This one line is a hidden masterclass on how to build a viral product.
“I didn’t set out to build a company - I set out to build a really fun product for me and my friends.”
Dylan Diamond founded Saturn, a social calendar app, as a sophomore in high school.
Today, the app is used by over 1.6 million students every month.
BUT they want their users to spend as little time on the app as possible.
I asked him, “Why? If you were a true capitalist, wouldn’t you increase time spent on the app for more ad revenue?”
He responded: “I didn’t set out to create the product as a capitalist.”
Why is this important? Three reasons:
1. Authenticity drives adoption. Dylan tapped into real user needs by focusing on creating something genuinely useful for himself and his friends rather than chasing vanity metrics or business ideas.
2. User-centric design breeds loyalty. Prioritizing user experience and efficiency over engagement metrics builds trust and encourages organic growth through word-of-mouth.
3. Purpose trumps profit. Having a clear mission beyond making money allows for decisions that may seem counterintuitive from a purely financial standpoint but ultimately lead to more sustainable long-term success.
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The link to my full interview with Dylan can be found in my bio.
Gabe Lupin I have applied for the iOS role at Saturn, would love to chat to discuss opportunities at Saturn.