Over the past year and a half, I've been juggling multiple projects, testing ideas to see what sticks. While some, like MiniFigure AI and ReviewHeroAI, showed promise, I realized that spreading myself too thin prevented me from making a significant impact. SOAP Note AI consistently stood out with the most potential to grow and bring meaningful value to users. Earlier this year, I decided to focus all my energy on it. In this post, I'll share why I made this shift and what's next for SOAP Note AI.
Why SOAP Note AI Deserves My Full Focus
Organic Growth Without Marketing Spend
By the end of last year, I reached a turning point with SOAP Note AI. Unlike my other projects, it was steadily gaining customers without a single marketing dollar spent. When I reached out to these users, they shared how much the tool helped them streamline their documentation process. Hearing their stories and realizing the tangible impact on their daily lives filled me with a sense of purpose.
Market Validation and Competitive Attention
Around the same time, the market for AI healthcare tools was booming. New competitors appeared almost daily, and I noticed that they were bidding on SOAP Note AI keywords. Seeing this was both humbling and exhilarating. It felt like a David versus Goliath scenario - me, a solo founder, against well-funded companies. Instead of feeling discouraged, I was energized by the competition. It validated the work I was doing and motivated me to push even harder.
In contrast, my other projects didn't show the same trajectory. MiniFigure AI saw a steep drop-off in usage after the initial viral posts. DAPNotes and MassageNotes attracted some customers but lacked the momentum of SOAP Note AI. However, these projects will continue to receive the updates I make to SOAP Note AI because they are built on the same tech platform. ReviewHero AI gained steady users but lacked a payment component, limiting its long-term potential.
Seeing SOAP Note AI's growth and the market's rapid expansion made the decision to focus here an easy one. This project had both the traction and competitive validation I had been looking for—it was time to go all in.
Listening to Users and Building What Matters
Implementing User-Requested Features
My strategy has always been rooted in learning directly from users. By actively listening to customer feedback, I've been able to build features that address real needs and improve the experience for everyone.
Earlier this year, customers requested a subscription plan to avoid the hassle of entering payment information repeatedly. This often interrupted their workflow. To my surprise, the subscription became one of the most preferred options, highlighting the importance of a seamless experience in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
Another valuable insight came from users who wanted to store and access their notes after they were generated. Recognizing that these notes could contain Protected Health Information (PHI), I partnered with a firm to complete a HIPAA-compliance audit. This ensured that SOAP Note AI meets all necessary standards for secure data storage. This step not only increased trust but also expanded the platform's functionality to meet a critical need.
Introducing the AI Scribe and Audio Dictation
Listening to users also led to one of SOAP Note AI's most impactful features: the AI Scribe and Audio Dictation. This tool allows SOAP Note AI to "listen" to patient-provider conversations and generate a comprehensive visit note in minutes. Users can also dictate their voice notes, and SOAP Note AI will turn them into structured SOAP notes.
A Heartfelt Message
After launching the audio features, I received a moving message from a blind healthcare professional. They shared how SOAP Note AI made their work more manageable, enabling them to perform tasks that were previously challenging. This unexpected impact reinforced my commitment to making the platform inclusive and accessible. It's incredibly rewarding to see how, for many providers - including those with visual impairments - SOAP Note AI saves hours and makes documentation more accessible.
Balancing Time and Focus
Dedicating myself fully to SOAP Note AI means wearing many hats—developer, customer support, marketer, and more. Each role demands careful time management. I streamline feature development by reducing scope when necessary, prioritize urgent customer support issues, and incrementally prepare for demos to showcase the platform effectively.
Current Challenges and Lessons Learned
Navigating a Crowded Market
Focusing solely on SOAP Note AI has clarified my path but also highlighted some challenges. The healthcare AI market is crowded, with competitors that are heavily venture-funded. Acquiring customers is everyone's top priority, and while I don't have the same resources, I have something just as valuable: unwavering dedication fueled by the knowledge that my work is genuinely helping people.
Below is an infographic put together by a16z in the AI Scribe space.
After the initial hype settles, I believe the products that continue to provide real value at a fair price will be the ones that stay in business.
