Founder’s Insights — Our Journey, Unfiltered
This is where everything behind the scenes lands.
The wild ideas, the crazy nights, the fails and the little wins that keep us going — all the things that truly make a startup a startup.
We’re not building this app in secret. We’re building it in public.
Why? Because we believe that’s exactly what sets great things apart: transparency, honesty, and the courage to show what others hide.
If you’re down to follow our journey — from the first line of code all the way to launch (and beyond) — you’re in the right place.
Let’s build.
Feature Update #3: The Ultimate Statistics Page Is Here
5 May 2025
The First 10,000: What We’ve Learned So Far
20 April 2025
10,000 followers. Over 50 people on our waitlist. And a founder who’s learning to breathe through the chaos.
When we started SayItFast, we had one goal: make language learning actually work – fast, real, and human. No grammar drills. No endless theory. Just practice, confidence, and flow.
Sounds simple. But building something from scratch never is.
We didn’t “go viral.” We just showed up.
The first 10,000 followers didn’t come from ads or hacks. They came from conversations. From listening. From showing what we believe, over and over again.
People don’t follow products. They follow purpose. And we’ve been honest about ours from day one.
50+ people on our waitlist = 50 real humans who believe
It’s not a huge number. But it means everything. Because it’s proof that what we’re building matters. That someone out there is waiting for it. That we’re not just talking into the void.
That’s momentum. That’s early traction. That’s fuel.
The mental game is the hardest part
No one really talks about this. But building a startup messes with your head. One day you’re flying. The next, you’re questioning everything.
And still… you keep going. Because someone messages you and says, “This is the first time language learning actually makes sense to me.”
That’s the win. Every time.
Here’s what we’ve learned:
• Show up. Every day. Especially when it’s hard.
• Growth isn’t always visible. But it’s always happening.
• It’s okay to slow down. It’s okay to rest.
• It’s your vision. No one else will see it until you make it real.
This is just the beginning.
We’re building a new way to learn languages – faster, smarter, and more human.
And we’re grateful you’re here for it.
Max, Founder of SayItFast
The First Ones. And What Comes Next.
11 April 2025
Two people.
Two real humans just signed up for the waitlist – right at the beginning. No app in the store yet. No ads. No hype. Just an idea slowly taking shape.
Sounds small. But to me, it’s huge.
What it means
It shows that the vision behind sayitfast already resonates – even before things officially launch.
Because let’s be honest: there are plenty of language learning apps. But I wanted to build something that goes beyond endless word lists. Something that doesn’t motivate with flashy points, but with real progress.
Yes, sayitfast has streaks — but not to pressure you. They’re a gentle push.
A sign that says: “You showed up. And that matters.”
Kickstarter is almost ready
While development continues (the chatbot is already production-ready!), I’m preparing the Kickstarter launch.
What I’m working on:
• Rewards & early access
• Demo videos & screenshots
• A landing page that shows why this app is different
If you’re reading this…
You’re one of the very first. Not just a future user — but part of the foundation.
You can help bring this project to life — from lines of code to a real app that makes a real difference.
Thank you for being here.
Thank you for being early.
Let’s build it. Together.
Feature Update #2 – Chatbot Ready, Memes Loading, Learning Gets Personal
3 April 2025
Hey there!
Here comes the second big update from the sayitfast engine room – our language learning app that thinks differently, sounds differently, and is finally taking real shape.
A lot has happened in the past few weeks. Some things are surprisingly stable already, others are still brewing – with lots of coffee, test versions, and a few too many bug fixes.
Here’s where we stand:
1. Chatbot: Done. Ready. Working.
After lots of testing and refining, the sayitfast chatbot is finally here.
Built on Google’s Vertex AI, it delivers exactly what you need when learning a language: real conversation, not just multiple-choice clicking. He’s:
• Fast, flexible, and context-aware
• Friendly, forgiving, and helpful
• Ready for small talk, everyday chat & vocab practice
Whether you’ve just learned something new or want to casually practice, the bot responds, understands, and supports you through real language experience.
He’s production-ready and already running internally – the app isn’t live yet, but the chatbot is on point.
