We built an app as a side hustle and sold it for $4 million without quitting our tech jobs. Here's how AI helped us juggle it all.

In a remarkable journey, two software engineers turned a simple idea into a thriving business worth $4 million, all while juggling their full-time jobs. David Emelianov and Jordan Gaston, who reconnected years after elementary school, discovered a common goal during the pandemic: to create an app that would help users manage their email inboxes more effectively. The duo began their venture in 2020, inspired by Gaston’s mother’s frustration with her overflowing inbox. They initially envisioned a modest Chrome extension that would allow users to easily unsubscribe from unwanted emails. After months of development and initial traction on social media platforms like Reddit, they realized they had the potential to build a legitimate business. Despite the growing success of their app, named Trimbox, both Emelianov and Gaston maintained their day jobs—Emelianov at a gaming company in the Bay Area and Gaston in a large FinTech firm. This strategic choice allowed them to avoid the pressures of investor expectations while still investing time into their side project. They dedicated weekends and evenings to the app, managing their time effectively while balancing family life and full-time careers. AI played a crucial role in their journey. They utilized AI tools for various aspects, including automating customer support, which was developed over two months. By training their AI on help center data, they were able to streamline customer interactions and only intervene when necessary, significantly reducing their workload. When it came time to sell their business, AI was again a valuable asset. They employed it to simulate market scenarios and gauge the fair value of Trimbox, which helped them navigate the selling process more efficiently, saving both time and money on legal fees. Now that the sale is complete, Emelianov and Gaston are looking forward to their next venture, aiming to leverage their experiences and AI tools to create even more innovative applications. Their story is a testament to the power of technology and strategic planning in the entrepreneurial landscape.