Startup Log: MVP Grinding Mode
Today was one of those days where you’re deep in the trenches, grinding it out, and you sort of forget time exists. The MVP is shaping up — backend’s stable, frontend’s nearly there, and small wins are stacking up.
What Got Done:
- Knocked out critical front-end bug fixes (Safari, why do you hate me?)
- Cleaned up user authentication timing — OAuth was dragging randomly
- Integrated the first rough version of our analytics tracking
- Tweaked onboarding flow after catching some absurd drop-off points
Also finished a new pitch deck draft so we’re not going into next week’s investor coffee chats looking like complete amateurs.
Real Challenge:
Analyzing today’s user interview results made something super clear: our dashboard needs smarter data access. Users are baffled trying to find insights that should be obvious. It’s not just a UI issue — it’s about the mental model we’re asking users to adopt. Need to rethink some fundamentals for V1.1.
Team Reality Check:
One of our core engineers might have to step away soon. Not panicking yet, but definitely feeling that classic early-stage "what’s our bus factor?" fear. Started evaluating some freelance backup options just in case.
Also noticed a new competitor getting aggressive on marketing. Their product’s for a different persona, but still — it lit a fire under me to tighten our messaging and make sure our unique angle is crazy obvious.
Random Thought Dump:
- Pacing is brutal but necessary.
- Strategy and execution feel like a seesaw right now.
- Very aware that quality is the thing that separates “yet another SaaS” from “actual value.”
"It’s crazy how many problems can be solved just by talking to users and actually listening."
Tiny How-To: Fixing Onboarding Drop-Off
Today’s lesson:
If onboarding is making users work too hard, even the best feature set won’t save you. Here’s the quick approach I used:
- Map the full onboarding flow visually. Seriously — draw it out.
- Find every action that isn’t absolutely necessary. Cut or delay them.
- Test with real humans immediately. Only real users will show you where logic breaks.
- Optimize for momentum, not detail. They should feel like they’re winning by step two.
Will probably write a deeper post on this someday, but in short: friction kills interest way faster than bugs.
Closing today feeling tired but weirdly electric. One step closer.
