses that I wanted to prove during my interviews.
What are some questions that you believe are essential when testing your mvp with customers?
Had my first day of school consisting of zoom lectures
Set up analytics on mvp with Mixpanel
Thought of a couple of hypotheses that I wanted to prove during my interviews.
What are some questions that you believe are essential when testing your mvp with customers?
24
Drafted up onboarding questions & set up custom fields on crm. Researched best practices, & loved this interactive guide by @GrowthDotDesign on @Superhuman: https://growth.design/case-studies/superhuman-user-onboarding/
Drafted up emails to send off to potential marketplace partners.
Almost at 200 on waitlist!
Drafted up onboarding questions & set up custom fields on crm. Researched best practices, & loved this interactive guide by @GrowthDotDesign on @Superhuman: https://growth.design/case-studies/superhuman-user-onboarding/
Drafted up emails to send off to potential marketplace partners.
Almost at 200 on waitlist!
25
Prepared for my first three onboarding calls with ppl on my waitlist tmrw - I'm so excited and can't wait (also super nervous)
Here's what a user sees after they connect their eBay & Etsy Accounts. Going to be spacing out the form fields a bit more so they cover the page.
Prepared for my first three onboarding calls with ppl on my waitlist tmrw - I'm so excited and can't wait (also super nervous)
Here's what a user sees after they connect their eBay & Etsy Accounts. Going to be spacing out the form fields a bit more so they cover the page.
26
Didn’t go as planned today
- the 3 calls I was gunna have today either re-scheduled or were no-shows.
Have 1 onboarding call booked for tmrw, and one for Sunday.
I learned zoom is too high of a barrier to signup and use, going to try using IG dms with resellers instead!
Didn’t go as planned today
- the 3 calls I was gunna have today either re-scheduled or were no-shows.Have 1 onboarding call booked for tmrw, and one for Sunday.
I learned zoom is too high of a barrier to signup and use, going to try using IG dms with resellers instead!
27
There's nothing better than a couple of error messages during the onboarding walkthrough
Worked on 4 bugs today - added the "enter weight" input so it can start working again.
We're at 205 on the waitlist
There's nothing better than a couple of error messages during the onboarding walkthrough
Worked on 4 bugs today - added the "enter weight" input so it can start working again.
We're at 205 on the waitlist
28
Took a day off today to recharge the batteries
Read “Genghis Khan Making of the Modern World” by Jack Weatherford and loving it!!
Took a day off today to recharge the batteries
Read “Genghis Khan Making of the Modern World” by Jack Weatherford and loving it!!
29
Onboarding call with a clothing reseller who owns a 32k+ fb group! She loved the "Save as Defaults" options, but wants more integrations.
Key objectives this week:
- More onboarding calls
- Learn + improve user journey
- Improve design (this just looks bad
)
Onboarding call with a clothing reseller who owns a 32k+ fb group! She loved the "Save as Defaults" options, but wants more integrations.
Key objectives this week:
- More onboarding calls
- Learn + improve user journey
- Improve design (this just looks bad
)
