Social Recommendations App for Local Businesses

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Social Recommendations App for Local Businesses

Inspired by a conversation on:

Entrepreneurs on Fire

Entrepreneurs on Fire

Sircles – The Social Recommendations App Designed to take out Yelp with John Worthington: An EOFire Classic from 2022

Host: John Lee Dumas

Timestamp: 00:02:55 - 00:05:10

Listen to Episode • View Podcast • All Ideas from Entrepreneurs on Fire

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Feather Flow

Direct Quote

"Why is there not a place where I can get recommendations from people I know?"

Market Gap

Users struggle to find trustworthy local recommendations.

Consumers often turn to platforms like Yelp for local business recommendations, but they face challenges such as unreliable reviews, negativity, and an overwhelming amount of information. This can lead to confusion and dissatisfaction when choosing where to eat or shop. Many people prefer to receive recommendations from friends or acquaintances whom they trust. However, existing platforms do not cater specifically to this need, resulting in a gap in the market for a recommendation system that prioritizes trust and personal relationships. Without a reliable source for recommendations, users may miss out on great local businesses.

Summary

The Circles app addresses the need for trustworthy local business recommendations by allowing users to receive suggestions strictly from their social circles. By focusing on positive feedback and avoiding negativity, users can favorite places they enjoy, which then broadcasts their preferences to friends. This unique approach eliminates the need for traditional reviews, creating a more authentic and trustworthy environment for discovering local businesses. The app aims to empower users to connect with their community while helping businesses gain visibility through positive recommendations.

Categorization

Business Model
Marketplace
Target Founder
Technical
Difficulty
High
Time to Revenue
6-12 months
Initial Investment
> $10,000

Potential MRR (18-24 months)

Conservative
$5,000 - $15,000 MRR
Moderate (Most Likely)
$20,000 - $40,000 MRR
Optimistic
$50,000 - $100,000 MRR

* Estimates assume solo founder/bootstrap scenario with competent execution

Scores

Clarity
8/10
Novelty
7/10
Feasibility
6/10
Market Potential
8/10
Evidence
7/10
Overall
7/10
Found on September 14, 2025 • Analyzed on September 14, 2025 10:28 AM

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Similar Ideas

Gamified Local Business Engagement Platform

Circles employs gamification strategies to enhance user engagement by allowing users to level up and earn rewards for their interactions within the app. By implementing a tiered system, users start as 'circle members' and can progress to higher levels, earning points and rewards along the way. This not only keeps users motivated to engage with the app but also fosters loyalty towards the local businesses featured in the app. Local businesses can offer rewards that encourage users to visit, creating a mutually beneficial relationship between users and businesses. This gamified approach addresses the common issue of user disengagement, providing a fun and interactive experience.