Welcome to Money Making Story

Today, we’re excited to share the inspiring story of Steven, who went from building code in the bedroom to a $40,000/month business.

In this edition, we’ll explore:

• A Fun Side Project That Went Viral

• The Donation

• Building Puff Count

• How Steven Built Puff Count

• A Smart Strategy

• Key Takeaways

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The Start: A Fun Side Project That Went Viral

Steven Cabada’s entrepreneurial journey began at 18, building an app called Wordle in his bedroom. Initially, it was just a hobby to enhance his coding skills. For six years, the app barely saw any downloads until it unexpectedly surged to 200,000 downloads per day due to its association with a popular browser game. Rather than just enjoying the unplanned success, Steven collaborated with Josh Wardle, the creator of the browser game, to donate profits to a charity.

The Donation: Giving $50,000 to Boost

With the app's success, Steven decided to make a difference by donating $50,000 to Boost Oakland, an organization that supports students with educational programs. The day of the donation was marked by a heartfelt meeting with Boost’s staff and students, making a lasting impact on Steven and the community. It was clear to Steven that this donation would go far in helping these kids.

Later, at the West Oakland Public Library, Steven got to meet some of Boost’s students and families. When he presented the check, Talisha jumped up, screamed, and hugged him—it was a moment of pure joy. Steven didn’t know what to expect, but he walked away feeling that this was one of the best decisions he had ever made.

Building Puff Count: From No Experience to $40,000 a Month

Steven didn’t stop at Wordle. His next project, Puff Count, is an app that helps people quit vaping, and here’s the kicker—he had no coding experience when he built it. Today, Puff Count generates $40,000 in monthly recurring revenue. Steven realized that you didn’t need technical expertise to create apps; with the right idea and a focus on marketing, anyone could build something successful.

Steven validated his idea by researching apps in the same niche and analyzing trends on TikTok, where vaping content was going viral. With his idea solid, he outsourced the design to professionals and hired developers on Upwork. This lean and efficient approach allowed him to build Puff Count without needing to write a single line of code.

The Process: How Steven Built Puff Count

Building Puff Count wasn’t complicated. Steven sketched out his ideas, hired a UI designer, and used platforms like Upwork to find developers. It didn’t cost much, and within a short time, the app was up and running. But the real secret to his success wasn’t just building the app—it was how he marketed it.

Steven focused on TikTok, where he saw vaping-related content going viral. By creating engaging videos, one of which got over 8 million views, he drove tens of thousands of downloads. From there, he ran TikTok Ads and Facebook Ads to keep the momentum going, showing just how important marketing was to Puff Count's growth.

Monetizing Puff Count: A Smart Strategy

For Puff Count, Steven realized that in-app ads wouldn’t work, so he implemented a "hard paywall" where users had to subscribe to access features. This strategy turned out to be a game-changer, pushing conversion rates up to 20-25%. He also experimented with pricing, using tools like Superwall to adjust the app’s price points without needing updates, ensuring he found the optimal price for maximum revenue.

Testing and refining his approach was key to scaling Puff Count. By focusing on user feedback and analytics, Steven constantly improved the app's performance. The combination of smart pricing, marketing, and a focus on the user experience helped turn Puff Count into a $40,000 per month business.

Key Takeaways from Steven’s Journey

Steven Cabada’s journey shows that opportunity often comes in unexpected ways. His viral success with Wordle wasn’t planned, but he turned it into something meaningful by donating $50,000 to help others. It’s a reminder that sometimes luck meets preparation, and when it does, it can have a lasting impact.

Beyond that, Steven’s story emphasizes that you don’t need to know everything to build something successful. With tools available today, anyone can create an app, and it’s the marketing that makes the biggest difference. By testing, learning, and continuously improving, Steven turned his passion into a thriving business, and his journey is a testament to what’s possible with persistence and creativity.

Learn More About Steven Cabada

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