How did a Shopify app, built by a 25-year-old engineering student in a cramped apartment, grow to $55K MRR?

It wasn’t luck—it was strategy, persistence, and learning from failure.

WideBundle, founded by Mat De Sousa in 2020, helps Shopify merchants increase their average order value by creating bundles and offers. Today, it’s one of the leading apps in the Shopify App Store, generating $55K in monthly recurring revenue (MRR) with a lean team of six.

But the journey wasn’t smooth. Before WideBundle’s success, Mat experienced three failed Shopify apps and countless lessons learned. Let’s break down the exact steps Mat took to turn WideBundle into a thriving business.

The Problem They Solved

problems-solved

When Mat first entered the Shopify app space, he noticed a common pain point among merchants: the inability to create effective product bundles and offers directly on their stores.

Merchants wanted a simple solution to increase their average order value (AOV) without needing extensive technical knowledge. Yet, existing apps were either too complicated or didn’t address this specific need.

Mat validated the demand by diving into Shopify Facebook groups and forums. There, he found multiple merchants frustrated by the lack of an intuitive bundling solution. He even discovered three merchants who explicitly stated they wanted this feature but couldn’t find it in the App Store.

WideBundle was born out of this feedback loop, with a laser focus on solving one clear problem: helping merchants earn more by simplifying product bundles.

The Strategy

the-growth-strategy

WideBundle’s success didn’t come from a single breakthrough moment—it came from a series of focused, strategic decisions. By identifying the right audience, launching fast, and iterating continuously, Mat De Sousa created a product that Shopify merchants couldn’t resist.

In the early days, Mat relied heavily on community engagement to validate his idea. He immersed himself in Shopify Facebook groups, asking questions and starting conversations to uncover pain points.

A simple mockup shared in one group attracted over 100 comments, proving the demand for a bundling solution. 🤝

Once the idea was validated, Mat wasted no time. He built a basic, functional version of WideBundle in just 14 days. By focusing on the widget first—what merchants cared about most—he was able to start onboarding users quickly and gather real-world feedback.

From Facebook Groups to Influencers

WideBundle grew through a mix of organic and partnership-driven strategies. The app gained its first users through Facebook groups but later scaled significantly by launching on the Shopify App Store. Influencer partnerships were another key driver, as Mat collaborated with creators in the e-commerce space to promote the app to their engaged audiences.

  • Community Validation: Identified demand through conversations in Facebook groups.
  • Fast MVP Launch: Developed a working version in 14 days to start onboarding users.
  • Influencer Marketing: Leveraged partnerships with Shopify influencers for rapid growth.

In the end, WideBundle’s rise to $55K MRR was a result of consistent iteration, creative acquisition strategies, and a deep understanding of merchant needs.

Metrics & Milestones

metrics-milestones

WideBundle’s growth has been nothing short of impressive:

  • $55K MRR as of today.
  • 60 installs per day with a 25% churn rate.
  • Over 1,000 active merchants using the app.
Merchant growth of 433%

Takeaways & Practical Tips

takeaways-practical-tips

Here’s what SaaS founders can learn from WideBundle’s success:

Start With a Specific Problem. Solving one clear pain point is better than trying to build a product that does everything.

Validate Your Idea Early. Pre-sell your concept with mockups and gauge interest before building anything.

Don’t Overcomplicate the MVP. Focus on functionality and launch quickly. Iterate based on real user feedback.

Leverage Communities. Engage with niche communities to find early adopters and validate your product-market fit.

Invest in User Feedback. Use data to identify bottlenecks and improve your app continuously.

WideBundle’s journey from $0 to $55K MRR is a testament to the power of focus, persistence, and listening to your customers. Mat De Sousa didn’t let early failures stop him; instead, he used them as stepping stones to build a product that merchants truly needed.

The future looks bright for WideBundle, with plans to improve churn, increase ARPU, and expand their app portfolio.

If you’re a SaaS founder, take a page from Mat’s playbook: start small, listen to your users, and stay relentless.

You should also read how UpHex reached $190K MRR with only 4 employees.

How did a Shopify app, built by a 25-year-old engineering student in a cramped apartment, grow to $55K MRR?

