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We built the "Excel of Finance Apps," but the growth isn't there. Next move?

2 points by caoxhua ↗ HN
Our platform is arguably the most flexible finance tracker on the market. It allows users to build complex models and insights purely through data points and formulas. From a product standpoint, we’ve hit our vision.

But the business reality is a different story. Three years later, the MRR isn't even enough to cover a single developer's cost of living. I’m constantly caught in a loop between "this is too good to give up" and "this isn't a viable business."

I’m torn between pushing forward and calling it quits. If you had a technically superior product that wasn't converting into a sustainable business after 3 years, what would your "red line" be?

4 comments

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blinkbat
have you identified parts of your business that might be costing you users as opposed to if the product was freeware?
takkatakka
Do you have product market fit, and just need to do more marketing? If so, I would keep going. Otherwise, I'd probably be a bit burnt out after 3 years of no PMF.
mmarian
If I was in that position, I'd probably give up. 3 years is a huge opportunity cost of not working on something more successful.
caoxhua
yeah, opportunity cost is huge.