In an age where many aspire to launch successful startups, Andre Haykal Jr. stands out with his remarkable achievement. He built a million-dollar SaaS (Software as a Service) company in just 87 days, using a unique strategy that’s rarely discussed. Here’s his story and how he did it.

The Journey Begins

Andre, an entrepreneur for seven years, launched an app called List Kit, a SaaS product that provides cold email services. Cold email involves finding someone’s email address online and sending them a pitch, a technique used by salespeople, business owners, freelancers, and solopreneurs to reach potential clients. Within the first six months, List Kit had its first 1,000 paying customers. Today, nearly a year into the business, it boasts over 1,500 paying customers, with a pricing model starting at $97 a month.

However, Andre’s journey to success was anything but smooth. At one point, he was on the verge of giving up after burning through tens of thousands of dollars on developers and designers who couldn’t deliver. The turning point came when a student from his coaching program, Oliver, offered the exact expertise needed to bring the idea to life. Six months later, List Kit was relaunched, and within 87 days, it reached a million dollars in annual recurring revenue (ARR).

The Secret Sauce: Productized Services

The cornerstone of Andre’s success lies in the concept of “productized services.” Initially, List Kit operated as a productized service, which meant it appeared like a SaaS on the front end, but the fulfillment was done manually on the back end. This approach had several advantages:

1. Low Startup Costs: It eliminated the need for significant development fees upfront.
2. Market Validation: Andre and his team could test the idea and gather valuable market feedback before fully developing the product.
3. Cash Flow Generation: It allowed the business to generate revenue from day one, funding further development.

By understanding what their customers wanted through direct feedback, Andre and his team could build a more efficient and cost-effective SaaS product that met the market’s needs perfectly.

Building a Winning Team

One of the critical factors behind List Kit’s success is Andre’s team of co-founders. He emphasizes the importance of having co-founders with complementary skill sets:

• Marketing Geniuses: Daniel and Christian handle marketing, funnels, ads, and content.
• Sales Expert: Dan leads the sales team with unmatched expertise.
• Technical Lead: Oliver, the CTO, brought the technical skills necessary to turn the product vision into reality.

This diverse team ensured that all aspects of the business were covered, from technology and marketing to sales and leadership.

Leveraging Cold Email and Ads for Growth

List Kit’s growth strategy centered around cold email and ads:

• Cold Email Campaigns: They offered potential customers 50 free leads to demonstrate the product’s value. This lead magnet strategy proved highly effective in converting prospects into paying customers.
• Ad Campaigns: They invested in ads to scale their business further. By testing 20 new creatives every week, including videos and static images, they continually optimized their campaigns for better performance.

Maintaining Low Costs with a Global Team

A significant part of List Kit’s operational strategy is hiring talented individuals from around the world. Most of their team members, including developers and customer success representatives, are based in countries like Ukraine and Lebanon. This approach not only reduces costs but also taps into a pool of highly skilled workers.

Pricing Strategy

Andre’s approach to pricing involves understanding both the costs and the competition. By analyzing what competitors charge and getting feedback from their customers, List Kit offers a pricing model based on the number of credits users need. They opted against a free trial to avoid attracting freebie seekers, instead offering a money-back guarantee to maintain a low-commitment entry point for new users.

Staying Ahead of the Competition

Andre believes in building on existing successful models and improving them. By identifying what competitors like Apollo do well and where they fall short, List Kit positioned itself as a better alternative by offering verified leads, a critical feature customers wanted.

Daily Routine and Advice for Entrepreneurs

Andre’s day starts with a morning walk to Starbucks, listening to the Bible, and planning his day. He emphasizes the importance of routine, spending time with co-founders, and balancing work with physical activities like working out and playing sports.

His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to stay consistent and patient. Success doesn’t come overnight, and it’s crucial to remain focused and committed, especially during challenging times. Investing in personal development and seeking guidance from successful mentors can also significantly accelerate growth.

Conclusion

Andre Haykal Jr.’s story is a testament to the power of persistence, strategic planning, and building a complementary team. By leveraging productized services, understanding market needs, and maintaining a robust operational model, he turned a struggling startup into a thriving million-dollar SaaS business in just 87 days. For anyone looking to start a similar venture, Andre’s journey offers valuable lessons and inspiration.

More: Here