How did a startup founded by a 23-year-old English teacher in South Korea grow into a $2.5M/year resume-building powerhouse?
Rezi, the brainchild of Jacob Jacquet, has become synonymous with AI-powered resumes, serving over 2.6 million job seekers worldwide. Starting with a single Microsoft Word template, Rezi evolved into a sleek SaaS platform, dominating keywords like “AI Resume Builder” and cementing its place as an industry leader.
Let’s dive into the inspiring story behind Rezi’s growth, uncovering its challenges, pivotal moments, and the strategies that fueled its meteoric rise.
The Problem They Solved
The job application process is brutal—especially for those with less-than-stellar GPAs or unconventional backgrounds.
Jacob faced this firsthand. With a 2.2 GPA, he still managed to secure interviews at Google and Goldman Sachs—not because of his academic record, but because of his resume. His secret?
- Tailored content: Resumes designed to stand out to recruiters.
- ATS optimization: Formats that bypass automated hiring filters.
Recognizing that job seekers everywhere struggled with these same challenges, Jacob saw an opportunity to productize his approach. Rezi was born to level the playing field, giving anyone the tools to create resumes that land interviews.
The Strategy
Rezi’s journey to $2.5M ARR wasn’t a straight line—it was built on scrappiness, bold pivots, and creative thinking. Founder Jacob Jacquet started with a simple MVP: a resume template paired with a best practices guide. This low-cost, non-technical solution proved there was a demand for ATS-friendly resumes.
But the real game-changer came when Rezi pivoted from SEO professionals to academic job seekers. Recognizing the unique needs of this audience, Jacob tailored the platform to improve their writing and help them land interviews.
This shift unlocked exponential growth, taking Rezi from $2K MRR to $215K MRR. 📈
The integration of GPT-3 in 2020 further solidified Rezi’s edge, making it the first AI-powered resume builder. By the time AI adoption exploded, Rezi had already established itself as the go-to solution for job seekers worldwide.
Leveraging AI and Viral Marketing
Rezi’s explosive growth was driven by a combination of innovative technology and bold marketing strategies. By tapping into the power of AI early, Rezi positioned itself as a pioneer in resume creation, earning trust and visibility in a crowded market.
The team paired their cutting-edge technology with highly effective marketing tactics:
- Created viral short-form content on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to connect with job seekers.
- Partnered with AppSumo and StackCommerce to reach new audiences and drive user acquisition.
- Developed a clear, audience-first message that resonated with professionals and students alike.
These strategies allowed Rezi to not only scale rapidly but also establish itself as a trusted leader in the AI resume space.
Metrics & Milestones
Rezi’s growth is backed by impressive numbers:
- $2.5M annual revenue.
- 54.97% profitability.
- 432,638 monthly website visits, up 18% month-over-month.
- Customer Lifetime Value (CLV): $101.90.
Key inflection points include:
- Pivot to academic job seekers in 2019.
- AI integration in 2020.
- 70K signups from a single TikTok campaign in 2023.
Takeaways & Practical Tips
Here’s what other SaaS founders can learn from Rezi’s journey:
✅ Pivot for Product-Market Fit: Don’t be afraid to change your target audience if your current one isn’t working. Rezi’s shift to academic users unlocked exponential growth.
✅ Adopt Emerging Tech Early: Being the first to integrate GPT-3 gave Rezi a competitive edge when AI adoption exploded.
✅ Embrace Virality: Viral short-form content can create massive waves of new users. Test, iterate, and partner with influencers to amplify your reach.
✅ Focus on Profitability: Rezi’s lean team and strategic decision-making ensured sustainable growth without excessive dilution or wasted resources.
✅ Engage Authentically: Jacob’s use of Reddit and candid storytelling built trust and a loyal user base.
Rezi’s story is proof that great products, coupled with bold decisions and creative marketing, can achieve extraordinary results.
For SaaS founders, the takeaway is clear: focus on solving real problems, adapt to your audience, and never underestimate the power of being scrappy.
Another company that solved a real problem is Uscreen. They bootstraped their way to $20M ARR!
Ready to rewrite your SaaS growth story? Take a page out of Rezi’s playbook.
