About this episode
On the podcast, I talk with Greg about knowing when to pivot, why most consumer apps shouldn't raise VC, and why making free trials optional outperformed making them the default.Top Takeaways: ? Know When to Pivot Wrangle struggled because it wasn’t solving a real problem. Burner succeeded because it met a clear need. Don’t be afraid to pivot when the product isn’t working.?Most Consumer Apps Don’t Need VCVenture capital can be a blessing but also a curse. If you attract investment that doesn’t line up with your product vision or culture, the cash injection can turn out to be a costly mistake. Building a business that pays for itself is a better fit for most founders. ? Focus on Retention Success is about keeping users, not just acquiring them. Burner’s ability to retain users, even short-term ones, proved its value. If users keep coming back, you’ve found something meaningful.? Trials, Errors, WinsTesting was crucial to Burner’s growth. Every experiment was a learning opportunity. Don’t guess—test continuously, especially pricing, to find what drives retention and revenue.? Small Changes, Big Results Minor tweaks, like switching to a free trial, led to significant growth. Optimize for retention with quick, simple changes. Even minor adjustments can have a substantial impact on results.About Greg Cohn: ? Founder and CEO of Ad Hoc Labs? Greg Cohn is the founder of Burner, the leading mobile app for managing personal privacy through disposable phone numbers. With a passion for solving real-world problems, Greg transitioned from an early startup failure to building a successful business that prioritizes user privacy, simplicity, and seamless functionality.? LinkedIn ? Text Greg’s Burner: (323) 579-1830??? Open Roles at Ad Hoc Labs (Mention “Sub Club” to get a closer look at your resume.)Follow us on X: David Barnard - @drbarnardJacob Eiting - @jeitingRevenueCat - @RevenueCatSubClub - @SubClubHQEpisode Highlights:[0:00] The concept behind Wrangle, Greg’s first app[1:39] Twilio’s role in developing Wrangle and early challenges[3:24] Burner’s breakthrough with the “burner” feature for privacy[9:42] Wrangle’s pivot and what went wrong[13:36] Moving from paid downloads to a subscription model for Burner[24:47] Importance of user feedback in shaping the Burner product
