1. Who is Zach Yadegari and what business did you start?
I’m Zach Yadegari, and my entrepreneurial journey began at a very young age when I was just 10 years old. Growing up, I always had this curiosity to create and innovate. I started by teaching coding lessons to others, and the idea of making money from something I enjoyed doing fascinated me. It was such a rewarding feeling, realising that I could not only learn but also help others while building something on my own. That was the spark that got me thinking about business.
When I was a bit older, I started working on various small projects. One of my first ventures was creating an unblocked gaming site, which turned out to be a major learning experience for me. During the COVID-19 lockdown, it gained over 5 million users, and that was when I realised the true potential of building something scalable that people genuinely needed. It was during this time that I truly understood the power of problem-solving and the importance of identifying real-world pain points.
My passion for building impactful ventures grew even more after watching movies like The Social Network. Seeing Mark Zuckerberg build Facebook and turn it into something huge was a wake-up call for me. It made me realise that with the right idea and execution, technology could be a game-changer and an avenue for creating something truly big. I wanted to build something on that level, something that wasn’t just about trading time for money but rather creating a lasting impact.
This eventually brought me to my latest venture, Cal AI. After working on the gaming site and another project called Grind Clock, I teamed up with Blake and Henry, and we began discussing ways to solve real problems using AI. That is how Cal AI was born, to make nutrition tracking simple, accurate, and easy through AI-powered image recognition. We wanted to tackle the frustrations people had with traditional apps like MyFitnessPal, and that is how the journey to creating Cal AI began.
2. How did you get the idea of cal ai and what problem does it solve?
The idea for Cal AI came about during the pandemic, when I was reflecting on all the challenges people were facing in terms of maintaining their health and wellness. Having worked on a few projects before, I always knew that technology could be used to solve real-world problems, but the question was, what problem could we tackle next?
At the time, I was personally struggling with tracking my nutrition. I found apps like MyFitnessPal really frustrating to use, especially when it came to manually logging everything I ate. The process felt tedious and time-consuming, and I realised that it wasn’t just me. Millions of people must have been experiencing the same thing. I would start using the app, but within a few days, I’d fall off track because I just couldn’t keep up with the constant manual entry.
That’s when the idea hit me. What if there’s a way to simplify this process? Instead of manually logging every meal, why not leverage AI to make the entire process easier? I spoke to my co-founders, Blake and Henry, and we began brainstorming. After our discussions, we realised that image recognition could be the solution. The idea was simple: you take a photo of your meal, and AI would estimate the nutritional content with a high degree of accuracy. No more typing out every ingredient. Just take a picture, and the app will do it’s work.
Cal AI solves the problem of making nutrition tracking effortless and more accurate. By using AI-powered image recognition, we can provide users with nutritional insights that are 90% accurate under optimal conditions. The app also comes with a massive food database, barcode scanning, and even natural language meal descriptions. This is a significant improvement over traditional apps that rely on manual data entry, making the process faster, more reliable, and far less time-consuming for users. It is all about helping people live healthier lives without the friction of tracking every single calorie.
3. How did you create the first version of cal ai app ?
Creating the first version of Cal AI was an exciting but challenging process. I knew from the start that this app needed to be powered by advanced technology like AI, but as a small team, we had to be resourceful.
The first step was assembling the right people. I partnered with Blake and Henry, both of whom brought unique strengths to the table. Blake had experience building and scaling apps, while Henry was a genius when it came to the technical side of things. Together, we sketched out the initial concept, focusing on how to make calorie tracking as seamless as possible using image recognition.
We began with a minimal viable product (MVP) approach. The goal was to create something functional and test it quickly, rather than aiming for perfection. For the AI-powered image recognition feature, we used existing machine learning libraries and datasets to train the algorithm. Building an AI that could accurately identify food from images was tricky. Lighting, angles, and food textures all posed challenges, but we kept refining the model through testing and feedback.
On the design front, we wanted the app to feel intuitive and easy to use. While Henry worked on the backend, I collaborated with Blake on the user interface and experience. We kept the design simple, focusing on features like quick photo uploads, barcode scanning, and an easy-to-navigate dashboard.
The initial development was bootstrapped with the funds we had from our earlier projects. It wasn’t fancy, but it worked. Once we had a working prototype, we tested it among a small group of users, collecting their feedback and making improvements. Those early testers were crucial in helping us understand what was working for us and what we could improve.
By the time we launched the first version, we had a product that was functional and met our core objective of simplifying calorie tracking. It wasn’t perfect, but it was enough to validate the idea and attract our first wave of users.
4. What is the process you followed to launch your business and how did you get your initial customers?
Launching Cal AI was all about taking bold steps, being resourceful, and focusing on the right strategies to get noticed. Once we had a functional version of the app, we knew the next big challenge was making people aware of it and convincing them to give it a try.
The first thing we did was to identify our target audience. We focused on the 15–25 age group because they’re tech-savvy and health-conscious but often find traditional calorie-tracking apps cumbersome. Understanding this demographic helped us shape our messaging and marketing approach.
To create a buzz, we decided to bypass traditional advertising and go straight to influencer marketing. Instead of working through agencies, we reached out directly to influencers who aligned with our brand and had an authentic connection with their audience. This direct approach made the partnerships feel more genuine, and it also saved us a lot of money. Influencers started sharing their experiences with the app, showing how it simplified calorie tracking and fit into their fitness journeys.
We also launched on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, which are hotspots for our target audience. Short, engaging videos showcasing the app’s features, like the AI-powered photo recognition tool, helped grab attention quickly. These platforms gave us the ability to go viral without spending heavily on promotions.
