How Two MBAs Grew a Relationship App to 1.5K Users Pre-Launch

January 3rd, 2025

Founded By

Luke Fraker

Founders

Profitable

Yes

Year Started

2021

Customer

B2C

Founded By
Luke Fraker: Founders
2

Profitable
Yes: Year Started
2021

Customer
B2C

Who is Luke Fraker?

Luke Fraker and David Klippel, co-founders of coBlossom, met while pursuing MBAs at The Wharton School, leveraging their backgrounds from Microsoft to build an app enhancing relationship wellness.

Luke Fraker and David Klippel

What problem does coBlossom Inc. solve?

coBlossom helps busy couples easily stay connected and break routine by offering fun, engaging activities that strengthen their relationship amidst hectic schedules.

coBlossom Homepage

How did Luke come up with the idea for coBlossom Inc.?

David Klippel and Luke Fraker came up with the idea for coBlossom after realizing how challenging it was to maintain a strong connection with their partners amidst busy schedules. Their personal experiences with distant relationships during their MBA at Wharton inspired them to consider how technology might bridge this gap. They noticed that existing solutions were either too focused on therapy or lacked engagement, which led them to think of a more entertaining and engaging approach.

To validate their idea, the pair conducted over 100 interviews with other couples and relationship therapists, gathering insights and confirming a shared need for fun and flexible activities to enhance relationship wellness. As they refined their concept, they received feedback suggesting that couples wanted engaging activities that could also represent their relationship growth. Despite challenges in balancing their own demanding lives while developing coBlossom and collecting feedback, their personal dedication to relationship wellness helped them persevere.

The key lesson learned from their process was the importance of creating a solution rooted in their personal experiences while making it universally applicable through rigorous validation with other couples. Their personal motivation and comprehensive research ensured that coBlossom was not just a product of their wants but a response to a broader need, ultimately guiding them to develop a platform that brings joy and connection to couples in the modern world.

How did Luke Fraker build the initial version of coBlossom Inc.?

David Klippel and Luke Fraker, the co-founders of coBlossom, developed the app by first identifying the gap in relationship wellness tools that are fun and engaging, as opposed to overly therapeutic. They spent the summer of 2021 building a beta version, using feedback from over 100 interviews with couples and relationship therapists to inform their design and functionality. Their tech stack included tools and platforms for mobile app development, although specific technologies are not disclosed, it's clear they prioritized accessibility across iOS and Android. The beta testing phase revealed a strong demand for more interactive and engaging features, which led to months of iterative development and updates. Building the app was challenging, requiring adaptation from initial beta feedback, and the founders faced typical startup uncertainties, but their commitment to the mission kept them focused.

What was the growth strategy for coBlossom Inc. and how did they scale?

coBlossom effectively utilized social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to reach couples interested in enhancing their relationships. They kept their audience engaged by sharing tips and updates about their app, along with relationship advice that appeals to their target demographic. By maintaining a consistent social presence, they were able to build a community and create awareness around their app. This steady interaction also helped them to gather feedback and make improvements based on their users' needs.

coBlossom Instagram Page

Why it worked: Social media provided a direct line to their target audience, allowing coBlossom to engage with potential users on platforms where couples are actively looking for relationship advice and tools. This engagement helped foster a sense of community and trust around the brand, which translated into increased app downloads and usage.

App Store Optimization (ASO)

coBlossom utilized App Store Optimization to improve their app's visibility and encourage downloads on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. They focused on relevant keywords, compelling descriptions, and appealing visuals to attract users' attention. By optimizing their app listings, they were able to reach more couples interested in apps that can aid in relationship building, thus driving downloads organically.

Why it worked: ASO allowed coBlossom to stand out among other relationship apps by ensuring that they appeared in search results for terms their audience would likely use. This organic growth method was essential for reaching users who were actively searching for solutions to enhance their relationships, leading to a higher conversion rate from views to downloads.

Word-of-Mouth and Networking

coBlossom benefitted from word-of-mouth recommendations and networking within their community. The founders talked to many couples and therapists while developing the app, which not only provided valuable insights but also helped spread the word about the app. Furthermore, they implemented a student ambassador program to extend their reach and encourage users to share the app with their peers, particularly in academic settings where long-distance relationships are common.

Why it worked: Leveraging personal connections and community networks allowed coBlossom to reach users who might not have found the app through traditional marketing channels. The trust and credibility established through word-of-mouth recommendations and ambassador endorsements were instrumental in building their user base.

Local Advertising

coBlossom targeted local advertising in coffee shops and date spots in their home city of Philadelphia to capture the attention of couples looking for new ways to connect. This approach helped them increase visibility and credibility within the local community. By being present in places already associated with relationship activities, they effectively reached couples at the ideal time when they were contemplating enhancing their relationship experience.

Why it worked: Local advertising was effective because it targeted couples in environments where they were likely discussing relationship activities, thus creating a natural setting for them to consider downloading an app like coBlossom. By focusing on local engagement, they could quickly gain traction and establish a solid user base in their locality before scaling to a broader audience.

What's the pricing strategy for coBlossom Inc.?

coBlossom uses a freemium model offering free access to essential features, while premium features are expected to launch soon with mini-games and relationship analytics.

What were the biggest lessons learned from building coBlossom Inc.?

Navigate Together: Having a co-founder in the early stages helped coBlossom's founders manage uncertainty and stay motivated. Partnering with someone you trust can make handling doubts manageable.
Prototype Efficiently: They emphasized building quick and cheap prototypes, allowing them to gather feedback early and refine their product. Fast iterations can save time and resources.
Listen Routinely: Regularly talking to potential customers and collecting feedback was key to their development process. Constant listening helps in aligning the product with real user needs.
Build a Complementary Team: The founders benefited from having a team with diverse skill sets. Combine different strengths within your team for efficient problem-solving.
Stay Resilient: They faced ups and downs typical of startups but pushed through by staying focused on their mission of enhancing relationships. Perseverance is vital in overcoming entrepreneurial challenges.

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