Thought building a chatting app would be easy? Think again.

In 2021, myself and three friends decided to build a chat app called Pulsr, targeting small groups of friends. Here's a rundown of our experience.

The story began like many startups do — with a problem to solve. With countless chatting applications on the market catering to vast audiences, we identified a gap for intimate chat applications tailored for small groups of friends. There was something special about creating a space where smaller clusters of people could connect deeply, away from the noise of larger platforms. And thus, Pulsr was conceived.

Between the four of us, we embarked on a journey to translate this into reality. We worked over every detail, from the logo that would represent our brand to the systems that would power our backend. Evenings were spent discussing user interfaces, ensuring that our mobile frontends were not just functional, but intuitive and delightful.

As with any venture in the tech realm, the path wasn't devoid of challenges. We were ambitious, but we soon realized we were competing against giants. The chat app market was saturated, with so many apps backed by vast resources and aggressive marketing campaigns.

Ultimately, balancing Pulsr with our personal lives and professional engagements became impossible. As the months wore on, we grappled with a looming question: Was Pulsr feasible in the long run?

Eventually we made the heart-wrenching decision to lay Pulsr to rest. The dream had been beautiful, but the landscape proved too challenging to navigate.

This journey taught me invaluable lessons about managing a team and designing a product.

1. Team Dynamics: Every member brings unique strengths to the table. Harnessing those strengths and ensuring open communication are the backbone of a successful project.
2. Product Design: Beyond the aesthetics, it's about the user. Their needs, preferences, and feedback shape the product's evolution.
3. Market Analysis: Recognizing market conditions early on can guide pivots and strategies, ensuring resources are utilized effectively.

To sign off, I have a bit of a message: it's not just about the destination but the journey. Embrace it, learn from it, and let it propel you to new horizons. Even if your project doesn't work, there's always hundreds more you can persue. Keep pushing!