Creating Digital Legacies: Interview with DGLegacy Co-Founder Ana Mineva

Ana Mineva DG Legacy

No one wants to think about how or when they’re going to die—but according to Ana Mineva, we should think about what happens afterward.

Will your assets end up in the wrong hands? What benefits will your children have, if any? Will they have access to them? This is the kind of stuff that can keep you up at night.

And 15 years ago, Ana had these worries too. She asked friends in Silicon Valley if they knew of any digital password managers or online vaults that could keep track of her assets and designate them to family members after her death but came up empty.

So she decided to take matters into her own hands. Ana developed a service that revolutionizes the way people protect their digital inheritance, called DGLegacy, which already has 5,000 subscribers and is growing at a rapid clip.

Allow me to introduce Co-Founder, Ana Mineva…

So, who are you and what’s your business?

I am Ana Mineva, the co-founder of DGLegacy®, a global digital inheritance and asset protection service. We are solving the multi-billion-dollar global problem of abandoned assets, which are assets that stay in insurance companies, banks, cryptocurrency wallets, and asset management companies after their owners pass away instead of reaching the rightful beneficiaries.

Just two years after the launch, we already have 5,000 subscribers, and we are growing rapidly. Our flagship product is the digital inheritance service, which connects your beneficiaries with your assets in the event of your demise.

We provide a helping hand to families in these difficult circumstances and are committed to preserving their quality of life.

DG Legacy App

What is your backstory and what inspired you to come up with / pursue this idea?

My backstory began 15 years ago. I was an entrepreneur with a dynamic lifestyle and dynamic assets, as well as a mother of two. At that time, I was troubled by the thought of what would happen if something unforeseen happened to me and my partner and someone had to take care of our children.

  • Would our loved ones know what assets we owned, where to find them, and how to claim them?
  • Would our kids continue to have the same standard of living, quality of education, etc.?

This inspired me to come up with a solution for digital legacy planning. I wanted something that would not only keep track of my assets but would also proactively inform my loved ones if I passed away.

My co-founder and I created the solution we were longing for: the ability to help people protect their passwords and their digital and financial assets and provide their loved ones with financial security. Our dream is to build a platform that offers a wide range of additional services so our users can successfully protect any digital asset globally.

Take us through the process of designing, prototyping, and manufacturing your first product or service- what was that like?

We knew what we were getting into and that launching our first product, the MVP (minimum viable product), was just the beginning of a long journey for us. It meant we would have to keep learning, adapting, and improving our product and business model. But before we could even think about launching, we had to go through several crucial steps:

First, we identified the problem and came up with an idea for a product that would solve it.

Then, we defined our target audience.

After that, we built our MVP so we could test and refine it based on user reviews and customer feedback until we were ready to launch.

We also developed a go-to-market strategy, which included identifying our marketing channels, pricing strategy, and sales tactics.

Finally, we launched DGLegacy, introducing it to the world via a press release, which we consider the official launch of the service.

At DGLegacy, we believe that success isn’t just about having a great launch. It’s about taking small steps toward your end goal, especially after you launch. We truly believe in the Lean philosophy, which means short feedback loops, ideally zero waste (such as waiting time or excessive batches of work in progress), and a quick response to changes.

The DGLegacy founding team has developed our product, design, and engineering processes based on these principles. Today, all team members from various functions work closely together with the common goal of delivering high customer value.

Also, each one of us in the company is aware that people depend on us to protect their digital and financial assets – their legacy – and rely on DGLegacy for peace of mind for them and their loved ones when it matters the most. The DGLegacy team has an extremely high sense of mission and responsibility toward our members.

At DGLegacy, we really value hearing from our customers. We seek out their feedback regularly and use what we learn to make our product even better. We’re always looking for ways to improve, and we believe that listening to our customers is the key to success.

DGLegacy Logo

Describe launching the company… Where did you start?

We launched the company in 2020, but the idea behind DGLegacy, a digital inheritance app that solves the multi-billion-dollar global problem of unclaimed assets, dates back more than 15 years to when we were concerned about our children’s future. I used to wish we had a tool where I could see a snapshot of my assets and could decide what parts to share, with whom, and when.