2. Meme Feature – in progress (but already fun & helpful)
Language learning should feel light – even funny. That’s why sayitfast has included memes as real learning material from the beginning.
Here’s what we’re building right now:
• Topic packs: Memes sorted by Small Talk, Travel, Daily Life
• Swipe function: Right = helpful, Left = nope
• Early rating system: So the app knows what you like
• Less repetition – more relevant content
The feature isn’t final yet – but it already works surprisingly well. And the best part: humor + context = language that actually sticks. Next up: trending memes, community voting & smart recommendations.
3. Culture Facts – compact & real-life ready (in progress)
Language isn’t just words. That’s why we’re building Culture Cards – mini facts about daily life in each culture.
Planned:
• Swipeable visual cards
• Short, fun, surprising
• Standalone or inside lessons
Examples:
• In Korea, you hand things over with two hands
• In France, the number of greeting kisses changes by region
• In Spain, dinner often starts at 10 PM
Small, but powerful – and soon seamlessly integrated into your learning flow.
4. Personalized Learning Plan – in the works
The goal of sayitfast? Learning should adapt to you – not the other way around. We’re working hard to make that happen.
The personalized plan will:
• Track when you learn best
• Recognize your strengths and struggles
• Suggest content that fits your pace and style
Still in development, but the foundation is set. The vision: No pressure. No to-do lists. Just a smart flow that works for you.
TL;DR
• Chatbot is live internally – production-ready & made for real convo
• Meme feature is evolving – already fun & effective
• Culture cards & personalization – in the pipeline & coming soon
Thanks for being here so early. You’re not just someone who’ll “download this app someday” – You’re part of how it’s being built.
Until the next update
Max
Founder of sayitfast
Subscription? What Subscription? – When the Payment System Just Doesn’t Listen
26 March 2025
Okay. Real talk. We’ve got a problem. And it sounds simple at first:
A user pays – but the system doesn’t know it. No access. No subscription. No confirmation. Just… nothing.
What we thought would happen:
• User starts a subscription → Presses the button → Backend gets the signal → Access unlock → Done.
• Standard stuff, right? Every app does this. Should be fine.
What actually happens:
• User clicks “Start Subscription”
• App says: “Welcome!”
• Backend says: “Subscription? Never heard of it.”
No ping. No response. No connection.
And that’s brutal. Because this is the exact moment where trust breaks. To the user, it looks like they paid and got nothing. To us, it feels like we’ve built everything – only to fall flat at the invisible bridge between frontend, backend, and payment provider.
What we’re doing right now:
• Digging through logs
• Swearing at sandbox environments
• Debugging webhook events
• Running test payments, canceling, retrying, again and again
• And honestly? Drinking way too much coffee
What we’ve learned:
• Payment logic isn’t “just one module” – it’s a fragile ecosystem
• One timeout, one bad handshake, one missing event = broken flow
• And the worst part? You only see it when a real person tries it
Bottom line:
We’re on it. It’s not working yet – but we’re not stopping until it does. Because this is the moment where an app becomes a real product. And that moment has to work. Period.
More updates soon – hopefully with a big: “It’s live. It’s working. Finally.”
Until then: don’t quit. Keep building. – Max
Product Update #3 – It’s Finally Coming Together.
17 March 2025
After all the late nights, the debugging, the rethinking, and rebuilding… we can finally say:
It’s happening. For real.
For the first time, the product doesn’t feel like a shaky prototype anymore — It feels like an app we’re actually ready to put into the world.
What we’ve accomplished over the past days:
✅ Onboarding finalized
✅ First version of the learning unit is stable
✅ New languages integrated
✅ Loading times improved
✅ The app is finally (kind of) smooth
And the best part?
We handed it to someone who knew nothing about it. No briefing. No explanation. Just: “Here. Try it.”
And it worked. Not perfectly. Not bug-free. But the flow was there. And that moment? It meant everything.
What’s next:
We’re now prepping for our first beta test — with real users. Feedback, actual usage, real data. Reality check, here we go.
Bottom line:
Nothing’s live yet. Nothing’s guaranteed. But we’re moving in the right direction. And that’s more motivating than any all-nighter.
Let’s go. The finish line’s in sight.
