Tech entrepreneur's landline-like phone makes ₹1cr in just 3 days!
What's the story
Cat Goetze, a tech entrepreneur, has turned her nostalgic vision of a landline-like phone into a successful business. The unique device, called Physical Phones, was created as a way to reduce screen time and has already raked in over ₹1 crore in sales within just three days. Goetze's journey started two years ago when she wanted to replace her smartphone with something simpler and more retro.
Creative solution
Goetze's innovative approach to creating a landline-like phone
Unable to get a traditional landline without paying for a new number, Goetze decided to hack one. "I literally just hijacked a landline phone and made it Bluetooth compatible," she told CNBC Make It. The device, called Physical Phones, connects with iPhones and Android phones via Bluetooth. It rings for calls from apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Instagram while routing audio through the handset.
Device features
Physical Phones: A solution for modern communication
The Physical Phones also lets users dial numbers or press * to activate voice assistants. Goetze launched the device online in July, expecting around 15-20 pre-orders. However, hundreds of orders came flooding in instead. "It literally felt like we had captured lightning in a bottle," she said, describing the overwhelming response to her innovative product.
Market response
Sales and production plans
Goetze's company made over ₹1 crore in sales within three days of launch, hitting ₹2.5 crore by October with over 3,000 units sold. The devices are priced between ₹8,000 and ₹9,800 each. Goetze has partnered with a manufacturer for mass production and the first batches are scheduled to ship in December. This marks a major milestone in her entrepreneurial journey and highlights the market demand for such innovative products.