88: SwiftLee – Antoine van der Lee

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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/briasullivan/] 🌐 Learn more about Focus Friend [https://www.yourfocusfriend.com/] 🌐 Learn more about Boba Story [https://www.bubbleteagame.com/boba-story] Follow us on X:  * Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc [https://twitter.com/_chuckyc] * RevenueCat - @RevenueCat [https://twitter.com/RevenueCat] * Launched - @LaunchedFM [https://twitter.com/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

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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-allen-5746671b/] 🌐 Learn more about Teleprompter Pro [https://teleprompterpro.com/] 🌐 Learn more about Captions [https://captions.app/] https://teleprompterpro.com/ Follow us on X:  * Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc [https://twitter.com/_chuckyc] * RevenueCat - @RevenueCat [https://twitter.com/RevenueCat] * Launched - @LaunchedFM [https://twitter.com/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

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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederik-riedel/]  🌐 Learn more about one sec [https://one-sec.app/] Follow us on X:  * Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc [https://twitter.com/_chuckyc] * RevenueCat - @RevenueCat [https://twitter.com/RevenueCat] * Launched - @LaunchedFM [https://twitter.com/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

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  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajvanderlee/] 🌐 Learn more about RocketSim [https://www.rocketsim.app/] 🎧Learn more about the Going Indie [https://podcast.going-indie.com/] Podcast 📖 Read Antoine’s developer blog at SwiftLee [https://www.avanderlee.com/] Follow us on X:  * Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc [https://twitter.com/_chuckyc] * RevenueCat - @RevenueCat [https://twitter.com/RevenueCat] Launched - @LaunchedFM [https://twitter.com/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

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 [https://www.pediapal.app/], an app that makes it simple for families to track their child's health, & Auralog [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/migraine-tracker-auralog/id6752360306], a migraine tracker to help you take control of your migraines and headache history. 👋LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-eves-06368844/] 🌐Learn more about CommunityKit [https://communitykit.social/] 🎵Learn more about Swiftsonic [https://swiftsonicconf.com/]  Follow us on X:  * Charlie Chapman - @_chuckyc [https://twitter.com/_chuckyc] * RevenueCat - @RevenueCat [https://twitter.com/RevenueCat] * Launched - @LaunchedFM [https://twitter.com/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