“Pick a problem that you want to work on for 10 years, even if it were to fail” — Val Agostino, Monarch Money

Building a successful subscription app business requires a combination of elements, including passion, as highlighted by Val Agostino, a veteran Internet entrepreneur. On the Sub Club podcast, Val shared insights from developing two financial health apps, emphasizing the importance of choosing a business model aligned with user experience. He criticized the ad-supported model for degrading user experience, as seen with Mint, which faced a constant conflict between revenue and product teams. Val advocates for a subscription-based model focused on understanding customer needs deeply, using tools like clickable prototypes and the Jobs to Be Done framework to ensure product-market fit. He stresses the significance of addressing the emotional reasons behind user requests, exemplified by Monarch's "due dates on bills" feature, which provides peace of mind for users, particularly those with ADHD. Val's personal experiences with financial challenges drive his passion for creating a better financial health app, addressing the broader issue of financial stress in American families.