Launch is coming.
Grind Mode On – Sleepless Nights, Zero Coffee Left
3 March 2025
No one really talks about what it’s like. How your mind feels blank but the code still isn’t done. How you stare at the screen at 2:49 AM thinking, “Why the hell isn’t this working?” And then… you keep going anyway.
The past few weeks have been tough.
Not because of some big drama — but because of the constant pressure to just make this thing work. Finalizing features. Fixing bugs. Turning feedback into tasks. Writing copy. Tweaking designs. Making decisions — then throwing them all out again.
Planning during the day, building at night, doubting in between.
And still: we keep going. Every single day.
Why?
Because there’s that little voice saying: “This is gonna be great. This is worth it.” And it’s louder than the doubt.
We don’t have a big launch event. No investors. No ping-pong tables. But we’ve got a vision, a lot of coffee, and zero intention of giving up.
And honestly?
This phase is hard — but it’s also exactly why we’re doing this. Because something real is being built in the middle of all this mess.
Let’s grind. Let’s build.
Next update coming once we’ve slept. Maybe.
Product Update #2 – The Moment of Truth: First Tests Are Live
25 February 2025
Alright, people — we’ve officially entered the testing phase.
After weeks (okay, let’s be real: months) of planning, prototyping, and endless feature debates, the app is now running on real devices for the first time. And yeah… it feels kinda surreal.
What’s happening right now:
✅ First internal test round → friends, friends of friends, and a few brave souls are tapping through the app
✅ Feedback overload → “Why is that button there?” / “Feels good!” / “I had no idea what this meant”
✅ Bugs, bugs, bugs → Nothing works perfectly on the first try. That’s why we test.
The honest truth:
You spend weeks building this thing, imagining how flawless it’ll be — and then someone tests it… and gets stuck on the very first screen. Swallow it. Fix it. Keep going.
What we’re learning:
• No feature is self-explanatory (no matter how “obvious” it felt)
• UX decisions will punch you in the face during testing
• But also: it works. And that feeling? Best one so far.
What’s next:
We’re collecting all the feedback, squashing the worst bugs, and then kicking off the second test round — with more users. The goal: it has to feel smooth. No guesswork. No friction. Just flow.
Stay tuned — this is getting real.
Feature-Update #1 – Stripping It Down to What Counts
12 February 2025
Today’s all about features. Or more precisely: what really matters — and what we’ve ruthlessly cut.
It all started with the classic way-too-long list: Spaced repetition, gamification, leaderboard, AI, speech recognition, dark mode, custom avatars…
Beginner mistake: too much ambition, not enough focus.
So we pulled out the scissors.
What stays — because it’s the core of the app:
✅ Vocab sets – for travel, everyday life, business – ready to go
✅ Create your own sets – because everyone learns differently
✅ Smart learning algorithm – no more mindless repetition
✅ Progress tracking – because progress keeps you going
✅ Favorites – your key vocab always just one tap away
What we’ve (for now) scrapped:
❌ Multiplayer mode – sounds cool, not a priority
❌ Points, badges, rankings – maybe later, but learning comes first
❌ Speech recognition – nice idea, too little value right now
❌ Dark mode – somewhere around priority #50 on the list
Why?
Because we had to remind ourselves why we’re building this at all: To help people learn vocabulary. Fast. Simple. Effective. No gimmicks. Just a system that works.
Next milestone:
The core feature set is locked. Now it’s about testing, refining, and making it smooth. Because flashy features mean nothing if no one’s actually learning.
Let’s build. Let’s move.
Product Update #1 – It’s Starting to Feel Real
4 February 2025
Okay, time for a quick update from the engine room – and yeah, it’s starting to feel real. The first actual screens are live, buttons are doing what they should, and we’ve officially moved past the phase where everything looked like wireframes.
What’s working so far:
✅ The start screen feels surprisingly good
✅ First vocab sets are integrated
✅ The spaced repetition logic is in place (tbh… way more annoying than expected)
✅ Custom vocab list feature is working — finally!
Still… everything feels kinda fragile. Like it could fall apart at any second — but maybe that’s just normal in this phase.
