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REWORK

·S2 E173

Soft openings aren't just for restaurants

Nov 12, 2025
14 mins

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Episode Description

This week, the team shares a behind-the-scenes look at how they bring in outside beta testers before a product launch. Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson share how they invite early users into the mix, what they’re looking for, and how it all shapes the final version. It’s a rare peek into the “guests are coming over” phase of building Fizzy.

Key Takeaways

  • 00:12 – Inside Fizzy’s early access phase
  • 02:28 – Selecting beta testers
  • 03:05 – Treating early access as a real-world dry run
  • 07:11 – Cutting the to-do list down to what truly matters
  • 09:59 – Why early access is different from beta testing

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