SleekFlow
About the Company
SleekFlow is a social commerce platform that consolidates messaging from channels like WhatsApp, Facebook, SMS, and website live chats into one interface. The platform uses smart routing and targeted campaigns to support customer communication, sales, and marketing. Integrated with over 2,500 tools, including Shopify, SleekFlow enables businesses to create seamless, automated customer journeys, positioning itself as a comprehensive solution for customer engagement.
Initially, SleekFlow served startups and medium-to-large companies in Hong Kong and the surrounding regions, including notable clients like Lalamove and Chow Tai Fook. It’s recommended for tertiary industries where customer-staff communication is frequent, as it centralizes all messaging and enhances transparency within organizations. With the increasing trend of mobile-first interactions, SleekFlow aims to capitalize on the growth of social commerce and omnichannel communication.
Idea Behind Company
Tsai’s entrepreneurial ambitions began in college, where he joined a startup competition, fueling his desire to launch a business. His initial ventures, including a takeaway app and a hotel communication app, did not succeed. However, through these attempts, he discovered the potential of a messaging-focused platform tailored to the eCommerce sector. Tsai’s experiences and setbacks refined his approach, leading him to create SleekFlow as a platform optimized for social commerce, where it found its niche in integrating multi-channel communication for customer-facing industries.
Feedback from his target audience highlighted the need for an all-in-one messaging tool, prompting Tsai to pivot his business model. He recognized the importance of flexibility and the value of iterating based on user input, which shaped SleekFlow’s customer-centered focus and product design. This pivot was pivotal in defining the platform’s direction and market fit.
Creating the Company
In designing and building SleekFlow, Tsai initially targeted hotel groups for a concierge messaging solution. After realizing limited demand from hotels, he adapted his approach toward the eCommerce sector, where interest was much higher. He and his team of two developers reached out directly to potential clients, gathering feedback that informed their first prototype. The team created the initial version of SleekFlow using Flutter, which they tested with early clients, who provided insights to refine the product further.
The startup initially operated with limited resources, relying on customer feedback to guide product improvements. By maintaining a flexible and responsive development approach, the team could prioritize critical features. Today, they use a customer feedback log where clients can request and vote on features, helping the team maintain SleekFlow’s customer-focused ethos.
Launching the Business
SleekFlow launched through Cyberport, a Hong Kong-based incubator that provided funding, office discounts, and networking support. Tsai expanded his team to include a marketing professional, and they tackled all tasks, from SEO planning to product design, as a small, agile unit. They began with 150 keywords, focusing on less competitive Chinese terms and general social commerce topics to drive initial traffic.
The team tailored SleekFlow’s development to the social messaging channels popular in Asia, such as WhatsApp and WeChat. In early marketing, they leveraged a government grant promoting digital transformation to SMEs, which helped them acquire their first users. They also established a customer success team to improve onboarding, essential for SleekFlow’s higher-touch software.
Earnings
Currently, SleekFlow serves over 5,000 users across 20+ countries and has achieved a seven-figure annual recurring revenue. They continue to prioritize customer satisfaction and scalability, with plans to expand to new markets in Southeast Asia and potentially Europe. A recent office in Singapore and a local country manager reflect the company’s growth strategy in the region.
Tsai emphasizes continuous learning and market awareness. His focus on customer feedback and market adaptation, combined with strategic use of incubation programs, has helped SleekFlow achieve steady growth. By maintaining a customer-first approach, the company is positioned for continued success in the evolving social commerce industry.
