The Dating App That's Playing Matchmaker with Myers-Briggs
Audio Brief
Show transcript
This episode features So Syncd co-founders Jessica and Louella Alderson, detailing their unique dating app that matches users via Myers-Briggs personality types for deeper compatibility.
There are three key takeaways from this conversation. First, turn personal frustrations into business opportunities by identifying common problems and unique solutions. Second, consider bootstrapping to maintain control and develop lean strategies before seeking investment. Third, cultivate an engaged community around your brand, as it can become your most powerful asset for growth and user loyalty.
So Syncd originated from Jessica Alderson's personal frustration with superficial dating apps, leading her to conceptualize a personality-based matching system. This unique approach leverages Myers-Briggs types to foster balanced connections, combining similarities and differences for true compatibility.
The Alderson sisters initially bootstrapped So Syncd using their personal savings and salaries. This self-funding approach pushed them to be highly creative and resourceful in their early growth and user acquisition efforts.
A significant focus for So Syncd is building an engaged community. They actively interact with users on social media, produce the "Personality Love Lab" podcast, and highlight real user success stories, demonstrating community as a powerful growth driver.
The So Syncd story highlights the power of personal insight, strategic lean growth, and strong community building in creating a successful and meaningful business.
Episode Overview
- This episode of Startup Savant's Founder Stories features Jessica and Louella Alderson, the sister co-founders of the dating app So Syncd.
- The founders explain their unique approach to online dating, which uses the Myers-Briggs personality test to match users for deeper compatibility.
- They share their personal journey, from Jessica's breakup that sparked the initial idea to bootstrapping the company and eventually raising a $1 million funding round.
- The episode highlights the importance of community building and how they engage their user base through social media, a podcast, and direct interaction.
Key Concepts
- Personality-Based Matchmaking: So Syncd's core concept is matching users based on compatible Myers-Briggs personality types, aiming to create connections with the right balance of similarities and differences.
- Solving a Personal Pain Point: The idea for the app originated from Jessica's personal frustration with the superficiality of existing dating apps after a breakup, leading her to explore personality compatibility as a better foundation for relationships.
- Bootstrapping Strategy: Initially, the founders self-funded the startup using their own savings and salaries from full-time jobs. This forced them to be creative and resourceful in their early growth and user acquisition efforts.
- Community Engagement: A significant part of So Syncd's strategy is building a strong, supportive community. They actively engage with users on social media, through their "Personality Love Lab" podcast, and by featuring real user success stories.
Quotes
- At 00:07 - "...like you're the Karate Kid trying to understand the connection between method and result." - The narrator describes the frustrating and overcomplicated nature of many modern dating apps, setting the stage for So Syncd's simpler, more direct approach.
- At 03:55 - "I think it is actually really helpful to bootstrap a startup in those early days. Because you're kind of pushed to think outside of the box, and it forces you to be a lot more creative." - Jessica Alderson explains the unexpected benefits of self-funding, which led to innovative and cost-effective growth strategies.
- At 05:59 - "I feel like that was the best moment... They got married in December." - Louella Alderson shares the most fulfilling moment of her entrepreneurial career so far: learning that the first couple who met on their app had gotten married.
Takeaways
- Turn personal frustrations into business opportunities by identifying common problems and creating a unique solution.
- Before seeking investment, consider bootstrapping to maintain control and develop creative, lean strategies for growth.
- Cultivate an engaged and supportive community around your brand, as it can become your most powerful asset for growth and user loyalty.
