$18K/Month From This Ridiculously Simple App Idea

The App Idea: Cat on Chair [01:24]

• Ryan developed "Cat on Chair," a Pomodoro timer app specifically for cat lovers.
• The app features a cat that appears on screen during focus sessions and leaves "gifts" upon completion.
• This unique concept aims to make productivity more fun and engaging.

  So, the app is called Cat on Chair. It's a Pomodoro timer for cat lovers.

Revenue and Downloads [01:46]

• The app has achieved over 127,000 downloads.
• In 8-9 months, the app generated close to $80,000 in sales.
• In a recent 30-day period, sales exceeded $18,000.

  Overall, we crossed 127K downloads. And for our sales, we made close to 80K for span of 8-9 months.

Background and Development [02:54]

• Ryan, a former product designer, quit his $200K job to build his own business.
• He utilized AI coding tools, which became a viable option for iOS app development around a year prior.
• The app was built with the help of his girlfriend.

  So I was a product designer at various tech startups. But I always felt like I'm wasting my potential because I was only doing design works.

Development Timeline and Challenges [04:16]

• Development began around May 2025, with a simple Pomodoro timer completed in a few weeks.
• The first version was ready by August, followed by a month of beta testing and bug fixing.
• The app launched on August 27th, experiencing initial bugs and data syncing issues, with a stable version achieved around December/January.

  It actually took a while for us to get the first version up and running. So, after a few weeks, we finally got a simple Pomodoro timer done.

Viral Growth and Market Reach [05:11]

• The app gained traction through small viral moments on RedNotes and significant exposure from Instagram influencers.
• A viral post on Threads in Taiwan doubled downloads and revenue overnight.
• Initially targeting Chinese and Taiwanese markets due to the girlfriend's existing follower base, the focus is now worldwide.

  The app truly took off when some Instagram influencers started sharing app collection posts featuring us.

Tools and Monetization [06:22]

• Ryan primarily used ChatGPT Pro for coding and RevenueCat for subscription management.
• Other tools include AppTweak for ASO optimization and Droids for user feedback.
• The app is free, with monetization through pro features, a $29.99 lifetime plan, and a $19.99 annual plan.

  Yeah, right now I'm mainly use ChatGPT Pro plan for the coding part. I'm also using other tools like RevenueCat which is super popular paywall and subscription management tool.

Idea Origin and Unique Features [07:13]

• The app idea originated from a necklace made by his girlfriend, featuring a cat on a chair.
• Customization options, inspired by Animal Crossing, include different furniture, cats, and backgrounds.
• Unique features include cats leaving "gifts" or "trash" based on session success and interactive "meow" animations.

  The idea actually came from a necklace my girlfriend made. It's a a little cat sitting on a chair. I named it cat on chair and I really loved the name.

Advice for Aspiring Developers [10:29]

• Ryan advises aspiring developers to start by exploring apps they already use or are interested in.
• He suggests studying competitor reviews and social media to identify opportunities for feature remixing.
• Collaborating with illustrators or using AI to develop a distinctive visual style is recommended to stand out.

  I would say just start from finding a app you already using or you are generally interested in and then go deeper on your competitions, like study all the App Store reviews, social media, everything.

Demo and Future of Apps [11:20]

• A demo showcases the app's timer, customizable backgrounds, furniture, and gift collection system.
• The app's playful and handcrafted feel is highlighted as a potential future direction for software.
• Ryan emphasizes consistency and perseverance in building apps, even with AI assistance.

  Yeah. So, here's the app. Once you open the app, you will see the timer, obviously, and like different background furnitures.

Key Takeaways from Founders [13:35]

• Founders emphasize leveraging existing skills, such as design, to create unique and appealing apps.
• The "handcrafted" and "custom" aesthetic is seen as a key factor in viral growth, differentiating from basic app designs.
• Building an app out of passion and a desire for it to exist, rather than solely for profit, can lead to organic success.

  If I could take anything away from this, and it may not be what people are expecting me to say, but is that if you have some sort of skill, lean into that skill for the business that you decide to build or the app you decide to build.