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From Attic Coding to $10M in Sales: Blake’s Incredible Journey
From degen to developer: How Blake turned $200 and an AI app into a $10M empire.
Welcome to Money Making Story,
Today, we’re thrilled to share the story of Blake, who turned $200 and a bold idea into a $10 million app empire.
In this discussion, we’ll discuss his:
Top Advice from Blake
The Early Days
The Breakthrough
Building The Apex House
10 AI tools to land your dream job
The Business Behind the Numbers
The Business Model
The Power of Discipline and Daily Grind
Looking Ahead
Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
A Story Worth Reading
Top Advice from Blake:
"Success isn’t just about making money—it’s about leaving a footprint on the world and living life on your terms."
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At just 23 years old, Blake Anderson has built a multi-million-dollar empire through iPhone apps like Riz GPT and Umax. With over $10 million in total sales, Blake turned his last $200 into a legacy of profitable apps. His story is one of resilience, risk, and an unwavering commitment to going all-in.
This is how Blake’s journey unfolded, from struggling with financial uncertainty to managing a thriving business and funding his next ambitious project, Apex.
The Early Days: A Degenerate with a Dream
Blake’s upbringing wasn’t luxurious. Growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, his family faced financial struggles after his father, a once-successful entrepreneur, suffered from neurological issues. By the time Blake graduated college, his family had to sell their home, and Blake relied on loans from his older brother to buy groceries.
"I was holed up in my parents' attic, coding while the house was on the market. It was my last real chance."
Blake’s rebellious streak and disdain for authority fueled his entrepreneurial drive. Even as a teenager, he displayed a knack for hustling—whether it was selling lemonade, flipping products, or writing an eBook on “how to make money” as a child.
"I’d rather live on the edge with a 50% chance of crashing and burning than live a monotonous life."
The Breakthrough: Building Riz GPT
Blake’s pivotal moment came when he decided to bet it all on his first app, Riz GPT, an AI-driven social tool. He committed 12-hour coding sessions daily for a month, working in his parents’ attic with no safety net. The app’s success was fueled by savvy influencer marketing: Blake paid two TikTok creators just $50 each to promote it.
The result? Overnight, Riz GPT went viral, amassing millions of views and hundreds of thousands of downloads.
"Everyone says I’m dramatic when I say this was my last shot, but it was. And I built an app called Riz GPT."
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Building The Apex House
Currently based in San Diego, Blake has established "The Apex House," a creative compound where he and his team are working on their next big project. The space reflects the ethos of his work: balance, creativity, and relentless focus. It’s part office, part gym, and part outdoor retreat, providing a setting that fosters both productivity and well-being.
Inside the house, Blake and his team work and live together, sharing ideas and staying aligned with their ambitious goals. A whiteboard dominates the main room, symbolizing their commitment to daily planning and accountability.
The Business Behind the Numbers
Blake didn’t stop with Riz GPT. He launched additional apps like Umax and Improvement Tech, each targeting a specific market with a focus on usability and viral marketing.
Here’s how his apps performed:
Riz GPT: $2.6M lifetime sales.
Umax: $4.2M lifetime sales.
Improvement Tech: $2.4M lifetime sales.
CI (Core Innovation): $2.4 million
With Android revenue factored in, Blake’s ventures have collectively generated $10 million in sales, with $2.5–$3 million in personal profit.
"These apps don’t just die. Even now, Riz GPT brings in $200,000 a month."
The Business Model: From Hustler to Visionary
1. Viral Marketing
Blake’s success hinges on influencer marketing and user-generated content (UGC). Collaborating with creators to produce authentic, engaging content has proven to be his most profitable strategy.
"I find underrated creators on TikTok, pay them $50, and they make viral content that drives hundreds of thousands of downloads."
2. Lean Operations
Blake keeps costs low, relying on tools like AI-driven coding platforms to streamline development. His team operates out of a rented house in San Diego, nicknamed "The Apex House," which doubles as their workspace and creative hub.
3. Long-Term Vision
Blake isn’t just chasing short-term revenue. He’s investing profits into Apex, his next big project. With $1 million already invested, Apex is a testament to Blake’s commitment to creating something that leaves a lasting impact.
The Power of Discipline and Daily Grind
A significant factor in Blake’s success is his disciplined approach to work. He compares coding to surfing or video editing, emphasizing how consistent effort over short periods yields exponential improvement. This mindset allowed him to spend 12-hour days building Riz GPT, leading to its meteoric rise.
Blake’s days aren’t just about work, though. His commitment to balance is evident in his active lifestyle. From weightlifting to surfing, he incorporates physical activity into his routine, stating that it helps clear his mind and maintain focus. “You’ve got to work hard in the gym and in life,” Blake says, exemplifying his holistic approach to success.
Looking Ahead
Blake’s story is far from over. With his new project under development at The Apex House, he’s on a mission to leave a lasting impact on the world. For Blake, success isn’t just about the money—it’s about creating something meaningful and inspiring others to chase their dreams.
As Blake continues to build his empire, one thing is certain: his journey will remain a source of motivation for anyone looking to turn ambition into reality. Whether you’re coding an app, launching a startup, or pursuing any big idea, Blake’s life is proof that with vision, grit, and a bit of ingenuity, anything is possible.
Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Blake’s journey offers valuable lessons for anyone aspiring to succeed in business:
Start Small and Think Big: Blake’s first app was built with minimal resources, but he envisioned it as a stepping stone to greater things.
Leverage What You Have: He used TikTok creators with a $50 budget to launch Riz GPT, proving that ingenuity often outweighs resources.
Surround Yourself with the Right People: Living and working with like-minded teammates at The Apex House has amplified Blake’s productivity and focus.
Embrace Risk and Rejection: Blake openly admits he’d rather take big risks and fail spectacularly than live a monotonous life.
Burn the Boats: When the stakes are high, bet on yourself and commit fully to your vision.
Blake’s journey from a struggling college grad to a multi-millionaire app developer is a testament to the power of risk, focus, and the right strategy. His story inspires anyone looking to break free from conventional paths and create something extraordinary.
"Success is the byproduct of relentless effort, risk-taking, and embracing unconventional strategies."
A Story Worth Reading
When Steve Jobs returned to Apple in 1997, they were 90 days from collapse.
So Jobs did the unthinkable:
He called his biggest enemy, Bill Gates, for help.
What Gates did next saved Apple's life and changed technology forever.
Here's the full story:
— Branding Blueprint by Thoughtleadr (@TL_branding)
9:06 PM • Dec 20, 2024
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