How we pivoted from traditional SaaS

A few months ago, we hit a major crossroads: Do we stick to the typical SaaS model, or do we go all in on something a little bolder?

As a bootstrapped founder—with no investors and no safety net—every decision counts. But the question kept lingering: How do we make our tools accessible to solo entrepreneurs and small businesses without compromising on sustainability?

Then, we came across a simple but powerful quote from Ruben Gamez:
"Think of your lifetime users like free users. If you're okay with free users, you should be okay with lifetime users."

This was a turning point for us. It made us realize that focusing on lifetime users could give us something invaluable: exposure, feedback, and a community of creators that would shape the future of Polymuse. I started to think beyond one-off sales and recurring revenue and instead focused on how to build a loyal user base that would grow with us.

I knew that in industries like e-commerce, interior design, and engineering, 3D and AR technology had a huge potential—but the financial barrier for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs was real.

That’s when the lightbulb went off: why not offer a lifetime deal?

By launching on AppSumo, we could give creators, hobbyists, and small business owners the ability to explore 3D and AR tools without the pressure of a recurring subscription. This move also allowed us to maintain our B2B focus, offering tailored subscription plans for larger businesses that need more robust tools.

But the most exciting part? The feedback. We’ve received real insights from users on how Polymuse fits into their lives, challenges, and workflows. This feedback is gold for us as we continue to evolve.

Here's what I’ve learned through this process: SaaS isn’t one-size-fits-all. Subscription fatigue is a real issue, and lifetime deals can offer a way to meet people where they are, without locking them into recurring payments.

This journey with AppSumo has been more than about revenue—it’s about discovery, connection, and validation.

If you're curious about how 3D and AR can impact your business, feel free to check out the deal here. I’d also love to hear your thoughts, especially if you’re working in e-commerce, interior design, or engineering.

In the next issue, I’ll share more behind-the-scenes insights and lessons learned from building and scaling Polymuse, along with how you can apply these lessons to your own business or projects.

Looking forward to sharing this journey with you! See you with new update and in the meantime …