So, it happened…

Someone copied Alohi—my first app ever.

I tried not to give a shit initially. But it got under my skin, and I feel jealous now.

Like, they don’t deserve that “success.”

Here’s what happened 👇

A few weeks ago, I noticed someone building a tool that looked a LOT like my app.

Ok, no problem.

Then I realized he’d been silently following me and, apparently, saving my “building in public” tweets. (Which explains those random bookmarks).

I get it, we all borrow ideas. The problem is he didn’t lift just the idea but also the approach, the way I set up things.

Not cool.

My gut screamed to call him out.

Instead, I blocked him and focused on Alohi. My app generates better tweets than the competition, and I have a solid plan for the future.

But honestly, I was not prepared for what was next…

He launched his tool, and it blew up on 𝕏.

Do you get the frustration?

It’s tough to admit what I’m about to say, but…

It feels so damn unfair seeing people praise him like he’s a genius when many of them know me and my app!

(It’s so similar that some friends even shared his tweets with me, thinking of Alohi. Seriously, WTF?!)

Am I overreacting? Maybe.

Is some of this my fault? Yeah, probably.

I’ve been slow to ship, hesitant to market openly because of copycats (ironic, right?), and have yet to focus on digging that protective moats everyone talks about.

But feelings are real.

And it makes me question this whole “build in public” thing. What’s the point if it makes you a target?

Don’t get me wrong, I know I’m not the first person to deal with copycats, and I won’t be the last.

That doesn’t make it hurt any less when you’ve poured your heart into something.

It’s my work, my effort on the line.

(I’ve got more colorful words for this situation, but you get the picture.)

So, yeah, maybe this is just me venting, getting this off my chest.

I’ll get over this.

After all, what they can’t copy is my vision behind this startup.

I’m here for the long game.

And trust me, I’ve got plans—big ones.

(Still, it sucks.)

Your Italian indie maker ❤