Global Entry Alerts
About the Company
Global Entry Alerts is designed to expedite the Global Entry interview appointment process for travelers. The service sends SMS alerts when interview slots become available, significantly reducing the typical wait time of over 365 days. Founded in March 2022 and based in New York, NY, the company operates with low startup costs and minimal ongoing expenses, making it a lean and efficient business model.
Global Entry is a U.S. government program that provides expedited clearance for pre-approved travelers. The service includes TSA PreCheck, speeding up security checks at airports. Users pay a fee, complete an online application, and attend an interview. Vlad's experience of long wait times for the interview led him to develop a solution that could benefit many others facing the same issue.
Today, Global Entry Alerts is a simple yet effective solution for travelers, offering a service that directly addresses a common pain point. The business thrives on the efficiency of software automation and the increasing demand for quicker travel clearance.
Idea Behind Company
The idea for Global Entry Alerts originated when Vlad Verba was trying to schedule his own Global Entry interview and encountered long wait times. Frustrated by the delays, he noticed others online using scripts to find available appointments. With his technical background, Vlad developed his own alert system to notify him of openings, successfully moving his appointment from October 2022 to April 2022.
Recognizing the widespread need for such a service, Vlad created a Twitter feed to share appointment availability, which quickly gained followers. This validation indicated a significant demand, prompting him to expand the service to cover major airports in the U.S. and consider monetizing the alerts.
By addressing a personal pain point and validating the demand through organic growth on Twitter, Vlad saw the potential to help many others. This insight laid the foundation for turning a simple tool into a viable business.
Creating the Company
The initial version of Global Entry Alerts was a free Twitter feed providing appointment notifications. As interest grew, Vlad saw the need for a more user-friendly and personalized solution. He developed a paid service offering SMS alerts for up to three selected locations, allowing users to receive timely notifications directly to their phones.
Building the service involved significant learning and development. Vlad utilized his knowledge of Python and PostgreSQL for backend development and sourced a modern website template to expedite the front-end setup. Integrating payment processing via Stripe and SMS functionality through Twilio completed the technical framework.
The focus on quick deployment and leveraging existing skills and tools enabled Vlad to bring the product to market efficiently. This approach minimized costs and allowed for rapid iteration based on user feedback.
Launching the Business
Vlad launched Global Entry Alerts as a side project, initially seeing moderate sales. The turning point came when a travel influencer featured the service, driving significant traffic and boosting sales. He leveraged customer testimonials to build credibility and attract more users.
Marketing efforts primarily relied on organic growth through Twitter and Reddit. The Twitter account, @AlertEntry, played a crucial role in driving traffic, while Reddit provided a platform for engaging with a critical audience and gathering feedback. Word-of-mouth and influencer endorsements further amplified the service's reach.
The key takeaway from the launch was the importance of solving a real problem with a high-quality product and leveraging organic marketing channels. This approach led to steady growth and a loyal customer base.
Earnings
Global Entry Alerts generates over $1,200 in monthly revenue with minimal ongoing effort. The business model relies on a one-time payment for SMS alerts, making it low-maintenance. Primary costs include SMS fees and web hosting, with no significant expenditure on paid advertising or influencer marketing.
The project remains a side endeavor for Vlad, who sees it as a fun and impactful initiative rather than a major enterprise. Future plans include improving SEO and exploring additional travel-related tools to provide more value to users.
Vlad's experience underscores the importance of starting with a simple, effective solution, validating it with real users, and iterating based on feedback. By focusing on a genuine pain point and leveraging organic growth strategies, he has created a sustainable and profitable business.