What we’re deep in right now:
• UX details — where do buttons actually make sense?
• Database optimization — pulling vocab sounds easy, it’s really not
• Design polish — why does it always take twice as long to feel “right”?
• Language logic — every language has its quirks, and we’re learning fast
That said:
It’s coming together. And we’re finally at the point where we could hand the app to someone and they wouldn’t be completely lost.
Far from perfect. But something’s taking shape — and honestly? That first time tapping through your own app? Pure chills.
Next step:
Internal test run. Friends and a few brave testers are getting their hands on it soon. Let’s see what survives.
Until then: back to building.
Let’s go.
Reality Check – From Excitement to Execution
19 January 2025
At some point in every project, there’s that moment where you realize: Okay — this is it. We’re actually doing this. No turning back. That’s exactly where we were.
The ideas were mapped out, the first scribbles were on paper — and then we sat there: Blank screens. Zero lines of code. Not a single pixel moved. And suddenly it hit us: “Alright. Talking stops here. This just got real.”
The first real step:
We started breaking down the user flows.
• How should someone move through the app?
• What do they see first?
• How do they start learning?
• And at what point does fun turn into confusion?
The deeper we got into it, the more we said: “Wow… this looked a lot easier on paper.”
The feeling?
Honestly — it was amazing and frustrating at the same time. Amazing, because something was finally happening. Suddenly, there was a button — and it actually clicked. Frustrating, because every tiny step raised ten new questions:
• How much design is too much?
• Do we really need another animation here?
• Why the hell isn’t this button working?
And behind it all, one big question kept spinning in our heads: “Will this ever look the way we imagined it?”
The reality check:
That was the moment we knew: This isn’t a sprint. It’s a long run. With stumbles, dead ends — and hopefully, moments where we look at it and say: “Damn. That turned out pretty damn good.”
From “Let’s Build This” to “What Did I Get Into?”
5 January 2025
After the idea was set, and I had already hyped myself up about how awesome this app could be, the moment hit. You know — that classic scene from every startup movie: “Okay… now what? Where do I even begin?”
I sat down at my laptop, opened a blank doc, and started writing out what this app had to do. Spoiler: I was completely overwhelmed after 30 minutes.
Suddenly everything was a question:
• How many languages should we launch with?
• Where do I even get all the vocabulary?
• Subscription model or one-time purchase?
• What should it look like?
• Native app or start with web only?
• And the big one: Who the hell is going to build this?
Then came the classic mistake:
I downloaded every vocab app I could find. And yeah — it took about five minutes to fall into comparison mode. Suddenly my idea felt tiny. Everything else looked so polished, so “done.”
But that’s when it hit me: That’s exactly why this needs to exist. An app that does what you actually need — no more, no less.
That phase felt like:
A head full of ideas. A browser full of tabs. A heart somewhere between “let’s just build it” and “damn, this might be way bigger than I thought.”
But honestly? It was kind of awesome. Because that was the moment I knew: This just got real.
Where It Began – The Spark That Started Sayitfast
21 December 2024
End of last year. Laptop open. Notes everywhere. Coffee cold. And I’d had enough.
I kept thinking:
“Why isn’t there a vocab app that actually works the way I’d want to use it?”
Not another one of those apps you download, open three times, and forget on page three of your homescreen. But something that actually gets you. Keeps you going. And genuinely makes you better.
That was the moment I said: F*ck it. I’m building it myself.
Of course, in my head, it was all super simple: A few vocab lists, clean UI, sprinkle in some spaced repetition — boom, done. Spoiler: it wasn’t.
But the idea was there. And it didn’t go away.
Suddenly the questions started stacking up:
• What should the pricing model be?
• Where do I get a solid vocab database?
• Which languages to launch with?
• How do I make this stand out from the 1,000 other apps in the store
And honestly? I had no clue. But I didn’t care. That’s exactly why I’m doing this. That’s why we’re sitting here right now, building this thing.
Because it’s time someone created something that actually works. For people who want to learn languages — without the bullshit.
This is the beginning. The first entry in this Founder’s Log.
And I’m taking you with me — on the whole ride. Through every win, and (spoiler) definitely through a few brutal lows too.
Let’s build.