Cluee

How Tom Wesolowski Built an AI Startup in One Weekend With No-Code

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About
Business

Tom Wesolowski

Founder, Cluee

Founders

Cluee

cluee.app

from Kraków, Poland

started January 2021

Founders

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Founders

Profitable

Yes

Year Started

2021

Customer

B2B & B2C

Founders

Profitable

Yes

Year Started

2021

Customer

B2B & B2C

Who is Tom Wesolowski?🔗

Tom Wesolowski is a Polish entrepreneur who began his career in IT back in 2000, later transitioning into no-code development, and has experience running multiple internet businesses, including an AI startup and a software house.

What problem does Cluee solve?🔗

Cluee solves the hassle of manual time-tracking for No-Code developers by automatically logging project hours via a Chrome Extension, enabling precise project forecasting and easier client reporting.

How did Tom come up with the idea for Cluee?🔗

Tom began his journey with Cluee after realizing the pitfalls of trying to create a product for everyone. Initially, he developed a broad project management tool for freelancers, which ultimately didn't resonate with users due to its generic nature. The turning point came during a conversation with a friend who suggested a time-tracking solution specifically for No-Code developers—a niche Tom was familiar with.

This suggestion resonated with Tom as it addressed a precise problem he had encountered personally. He embraced this insight and pivoted Cluee to focus on automatic time tracking for No-Code developers. Throughout this process, Tom leaned heavily on his community of No-Code developers for feedback, which guided key improvements and helped validate the concept.

A major challenge was overcoming the technical complexities while ensuring the solution remained efficient and user-friendly. By utilizing No-Code tools like Bubble and Xano, Tom was able to iterate rapidly and keep development costs low. This journey taught him the importance of focusing on a specific niche and leveraging personal experiences to build meaningful solutions.

How did Tom build the initial version of Cluee?🔗

Tom Wesolowski built Cluee using a no-code approach primarily by leveraging the Bubble platform for developing the initial MVP, supplemented with custom JavaScript for the Chrome Extension. The development of the first version took a few months and involved pivoting towards a niche solution for time-tracking specifically for No-Code developers, after initial attempts to cater to a broader market did not gain traction. To enhance data processing and manage high API call volumes efficiently, Tom transitioned the backend to Xano, allowing better handling of over 1.5 million records per month. The process of building Cluee involved challenges such as optimizing workflow units in Bubble and ensuring the app could handle extensive background data processing without incurring prohibitive costs.

How did Tom launch Cluee and get initial traction?🔗

Build in Public Approach🔗

Tom Wesolowski, the founder of Cluee, adopted a "build in public" strategy on Twitter to spread the word about his product. He actively shared updates and progress about developing his automatic time-tracking tool designed for No-Code developers. This approach allowed him to engage directly with the No-Code community, building anticipation and garnering interest before the official launch.

Why it worked: This strategy capitalized on the existing community of No-Code enthusiasts on Twitter, which was also Tom's target audience. By sharing his development journey, he cultivated a sense of involvement and anticipation, leading to nearly 50 people signing up to his waitlist immediately when he opened it.

Initial Waitlist and Email Outreach🔗

Tom set up a waitlist to capture interested users' emails and engagement levels for Cluee's early development phase. After announcing the waitlist through his build-in-public efforts, nearly 50 people signed up immediately. Once Cluee was ready for launch, Tom emailed these early sign-ups to grant them access.

Why it worked: The waitlist strategy ensured that when the product was ready, there was an initial user base eager to test and provide feedback. Engaging with these early adopters allowed Tom to refine the product based on real users' needs, thereby validating and improving his solution.

Metrics:

Nearly 50 sign-ups for the waitlist after launching it.
Over 150 users signed up overall, with half actively using the product and about 15% converting to paying customers.

Community Engagement🔗

Beyond merely building in public, Tom actively engaged with the No-Code community through discussions and partnerships. He collaborated with No-Code agencies and participated in various No-Code-related events, increasing his visibility and building genuine connections with potential users.

Why it worked: Engaging with the community placed Tom at the center of the No-Code movement, allowing him to gather insights and feedback directly from industry players. This grassroots marketing approach fostered trust and credibility, essential for a new product.

What was the growth strategy for Cluee and how did they scale?🔗

Cluee primarily focused on a build-in-public approach, especially on Twitter. Tom Wesolowski, the founder, leveraged his existing network of No-Code developers and community engagement to announce the development of Cluee. By sharing progress updates and insights actively, he built anticipation and received immediate feedback. The process began with announcing "Bubble-time-tracker" and opening a waitlist, which attracted nearly 50 sign-ups.

Why it worked: This strategy not only built a community of engaged users but also ensured that early adopters provided critical feedback, validating the product's problem-solving aspects. The honest, transparent approach fostered trust and interest before the product was even fully launched.

Email Outreach🔗

Once the initial interest was captured through social media, Cluee utilized email marketing to engage potential users on the waitlist. After developing the product, Tom emailed these early signees to provide access to Cluee.

Why it worked: This targeted approach re-engaged users who had expressed initial interest, ensuring a higher conversion rate and engaged user base. It enabled direct communication, facilitating feedback collection, which informed future improvements and features.

Networking with No-Code Communities🔗

Engagement with No-Code communities was crucial for Cluee's growth. Tom participated in discussions and partnered with No-Code agencies, providing insights into his product's value, which included launching an "Agency Plan."

Why it worked: By integrating directly into communities of potential users, Cluee positioned itself not only as a tool but as part of the broader No-Code movement. Sharing in agency discussions helped to showcase the tool's real-world applications and benefits, fostering organic growth through word-of-mouth.

Sponsorships and Partnerships🔗

Cluee sponsored no-code events and newsletters, which aligned with its core customer base and mission. This included partnering with events and platforms focused on No-Code development to create greater visibility.

Why it worked: Sponsorships and partnerships allowed Cluee to reach a wider audience within its niche. Participating in these initiatives positioned Cluee as a key contributor to the No-Code movement, enhancing brand recognition and establishing the product as an industry staple.

What's the pricing strategy for Cluee?🔗

Cluee uses a SaaS subscription model, offering plans at $4 for solo freelancers and $25 for agencies, focusing on automated no-code time-tracking.

What were the biggest lessons learned from building Cluee?🔗

Niche Focus Wins: Starting with a broad target audience proved ineffective, but pivoting to focus on No-Code developers allowed Cluee to find a niche market and solve a specific problem. Narrowing your focus can lead to better market fit and user engagement.
Leverage No-Code Tools: Building with platforms like Bubble and integrating with Xano helped Cluee iterate quickly and manage costs. No-code tools can offer significant flexibility and speed, especially for early-stage products.
Iterate Based on Feedback: Engaging with the No-Code community and early adopters provided valuable feedback. Iterative development based on real user input ensures that you're building something people actually need.
Adapt Marketing Strategies: Initial struggles with paid ads led to adopting a #buildinpublic approach on Twitter. Organic marketing, through transparency and community engagement, can be more impactful and cost-effective than traditional methods.
Resilience Through Pivoting: Despite setbacks, Tom Wesolowski demonstrated resilience by continuously adapting Cluee’s strategy. The ability to pivot and refine the business model is crucial for overcoming initial challenges and achieving success.

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