130
from phd to entrepreneur, now my first app reached 500 users and I'm so happy
r/Entrepreneur
6/26/2025
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notion | Not mentioned | Productivity | Used for building systems |
| Obsidian | Not mentioned | Note-taking | Used for organizing thoughts |
| Todoist | Not mentioned | Task Management | Turn-by-turn task management |
| TickTick | Not mentioned | Task Management | Hybrid system usage |
| Habitica | Not mentioned | Gamified Task Management | Hybrid system usage |
| RescueTime | Not mentioned | Time Tracking | Used for tracking time |
| Toggl | Not mentioned | Time Tracking | Used for tracking time |
| Timeular | Not mentioned | Time Tracking | Physical time tracking device |
| Orakemu | Not mentioned | All-in-one Life Management | Gamified, integrates todos, time-tracking, journaling, planner; Focuses on life roles |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Existing productivity tools provide data without meaningful insights
- Difficulty managing procrastination and scattered focus
- Struggle to balance multiple life roles
- Tools require users to self-analyze data
- Overwhelmed by complexity of life management
Problems to Solve:
- Need for an all-in-one tool integrating journaling, todos, time-tracking, and planning
- Desire to visualize and balance life roles (e.g., Parent, Career, Self-Care)
- Seeking motivation through gamification and progress tracking
- Reducing friction in productivity by combining psychological approach with task management
Potential Solutions:
- Orakemu app: Combines multiple productivity features with gamification and life role framework
- Implementing recurring tasks, calendar integrations, and notes (as planned features)
- Adding audio features for voice-based planning/journaling in future
- Usage-based free trial instead of time-limited trial
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Building in public on social media (X, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc.)
- Organic marketing through community engagement (Reddit, Slack groups)
- Leveraging academic background for unique product positioning
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Sharing journey via daily posts and videos (100-day challenge)
- Utilizing personal story as marketing narrative
- Engaging in niche communities (e.g., ADHD, PhD students)
- Winning PhD thesis award for visibility
Monetization & Product:
- Subscription model with 14-day free trial (weekly/yearly plans)
- Prioritizing feature development based on user feedback (e.g., recurring tasks)
- Targeting specific user segments (freelancers, ADHD adults, PhD students)
- Validating product-market fit through early monetization
User Engagement:
- Cross-platform availability (web, iOS, Android) with offline sync
- Implementing streaks (245+ days user example)
- Planning community features like Discord/Twitter Spaces
- Directly responding to user feedback in comments