How Amin Yazdani Built Craver to $2M in Revenue by 2023
Who is Amin Yazdani?
Amin Yazdani, founder of Craver, is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, and has a background in software development, applying his expertise to create affordable mobile app solutions for small restaurants to thrive during the pandemic.
What problem does Craver solve?
Craver helps small restaurants save money and maintain control by building their own affordable, personalized delivery apps instead of paying hefty fees to third-party platforms.
How did Amin come up with the idea for Craver?
In 2017, Amin Yazdani got the idea for Craver when several local restaurants approached his software development company, seeking custom delivery apps. However, the costs of creating individualized apps were too high for these small businesses, which spurred Amin to think more broadly. He asked himself if there was a way to develop a single platform that could be used by multiple restaurants, not just one.
With this insight, Amin focused on creating a customizable app-building platform specifically for restaurants. He conducted research to understand the needs of small restaurant owners, especially during the pandemic when delivery became essential. To validate his idea, Amin gathered feedback from restaurant owners and refined the platform to address issues like high fees from third-party delivery services, focusing on affordability and ease of use.
One challenge was ensuring the app felt personal while serving many different businesses. Amin overcame this by allowing for customization, enabling each restaurant to maintain its identity. The key lesson here was the importance of creating technology solutions that empower small businesses by giving them tools that are typically only accessible to larger companies.
How did Amin Yazdani build the initial version of Craver?
Amin Yazdani built Craver by developing a mobile platform specifically for small restaurants, enabling them to create their own customized apps for mobile delivery. Initially, Yazdani's team faced the challenge of creating a one-size-fits-all solution that multiple restaurants could use, as the cost of custom apps was prohibitive for individual small business owners. They employed tools like Shift to manage daily workflows and integrated platforms such as Unbounce, Hubspot, and Slack for development and communication. The process began in earnest around 2017, with Yazdani leveraging his software development background to streamline the app-building process, although the exact time to complete the first version isn't publicly detailed. The project demanded creating a scalable solution that balanced affordability with the features necessary for competition against third-party delivery apps, which was a significant technical and financial challenge.
What was the growth strategy for Craver and how did they scale?
Outbound Sales
Craver's primary growth channel is a focused and aggressive outbound sales approach. The CEO, Amin Yazdani, has heavily relied on outbound sales tactics to reach small and medium-sized restaurants that benefit from their mobile app solutions. The company uses software like HubSpot to manage their sales and customer engagement processes efficiently.
Why it worked: Direct outbound sales allowed Craver to target specific businesses that could benefit the most from their platform. By zeroing in on this niche, the team could directly demonstrate the value of customized apps in improving restaurant operations and increasing customer engagement, especially during the pandemic when contactless solutions became critical.
Partnerships and Networking
Craver's success can also be attributed to strong partnerships and active involvement in the tech community. Based in Vancouver, the supportive tech ecosystem provided numerous opportunities for collaborations and partnerships that were crucial in gaining traction.
Why it worked: This ecosystem of support helped Craver tap into a network of potential customers and collaborators, facilitating expansion across North America and beyond. Collaborations provided credibility and a platform to showcase the effectiveness of their app-building technology, which in turn attracted more customers seeking similar solutions.
Customer Engagement and Retention
Craver has effectively utilized customer engagement technology to not only acquire new clients but also retain existing ones. Their apps allow restaurants to directly connect with their customers, offering personalized service and gathering feedback to improve their offerings.
Why it worked: By enabling restaurants to maintain direct control over their customer interactions, Craver improved customer satisfaction and loyalty. The apps helped businesses by keeping them connected with their patrons, allowing for tailored marketing and promotions that encouraged repeat business, effectively driving growth from within their existing customer base.
What's the pricing strategy for Craver?
Craver offers custom mobile app solutions for restaurants with commission-free plans, no setup fees, and no long-term contracts for an affordable, scalable price.
Craver App Pricing
What were the biggest lessons learned from building Craver?
- Adapt Fast to Market Needs: Craver successfully tapped into the demand for affordable, customizable apps for restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic, showing how rapidly responding to market changes can secure a business's place in the industry.
- Focus on Main Goals: The founder emphasized the importance of identifying and focusing on the most crucial task each day. This approach prevents spreading efforts too thin and helps achieve significant progress on critical objectives.
- Leverage Local Support: Craver's growth was partly fueled by the supportive tech community in Canada, illustrating how leveraging local resources and networks can be pivotal for startup success.
- Empower the Underdogs: By providing small restaurants with the technology to compete with larger chains, Craver demonstrated the strength of helping underrepresented groups to thrive, which can also carve out a niche market for new businesses.
- Consistent Growth Matters: Craver's steady revenue increase from $250K in 2019 to $2M in 2023 highlights the importance of sustainable growth rather than abrupt scaling, ensuring long-term business health.
What platform/tools does Craver use?
Discover Similar Business Ideas Like Craver
More about Craver:
Who is the owner of Craver?
Amin Yazdani is the founder of Craver.
When did Amin Yazdani start Craver?
2019
What is Amin Yazdani's net worth?
Amin Yazdani's business makes an average of $167K/month.
How much money has Amin Yazdani made from Craver?
Amin Yazdani started the business in 2019, and currently makes an average of $2M/year.