It wasn’t luck—it was strategy, persistence, and learning from failure.

WideBundle, founded by Mat De Sousa in 2020, helps Shopify merchants increase their average order value by creating bundles and offers. Today, it’s one of the leading apps in the Shopify App Store, generating $55K in monthly recurring revenue (MRR) with a lean team of six.

But the journey wasn’t smooth. Before WideBundle’s success, Mat experienced three failed Shopify apps and countless lessons learned. Let’s break down the exact steps Mat took to turn WideBundle into a thriving business.

The Problem They Solved

problems-solved

When Mat first entered the Shopify app space, he noticed a common pain point among merchants: the inability to create effective product bundles and offers directly on their stores.

Merchants wanted a simple solution to increase their average order value (AOV) without needing extensive technical knowledge. Yet, existing apps were either too complicated or didn’t address this specific need.

Mat validated the demand by diving into Shopify Facebook groups and forums. There, he found multiple merchants frustrated by the lack of an intuitive bundling solution. He even discovered three merchants who explicitly stated they wanted this feature but couldn’t find it in the App Store.

WideBundle was born out of this feedback loop, with a laser focus on solving one clear problem: helping merchants earn more by simplifying product bundles.

The Strategy

the-growth-strategy

WideBundle’s success didn’t come from a single breakthrough moment—it came from a series of focused, strategic decisions. By identifying the right audience, launching fast, and iterating continuously, Mat De Sousa created a product that Shopify merchants couldn’t resist.

In the early days, Mat relied heavily on community engagement to validate his idea. He immersed himself in Shopify Facebook groups, asking questions and starting conversations to uncover pain points.

A simple mockup shared in one group attracted over 100 comments, proving the demand for a bundling solution. 🤝

Once the idea was validated, Mat wasted no time. He built a basic, functional version of WideBundle in just 14 days. By focusing on the widget first—what merchants cared about most—he was able to start onboarding users quickly and gather real-world feedback.

From Facebook Groups to Influencers

WideBundle grew through a mix of organic and partnership-driven strategies. The app gained its first users through Facebook groups but later scaled significantly by launching on the Shopify App Store. Influencer partnerships were another key driver, as Mat collaborated with creators in the e-commerce space to promote the app to their engaged audiences.

  • Community Validation: Identified demand through conversations in Facebook groups.
  • Fast MVP Launch: Developed a working version in 14 days to start onboarding users.
  • Influencer Marketing: Leveraged partnerships with Shopify influencers for rapid growth.

In the end, WideBundle’s rise to $55K MRR was a result of consistent iteration, creative acquisition strategies, and a deep understanding of merchant needs.

Metrics & Milestones

metrics-milestones

WideBundle’s growth has been nothing short of impressive:

  • $55K MRR as of today.
  • 60 installs per day with a 25% churn rate.
  • Over 1,000 active merchants using the app.
Merchant growth of 433%

Takeaways & Practical Tips

takeaways-practical-tips

Here’s what SaaS founders can learn from WideBundle’s success:

Start With a Specific Problem. Solving one clear pain point is better than trying to build a product that does everything.

Validate Your Idea Early. Pre-sell your concept with mockups and gauge interest before building anything.

Don’t Overcomplicate the MVP. Focus on functionality and launch quickly. Iterate based on real user feedback.

Leverage Communities. Engage with niche communities to find early adopters and validate your product-market fit.

Invest in User Feedback. Use data to identify bottlenecks and improve your app continuously.

WideBundle’s journey from $0 to $55K MRR is a testament to the power of focus, persistence, and listening to your customers. Mat De Sousa didn’t let early failures stop him; instead, he used them as stepping stones to build a product that merchants truly needed.

The future looks bright for WideBundle, with plans to improve churn, increase ARPU, and expand their app portfolio.

If you’re a SaaS founder, take a page from Mat’s playbook: start small, listen to your users, and stay relentless.

You should also read how UpHex reached $190K MRR with only 4 employees.

Ahmad Benguesmia
Latest posts by Ahmad Benguesmia (see all)
Ahmad Benguesmia
Latest posts by Ahmad Benguesmia (see all)

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