I built a $70M app using this easy viral strategy (copy me)
Thu Jan 22 2026
In this episode of Startup Strategies, Juliana sits down with KJ Chen, the founder who abandoned a 3 million user AI novel platform to build Macaron, scaled to 300,000+ users in under 6 months with a $70M valuation, all while training custom AI models and creating a viral marketing engine that pays creators based on performance instead of upfront fees.
KJ Chen shares how:
He pivoted from 3 million users to build Macaron and scaled to 300,000+ users in under 6 monthsHe created a viral marketing engine that rewards creators based on performance, not upfront feesHis "absurd" user-generated content converted better than polished product demosHe used the problem-solution-code framework to turn TikTok videos into a product-led growth loopHe plans to launch 200,000 SEO-optimized mini app landing pages as free traffic enginesHe trained custom AI models to create apps that feel different from anything else on the marketLet's break down his Startup Strategies.
Links and resources:
FREE Startup Marketing Cheatsheet
FREE $1M ARR SaaS Marketing Playbook
Join the Startup Strategies Newsletter for weekly growth & marketing breakdowns.
Let’s connect:
Tiktok
Instagram
LinkedIn
Youtube
X
Need help with growing & marketing your startup? Work with us.
Make sure you hit FOLLOW or the + sign so you don’t miss out on future episodes on everything growth & marketing for your startup.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode of Startup Strategies, Juliana sits down with KJ Chen, the founder who abandoned a 3 million user AI novel platform to build Macaron, scaled to 300,000+ users in under 6 months with a $70M valuation, all while training custom AI models and creating a viral marketing engine that pays creators based on performance instead of upfront fees. KJ Chen shares how: He pivoted from 3 million users to build Macaron and scaled to 300,000+ users in under 6 monthsHe created a viral marketing engine that rewards creators based on performance, not upfront feesHis "absurd" user-generated content converted better than polished product demosHe used the problem-solution-code framework to turn TikTok videos into a product-led growth loopHe plans to launch 200,000 SEO-optimized mini app landing pages as free traffic enginesHe trained custom AI models to create apps that feel different from anything else on the marketLet's break down his Startup Strategies. Links and resources: FREE Startup Marketing Cheatsheet FREE $1M ARR SaaS Marketing Playbook Join the Startup Strategies Newsletter for weekly growth & marketing breakdowns. Let’s connect: Tiktok Instagram LinkedIn Youtube X Need help with growing & marketing your startup? Work with us. Make sure you hit FOLLOW or the + sign so you don’t miss out on future episodes on everything growth & marketing for your startup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.