Case Study: The SaaS Founder's Journey
Follow Sam, a developer, as he uses the 6ixSteps framework to build a successful micro-SaaS business for freelancers.
Step 1: Clarity
STEP 1.1
Finds His Ikigai
Sam connects his passion for coding and writing to solve a problem he knows first-hand.
STEP 1.2
Defines His Core Mission
Sam creates a mission to empower freelance writers to focus on their craft, not on admin tasks.
STEP 1.3
Identifies His Ideal Client
Sam narrows his focus to freelance writers struggling with spreadsheets and disorganized client management.
Step 2: Validation
STEP 2.1
Puts Assumptions to the Test
Sam questions his riskiest assumptions: Will writers pay a subscription? Do they want an all-in-one tool?
STEP 2.2
Gets Some Answers
Sam's interviews confirm that writers hate their current admin process and would pay for a simple, integrated solution.
STEP 2.3
Makes a Decision
With strong validation, Sam decides to persevere and build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
Step 3: Offer Stack
STEP 3.1
Designs His Offer Stack
Sam creates a 'freemium' model, from a free invoice template to a Pro plan for power users.
STEP 3.2
Crafts His Tiers
Sam translates features like 'one-click invoicing' into outcomes like 'getting paid faster and saving hours per month'.
STEP 3.3
Prices His Offers
Sam sets a price of $15/month for his Pro plan, making it an easy investment for a freelancer.
Step 4: Launch
STEP 4.1
Creates a Launch Blueprint
Sam plans a 30-day beta launch on Twitter and Reddit with a goal of 50 paid users.
STEP 4.2
Crafts His Message
Sam's messaging focuses on the core pain point: 'Spend more time writing, less time on admin'.
STEP 4.3
Builds a Launch Calendar
Sam plans his content to build excitement and gather a waitlist for his beta launch.
Step 5: Growth
STEP 5.1
Builds a Growth Engine
Sam designs an automated email sequence to guide users through setting up their first project and invoice.
STEP 5.2
Finds His Levers
Sam tracks key SaaS metrics: new sign-ups, activation rate, and monthly churn.
STEP 5.3
Builds His First System
Sam creates an SOP for customer support, using a simple ticketing system to manage user feedback.
Step 6: Scale
STEP 6.1
Expands His Reach
Sam brainstorms adding a proposals feature and marketing his tool to freelance designers.
STEP 6.2
Builds His Team
Sam hires a part-time community manager to handle customer support and social media.
STEP 6.3
Creates His Vision
Sam sets a 3-year vision to become the go-to business tool for 10,000 freelance creatives.