This hack may work

I want to be transparent about my strategy because I don't see many people talking about this approach directly.

I build clones. Not copies in the copyright-infringing sense. I take web apps that are clearly working (validated by revenue, user reviews, active communities) and build my own version with a different focus and better UI.

The thesis is simple: product-market fit is the hardest thing to validate. If something already has paying users, the market is real. My job is execution and differentiation, not guessing whether the problem is worth solving.

How I actually do it:

1. Find a web app with obvious traction but clear gaps (missing features users keep requesting but insufficient monetisation)

2. Extract the core design and UX patterns. I use Step1 dev to copy the UI, it pulls the full design structure and exports to React + Tailwind. Lets me get a working visual baseline fast without spending weeks on layout decisions.

3. Build the differentiated version

4. Launch to the underserved segment with messaging that addresses what the original got wrong

Current portfolio has three products. Two are cash-flowing, one is in early traction. Aggregate MRR is about $20k and growing.

This isn't cool and some people will tell you it's not "real" building. But here's my two cents: shipping and iterating on something with a real market beats building something original that nobody wants.

AMA if you have questions about the approach.