The Advantage of Being Bootstrapped
Being bootstrapped means I'm not under pressure to grow at all costs. I can focus on sustainable growth, building features that genuinely help users without overextending. At the same time, I don't want to be complacent - I'm exploring all channels to expand the customer base and make SOAP Note AI a lasting solution for healthcare providers.
Key Lesson: Focusing on Underlying Needs
One of the most valuable lessons I've learned is that focusing on what customers want doesn't always mean building exactly what they ask for. Often, it requires peeling back the layers to understand the real issue.
For example, when a customer asked for a specific format for their notes, the deeper problem was that the platform didn't offer enough flexibility for them to make simple edits themselves. The solution wasn't just to add specific formats but to empower users with better editing capabilities overall. By addressing the underlying need, SOAP Note AI becomes a more versatile tool for everyone.
Key Lesson: Building a Strong Foundation
Another key lesson is the importance of strengthening the product's foundation. Adding feature upon feature without a solid base can create issues down the line.
I've received multiple requests for SOAP Note AI to be able to listen to telehealth calls directly. While this feature is highly requested, it requires a strong audio processing foundation to be effective. Building that foundation first ensures that when we introduce more advanced features, they'll be stable, scalable, and valuable over the long term.
Financial Viability and Scalability
Profitability and Reinvestment
SOAP Note AI is fully profitable, and profits are invested back to fuel growth. Being bootstrapped gives me the flexibility to scale sustainably, focusing on features and improvements that matter most to users without compromising on quality or speed.
Acquisition Offers and Future Plans
This year, SOAP Note AI has caught the attention of larger players in healthcare tech. I've received three acquisition inquiries, with the most recent involving two months of serious talks with a leading healthcare technology company. Receiving these offers was incredibly humbling. Going from zero to one—starting with just an idea to being noticed by industry giants—was a surreal experience.
At the same time, I felt a bit confused about how to handle them. Navigating the complexities of acquisition discussions was new territory for me. While it was flattering to be considered, I realized that my journey with SOAP Note AI was just beginning. There was so much more I wanted to achieve.
Building for Scalability
Building a scalable foundation allows SOAP Note AI to handle future growth smoothly. Features like the AI Scribe are designed to meet current demand but also set the stage for growth without needing significant additional resources.
Expanding Geographically and Linguistically
One of the exciting aspects of SOAP Note AI is its potential to expand beyond the U.S. market. In fact, SOAP Note AI already have customers from Canada and the UK, demonstrating that the platform resonates with healthcare providers internationally. The technology can scale to different languages easily, allowing us to support providers in non-English-speaking countries in the future.
Serving Diverse Healthcare Providers and Formats
SOAP Note AI is designed to be versatile and adaptable to various types of healthcare providers and documentation formats. While I started with a focus on specific specialties, the underlying technology can be expanded to accommodate different medical fields and customized note structures. This flexibility means I can tailor the platform to meet the unique needs of a wide range of practitioners.
Introducing Complementary Features
Beyond documentation, SOAP Note AI has the potential to offer complementary features that add significant value to healthcare providers. I am exploring functionalities like:
Audit-Checking Notes for Insurance Purposes: Helping providers ensure their documentation meets insurance requirements, reducing claim denials and speeding up reimbursements.
Generating Referral Letters: Simplifying the process of referring patients to specialists by creating comprehensive and professional referral letters.
Creating Home Exercise Plans: Assisting providers in generating personalized home exercise plans for patients, enhancing patient engagement and outcomes.
Conclusion: Reflections and Looking Ahead
Focusing on SOAP Note AI has clarified my mission: to build something that genuinely helps healthcare providers. Heartfelt messages from users remind me of the meaningful difference we're making. Looking ahead, my goal is simple - to reach more providers, continually improve the platform, and make SOAP Note AI an essential tool in their workflow. The challenges ahead inspire me, and I'm excited for the journey.
Thanks for following along. I’ll keep sharing updates as SOAP Note AI grows.
Love reading this story. So happy to hear that you who found a fit with one of your bets 😄