# My mobile app made $800K in 365 days Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYdJ3dfNCVs Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/LYdJ3dfNCVs Generated: 2025-12-17T18:37:09.619+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The creator built an AI makeup app called GlowUp, which generated over $800,000 in sales within the first year after launching, achieving this success by identifying a viable niche through studying TikTok comments, creating viral content using a specific playbook, and implementing strategies like bulk posting and anchor links. **Key Points:** - The creator built and launched the AI makeup app, GlowUp, one year prior to the interview, which subsequently generated $802K in sales over the last 365 days. - The idea for GlowUp was derived from studying TikTok comments on viral makeup videos, specifically looking for user requests or pain points, such as asking for product codes. - The app uses a subscription model costing $9.99 per week or $39.99 per month for unlimited AI makeup looks, which generated $15,000 in monthly recurring revenue at the time of filming. - The TikTok marketing playbook involved warming up a US-based TikTok account (using a VPN or US SIM card), posting 4-6 times a day, and replicating viral trends. - The creator achieved 100,000 users in 3 days and eventually reached 2 million users and 70,000 paying customers, hitting #1 in the Lifestyle category on the App Store. - Key technology used included FlutterFlow for building the MVP ($39/month), Firebase for the backend (free tier initially), Superwall for payments ($49/month), and Mixpanel for event tracking (free). - The final advice given to aspiring builders is to 'Take action before you're totally ready' and focus on creating content that entertains first, rather than trying to achieve perfection. ![Screenshot at 00:29: The video displays a sales chart showing that GlowUp generated $802K in sales over the last 365 days, illustrating the app's financial success.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/LYdJ3dfNCVs/00-00-29.png) **Context:** This video is an interview from the 'Starter Story' series, featuring Louis-David Paul-Hus, a Canadian developer who successfully monetized a mobile application called GlowUp, an AI-powered makeup and beauty app. Louis details his journey, which began with building about ten failed apps before pivoting based on market research gleaned directly from TikTok comment sections, leading to the viral success of GlowUp. ## Detailed Analysis Louis-David Paul-Hus recounts his journey building the successful AI makeup app, GlowUp, after failing with about ten previous apps. He found the winning idea by analyzing TikTok comments on viral makeup videos, noticing users frequently asking for product codes, which indicated a demand for personalized makeup routines and product matching. He built the MVP using FlutterFlow (costing $39/month) and Firebase for the backend (initially free), employing a subscription model of $9.99/week or $39.99/month for unlimited AI looks. His successful marketing strategy relied heavily on TikTok, following a playbook that included setting up a US-based account (using a VPN), engaging in bulk posting (4-6 times daily), and replicating successful viral content formats. This approach led to tremendous growth, reaching 100,000 users in three days, eventually achieving 2 million total users and $802K in revenue over the last year, peaking at #1 in the App Store's Lifestyle category. The primary operational costs were $1,000/month for the backend and $500/month for AI services, maintaining a 90% profit margin overall. His concluding advice is to prioritize taking action before feeling completely ready, as learning through mistakes is crucial for success. ### App Concept & Initial Success - GlowUp is a makeup and beauty app using AI to suggest personalized makeup routines and product recommendations - It generated $12,500 in sales from one viral video alone - The app reached $802K in total sales in the last 365 days. ### TikTok Marketing Playbook - Step 1 involved finding the idea by studying TikTok comment sections for user pain points - Step 2 was warming up a US TikTok account (using VPN/SIM) and posting 4-6 times daily while engaging with content - Step 3 required adding anchor links to the video once traction was achieved - Step 4 involved bulk posting across 2-3 accounts per phone. ### Tech Stack & Costs - MVP built with FlutterFlow ($39/month) - Backend used Firebase (free tier initially, later $1000/month) - Payments handled by Superwall ($49/month) - Event tracking used Mixpanel (free) - Profit margin is around 90% based on software costs. ### Final Advice - Take action before you feel totally ready, as learning from mistakes is vital for success - Focus on creating entertaining content first, rather than perfecting the technical stack or business operations early on. ![Screenshot at 00:01: The creator introduces the topic by stating he built approximately 10 apps that all failed, immediately setting the stage for a story of iteration.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/LYdJ3dfNCVs/00-00-01.png) ![Screenshot at 00:29: A screenshot of the app's sales analytics showing $802K in total sales over the last 365 days, highlighting the financial outcome of the successful app.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/LYdJ3dfNCVs/00-00-29.png) ![Screenshot at 00:43: A graphic illustrating the three-step process to success: 1. Finding the idea by studying TikTok comments, 2. Creating a viral video, and 3. Using a TikTok playbook.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/LYdJ3dfNCVs/00-00-43.png) ![Screenshot at 01:16: Louis demonstrates the GlowUp app interface, showing subscription options \($9.99/week\) and the personalized makeup routine feature.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/LYdJ3dfNCVs/00-01-16.png) ![Screenshot at 04:45: A slide detailing Step 1 of the TikTok playbook: 'Warm up tiktok account' requiring buying a US SIM card or using a VPN set to the United States.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/LYdJ3dfNCVs/00-04-45.png)