Chad Sakonchick's entrepreneurial journey is anything but ordinary. From bootstrapping ventures in his parents' home to battling legal tech giants, his path is paved with both grit and innovation. But one key decision stands out: embracing no-code development to propel Better Legal to a million-dollar success story.
Early Hustles and Coding Headaches:
Chad's entrepreneurial spirit blossomed early. He dabbled in website creation, food truck apps, and event space platforms, encountering the frustrations of traditional coding head-on. Expensive developers, slow development cycles, and limited control plagued his efforts. He realized there had to be a better way.
The Birth of Better Legal and the Custom Code Cul-de-sac:
Inspiration struck when helping a lawyer friend automate legal document creation. This sparked Better Legal, offering affordable legal services through automation. Initially built with tools like Asana and Zapier, it worked, but revisions were cumbersome. Salesforce offered a solution, but its limitations and cost became roadblocks.
The No-Code Revelation and Bubble Bliss:
In 2022, mounting costs forced a development freeze. Enter Bubble, a no-code platform that ignited a lightbulb moment for Chad. In just 90 days, he rebuilt Better Legal with Bubble's drag-and-drop interface and pre-built components. Productivity soared, costs plummeted, and control shifted firmly into his hands.
The Winning No-Code Stack:
Bubble wasn't a solo act. Chad leveraged a powerful no-code stack:
- Productivity Sweet: Streamlining processes and building lightning-fast.
- The Masonry: Crafting reusable code blocks for Bubble, Zapier, and Make.
- Zapier & Make: Automating thousands of tasks monthly.
- Twilio & Lob: Handling communication and document delivery.
- Internal Bubble Apps: Replacing third-party subscriptions with custom solutions for task management and contact centers, saving thousands and boosting efficiency.
Battling Giants with No-Code Agility:
The legal tech space is a behemoth, but Chad sees no-code as Better Legal's secret weapon. Their lean team, empowered by no-code, translates to:
- Lower overhead costs: Fewer mouths to feed, less infrastructure burden.
- Agile development: Rapid iteration and adaptation to market demands.
- Competitive pricing: Offering high-quality services at lower costs.
The Money Talks: From Slow Burn to Growth Explosion:
Better Legal's initial growth was modest due to development constraints. However, with Bubble's flexibility, their Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) skyrocketed by 58%. Full control over their product led to higher attachment rates and a surge in revenue. Today, Better Legal boasts over $1 million in ARR and $2.5 million in total revenue, with no signs of slowing down.
Beyond the Code: A No-Code Success Story:
Chad's story is more than just a no-code success. It's a testament to resourcefulness, adaptability, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. He has shown that with the right tools and approach, even small teams can compete with giants, democratizing innovation and empowering entrepreneurs to build their dreams.
Key Takeaways for Aspiring No-Coders:
- Start small, scale gradually: Build confidence and expertise before tackling complex functionalities.
- Embrace the community: Learn from fellow no-coders, share your experiences, and contribute to the ecosystem's growth.
No-code isn't a magic bullet:
Evaluate your needs and the platform's capabilities to ensure a good fit.
By following Chad's example and leveraging the power of no-code, you too can unlock a world of possibilities and build your own entrepreneurial success story.