Another key move was offering a free version of the app with essential features. This gave users a chance to try Cal AI risk-free. Once they saw its value, many of them upgraded to the paid version for access to premium features. Word-of-mouth played a big role here, as satisfied users started recommending the app to their friends and followers.
We also took the feedback from our early users seriously. Engaging with them, addressing their concerns, and showing that we cared about their experience helped us build trust and loyalty. Their feedback not only helped us improve the app but also created a sense of community around Cal AI.
By combining direct influencer marketing, social media campaigns, and a user-focused approach, we were able to attract our first wave of customers. This laid a strong foundation for the rapid growth that followed.
5. What strategies have you found effective in attracting and retaining customers?
Attracting Customers:
- Direct Influencer Marketing:
Partnering directly with influencers rather than agencies created authentic campaigns. Influencers shared their real experiences, making the app relatable and trustworthy. - Social Media Platforms:
Platforms like TikTok and Instagram were key for creating engaging, short-form content that highlighted the app’s features, helping it go viral among our target audience. - Freemium Model:
Offering a free version of the app allowed users to experience its core features without any upfront commitment. Many of these users later upgraded to the premium version for advanced features. - Showcasing Unique Features:
Highlighting our AI-powered image recognition tool in marketing materials helped us stand out from competitors and attracted users looking for innovative calorie-tracking solutions. - Community Engagement:
Hosting live sessions, responding to user queries, and being active on social platforms built a sense of connection and trust with our audience.
Retaining Customers:
- User-Friendly Interface:
A seamless and intuitive user experience kept users engaged, ensuring they returned to the app regularly. - Personalised Features:
Features like customised health recommendations and progress tracking made the app valuable for users with diverse fitness goals. - Continuous Updates:
Rolling out regular updates with new features and improvements based on user feedback kept the app fresh and relevant. - Gamification:
Adding elements like streaks, badges, and leaderboards encouraged users to stay consistent and motivated. - Building a Community:
Creating a space where users could share their journeys, tips, and successes fostered a sense of belonging and long-term engagement. - Loyalty Rewards:
Offering discounts on yearly subscriptions and rewards for referrals incentivised users to stick with the app and bring in their friends.
These strategies have not only helped us grow quickly but also ensured that our users remain satisfied and loyal to Cal AI.
6. What business lesson you learned while building and scaling cal.ai?
Building and scaling Cal AI taught me several valuable business lessons that I’ll carry forward in my entrepreneurial journey:
1. Focus on Solving a Real Problem:
The foundation of a successful business lies in solving a genuine pain point. I realised that people found calorie tracking tedious, and by addressing this with AI-powered simplicity, we created a product users truly needed.
2. Keep Things Simple:
While it’s tempting to over-engineer features, simplicity wins. A straightforward, user-friendly design made Cal AI accessible to all, which was critical in attracting and retaining users.
3. Leverage the Power of Authentic Marketing:
Traditional advertising methods didn’t work for us as effectively as influencer marketing. Building direct relationships with influencers ensured our campaigns felt genuine, which resonated better with our audience.
4. Adapt Quickly to Feedback:
Users are your best source of improvement ideas. Listening to their feedback and incorporating changes quickly helped us refine the app and stay ahead of the competition.
5. Build a Strong Team:
Having co-founders with complementary skills was a game-changer. Blake brought strategic experience, Henry handled the technical aspects, and Jake drove operations. Delegating effectively allowed us to scale faster.
6. Stay Scrappy and Agile:
In the early stages, resources were limited, so being scrappy helped us maximise impact with minimal investment. Agile decision-making and execution kept us moving fast.
7. Scaling Is About Systems, Not Just Effort:
As we grew, I learned the importance of creating scalable systems for marketing, product development, and customer support. Without these, growth can become chaotic.
8. Retention Is as Important as Acquisition:
Attracting users is one thing, but keeping them engaged is what sustains growth. Features like gamification and personalised recommendations played a big role in improving retention.
9. Know Your Numbers:
Metrics like Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) and Lifetime Value (LTV) were essential for making informed decisions. Understanding these numbers helped us optimise our marketing spend and overall strategy.
10. Be Resilient:
There were moments when challenges felt overwhelming—whether it was perfecting the AI or managing the team alongside the school. Resilience and adaptability were key to pushing through those tough times.
These lessons have shaped me as a founder and made me more confident in tackling future ventures. Every challenge was an opportunity for us to learn and grow.
7. What platforms/tools do you use for your business?
Social Media Platforms: TikTok & Instagram
Graphic Designing: Canva
Hosting: Bluehost
Team Communication: Slack
Managing Tasks: Notion
Feedback: Typeform
Payments: Stripe
Finances: Zoho
8. Which books, podcasts, or other resources have been the most influential for you?
Books:
“Zero to One” by Peter Thiel
“The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries
“Atomic Habits” by James Clear
Podcasts:
“How I Built This” by Guy Raz
“The Tim Ferriss Show”
Other Resources:
Indie Hackers Communities
9. What advice would you give young entrepreneurs who are just starting or looking to get started?
My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to start small but dream big, focusing on solving real problems. Validate your idea early with an MVP and let customer feedback shape your product. Do not fear failure as it is a stepping stone to success. Lastly, build a strong team that complements your skills and shares your vision.
Also Read stories of other Founders:
How Sahil Bloom grew his 8 figure business on Twitter
How this man went from drug dealer to $100 million company founder
