We caught up with Paul to learn how and why he came to create the app.
Where did the idea for the app come from?
Were you trying to solve a problem you’d experienced, or did the inspiration come from somewhere else?
After you came up with the idea, what was the next step?
(similar to theReporter appby Nicholas Felton).
That the app should be a simple journal, and to start with that.
How did you choose which platforms to target and which to ignore or wait on?
Apple’s App StoresMac and iOSare massive features of these operating systems.
There are so many useful and innovative tools on there, with new ones launching every day.
It’s ridiculous how many apps are on my phone.
What was your biggest roadblock and how did you overcome it?
Trying to do too much too fast.
Timing is a crucial element of success, but there has to be a balance.
What was launch like for you?
And it came true.
How do you handle user requests and criticisms effectively?
User feedback was incredibly useful for the first year, and still is today.
I launched the app without many features you’d expect from a journal.
Now, how do you split time between developing new features and managing existing ones?
We just passed the three-year anniversary for the launch of Day One.
What advice would you give to others that want to take on a similar project?
Work with the best people.
I’ve been very fortunate to bring together some of the best people you could ask for.
They love what they do and they do it very well.
And they are easy to get along with.
Don’t get hung up on superfluous animations and design detailsmake it look good and function better.
Strive to do something new and unexpected.
Have someone you’d like to see featured?
