Turning a naive idea into a 7-digit exit with Javier Escribano (Tourist Eye)

08/12/24 • 78 min

How do you build a successful travel app from scratch, grow it to millions of users, and sell it to a big brand in the industry?
Join us as my former co-founder, Javier Escribano, and I recount our journey from naive 22-year-olds to existing to Lonely Planet.
You'll learn the four critical checks for achieving product-market fit, and why validating user value, ensuring usability, confirming technical feasibility, and proving business viability are the cornerstones of any startup.
We share stories of our early days, reflecting on the challenges faced and the importance of perseverance, all while offering practical guidance for aspiring founders.
Explore the nuances of startup life with us as we discuss pivotal moments that defined our entrepreneurial path. From our humble beginnings organizing university events to navigating startup acquisitions in Silicon Valley, we recount the highs and lows that shaped our careers.
We dive into the importance of niche specialization, leveraging press coverage, and the impact of timing and agility in seizing new technology and distribution channels.
Our candid reflections on financial hardships and strategic decisions will provide invaluable insights for anyone looking to make their mark in the startup world.
Finally, discover the lessons we've learned in startup growth and product-market fit through our experiences with Tourist Eye and beyond. We analyze contrasting strategies in the travel industry, the role of early adopters, and the journey of landing in San Francisco to face investor challenges.
Whether you're a young entrepreneur or simply curious about the realities of startup life, our stories of ambition, camaraderie, and resilience will inspire you to enjoy every step of your journey, regardless of the outcome.
Tune in to gain a wealth of practical advice and personal anecdotes that can help light your own entrepreneurial path.

Previous Episode

From side project to software giant with Alexis Fogel (Stonly + Dashlane)

Discover the journey from fun coding project to pioneering password management tool with Alexis Fogel, co-founder of Dashlane and CEO of Stonely.
Alexis kicks things off by sharing how a school project aimed at universal one-click purchases evolved into a leading password manager and digital wallet, thanks to invaluable user feedback and a few key pivots.
Learn from Alexis's experiences moving from B2C to B2B, and the strategic shifts that have played a crucial role in both Dashlane’s and Stonely’s successes.
Alexis reveals the compelling story behind Dashlane's rise, from its early challenges with form filling to its branding as a trusted password manager.
Uncover the pivotal moments, including media recognition by the New York Times, that shaped Dashlane’s trajectory and led to its expansion into the B2B space.
Alexis also delves into the nuances of marketing and funding strategies, offering tips on leveraging press coverage and navigating the complexities of customer acquisition.
In the latter part of our episode, Alexis discusses his transition to founding Stonely, a company focused on automating and personalizing customer support.
He provides a thoughtful exploration of the satisfaction derived from creating something new, the importance of timing in raising funds, and the strategic decisions behind bootstrapping versus early investment.

Next Episode

The art of pivoting with Rajiv Ayyangar (Tandem + Product Hunt)

What happens when you can't find product-market fit with your startup idea?
It's time to pivot, and Rajiv Ayyangar, CEO of Product Hunt and co-founder of Tandem, is a master at that.
In this episode, Rajiv shares his journey from the highs of rapid growth to the tough calls of pivoting and transitioning Tandem to a self-sustainable business.
Gain actionable insights as Rajiv recounts how tracking metrics and learning rates helped him and his team decide when to pivot, especially during the pandemic when the stakes were incredibly high.
Learn about the importance of co-founder alignment and structured methodologies for idea validation as we discuss the successes and setbacks of Rajiv and his team.
This episode is packed with real-world examples that showcase the complexities of startup life and the power of resilience.
We also explore the nuances of product positioning, remote work solutions, and the intense journey of fundraising.
Listen to Rajiv's experiences under the guidance of Y Combinator and understand the critical role of refining product positioning for success.
From handling the surge in demand during the pandemic to making strategic pivots, this episode provides a comprehensive look at navigating the most complex moments behind finding product-market fit.

The Only Thing That Matters - Turning a naive idea into a 7-digit exit with Javier Escribano (Tourist Eye)

Transcript

Javier Escribano00:00:00.100

In order to find product market fit , you need to get four checks . The first one is validate there is a value for the user , that you are solving a clear pain . The second one is that the product is usable . The third one is technically feasible to build it . And the fourth one is that the business is viable . We can go into detail in all the four topics and others ,