Launched by RevenueCat

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 PatternEpisode 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

On the podcast, I talk to Aja Beckett about the challenges of building for the community you belong to, the power of organic growth, the user feedback that helped shape the app, and the support gap for GLP-1 users.Top Takeaways: 🛠️ Build with Authenticity Aja’s journey from social anxiety to a GLP-1 tracking app started with solving her own problem. By deeply understanding her community's pain points, she created a product that resonates with real users, not just the market.📈 Community-Driven Growth Rather than relying on paid ads, Aja grew the app through organic word of mouth. The GLP-1 medication subreddit became a launchpad, with users eager to share and promote the app. This grassroots, authentic growth drove both engagement and loyalty.📊 Focus on Data-Driven Insights Aja's app uses data visualization to help users track their medication journey, creating a tangible, shareable experience. By making health tracking both personal and visual, users are motivated to share their progress, which amplifies the app's visibility.📲 Lean Into What Works Aja learned the importance of App Store Optimization (ASO). By focusing on search terms like "GLP-1 tracker," the app naturally found its audience. It’s a clear reminder that effective product discovery often comes from aligning with what people are already searching for.💡 Start Small, Think BigAja pivoted from a small, personal project to a scalable business by expanding her team when needed. Whether it's through funding or hiring the right talent, knowing when to take the leap and grow is key to maintaining momentum in a fast-moving space.⚖️ Balance Profit with PurposeWhen raising funds, Aja ensured her investors shared the same vision of prioritizing user needs over short-term profits. Building a sustainable business model centered on real value for users, while avoiding a "cash grab" mentality, allowed her to stay true to the mission.About Aja Beckett: 🛫 Founder of Shotsy 📱 Aja Beckett created Shotsy, the go-to mobile app for GLP-1 medication tracking. She turned her personal health journey into a product loved by thousands, focusing on authenticity, user-first design, and a mission to empower people on similar paths.👋LinkedIn Follow us on X: Charlie Chapman - @_chuckycRevenueCat - @RevenueCatLaunched - @LaunchedFM Episode Highlights: [0:00] The elevator pitch: tracking GLP-1 treatment with Shotsy[1:26] From film and animation to a self-taught developer[4:49] The painful shutdown of a promising moderation platform[6:02] Learning to code out of necessity at TED[10:05] Shutting down a startup and painting over the logo[12:18] Why mobile apps became the best way forward[18:03] Shifting from language learning to citizenship prep to health[23:45] Solving her own GLP-1 tracking needs with data[32:35] Beta launch insights: side effects, customization, and community[36:59] Keeping core features free for a mission-driven business model[47:35] How staying user-first helps Shotsy avoid paid ads[58:26] Fundraising to compete with copycats and stay true to the mission

Klemens Strasser joins the show to talk about his indie iOS game development career, winning an Apple Design Award, and how he built and launched his latest game The Art of Fauna. Video Version Watch the video version on YouTube Links & Show Notes Klemens on Bluesky Klemens on Mastodon Klemens on Twitter Klemens website The Art of Fauna Flexibits Ryan McLeod Vidit Bhargava Patterned Alba ARCtic Conference AppleVis Riveo Josh Mobley Music Leo Mehlig Jordi Bruin Hidde van der Ploeg Andy Allen Frederik Riedel More Launched Youtube Channel Website - launchedfm.com Bluesky - @launchedfm.com Mastodon - @Launched@mastodon.social Threads - @LaunchedFM Twitter - @LaunchedFM

For our annual Christmas special, Jordan Morgan joins the show to talk life, indie careers, and an announcement on the future of Launched. Video Version Watch the video version on YouTube Links & Show Notes Swiftjective-C (Jordan's Blog) Jordan on Mastodon Jordan on Twitter A Best-in-Class iOS App Elite Hoops RevenueCat Superwall More Launched Youtube Channel Website - launchedfm.com Bluesky - @launchedfm.com Mastodon - @Launched@mastodon.social Threads - @LaunchedFM Twitter - @LaunchedFM

Christian Selig & Devin Davies join the show for a special video episode about the launch of Apple Vision Pro and both developer's apps, Juno and Crouton, that released on day one of the brand new App Store. Video episode on Youtube Links & Show Notes Devin Davies Twitter Mastodon Threads Christian Selig Twitter Mastodon Threads Crouton Juno Spatial Noise (Charlie's visionOS app) Wall Street Journal Vision Pro review featuring Crouton Rolli: 360° Video Player Wall Street Bull vs Bear More Launched Website - launchedfm.com Twitter - @LaunchedFM Mastodon - @Launched@mastodon.social Threads - @LaunchedFM Become a sponsor

Jonathan Ruiz joins the show to talk about building and launching the link saving app Bridges. Edited by Jonathan Ruiz Links & Show Notes Jonathan on Mastodon Bridges Relay FM Mark Fransen Swift Playgrounds Hacking with Swift 🚀 Rocket Patrons Cameron McEfee More Launched Website - launchedfm.com Twitter - @LaunchedFM Mastodon - @Launched@mastodon.social Threads - @LaunchedFM Become a sponsor

Ariel Michaeli, co-founder and CEO of AppFigures, joins the show to talk about his career and building and launching the popular mobile app intelligence and ASO service. Edited by Jonathan Ruiz Support Launched ⭐️ Become a member to support the show and get ad-free episodes! Links & Show Notes Ariel on Twitter AppFigures Neil Patel Steve P. Young CB Insights 🚀 Rocket Patrons Cameron McEfee More Launched Website - launchedfm.com Twitter - @LaunchedFM Mastodon - @Launched@mastodon.social Threads - @LaunchedFM Become a sponsor