I dreamed of this tool and searched for a solution for a long time, even asking friends in Silicon Valley if they knew of an existing solution, but I couldn’t find one. Most of the online vaults or password managers didn’t have any digital inheritance capability, so we decided to build a solution that would enable people to securely catalog their digital and financial assets and passwords and designate their family members as beneficiaries.

We started with a team of five people and focused on developing a global digital inheritance service that would help people protect and transfer their digital and financial assets and online credentials to their chosen beneficiaries in the event of their passing away. We developed a secure and user-friendly app that allows users to catalog and share important information and documents, including wills, passwords, and instructions for their digital assets.

Since then, DGLegacy has gained recognition for its innovative approach to digital inheritance and legacy management and has been featured in various media outlets. The company serves customers worldwide and continues to expand its services and partnerships to meet the growing demand for digital legacy management solutions.

What has worked to attract & retain customers so far?

To attract and retain customers, we at DGLegacy have used and still use a range of strategies.

One of our main approaches has been marketing. We have promoted our service through various marketing channels, including social media, paid advertising, and PR. This has helped us attract new users to the app.

Another key strategy is providing a unique experience to our customers. By tailoring the app to their specific needs and incorporating market trends, the DGLegacy team has been able to retain customers and improve their loyalty. We have also introduced in-app features that encourage existing customers to invite their loved ones, family, and friends to use our digital inheritance app. This has helped increase customer acquisition.

We also place great importance on providing excellent customer support through various channels. This helps retain our customers and improve their overall satisfaction. In addition, we continuously improve the app based on user feedback, which helps retain our customers and attract new ones who value a service that listens to their needs and adapts accordingly.

Overall, DGLegacy’s approach to attracting and retaining customers is multifaceted, and we understand that a successful business is a marathon that requires patience, persistence, and continuous improvement. We regularly evaluate which channels work best for us and adjust our acquisition strategy accordingly. By prioritizing customers’ satisfaction and adapting to our users’ needs, DGLegacy has built a loyal customer base that trusts and values our service.

Ana Mineva DGLegacy App

What books, podcasts, or people have been the most influential on your journey?

As a co-founder of DGLegacy, I am often asked about the books, podcasts, or people who have influenced my journey.

As an entrepreneur, I find inspiration in non-standard solutions and creative ideas. While I do read books for inspiration, my main inspiration and support come from my partner, Peter, and my two children, who have been there for me throughout the journey of creating DGLegacy.

Peter is a great source of inspiration, both personally and professionally. He authored the book Building Tech: Building and scaling successful tech organizations: from inception to a unicorn, which has been a valuable resource for me. It synthesizes expertise from an experienced leader and is structured and delivered pragmatically, with concrete examples from his practice. I highly recommend spending time reading it and thinking about how you can apply the learnings in your context.

From a product development perspective, the book that brought me the most value was Product-Led Onboarding by Ramli John and Wes Bush. This book is a valuable guide for any entrepreneur who wants to learn how to turn new users into lifelong customers. It is an inspiring and insightful read that has helped me in my entrepreneurial journey.

In terms of personal growth, a book that broadened my horizons was Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz. It’s a business classic on the power of relationships, with helpful advice for networking in the digital world. I found it to be a great resource for making meaningful connections that have been instrumental in my journey.

Lastly, I recently discovered two unique books for improving general knowledge: Prisoners of Geography and The Power of Geography by Tim Marshall. I am into them right now, and every line is worth reading.

How are things going today and what does the future look like?

At DGLegacy, we have ambitious plans for product development as we open up a new global market for digital inheritance and digital legacy. The opportunities for growth are vast, and in the upcoming year, our focus will be on expanding our customer base and building out our core product offering. We are thrilled to announce the launch of our mobile app on both the Apple Store and Google Play, following the successful release of Family account features as part of our DGLegacy® Platinum plan.

As part of our long-term strategy to become the leading provider of digital inheritance and legacy solutions worldwide, we are also considering additional features. Our ultimate goal is to transform the way individuals and families manage their digital legacies and to provide peace of mind for our users, their families, and their loved ones.

We believe in creating a comprehensive suite of secure, efficient, and accessible tools and services to help our customers manage and protect their digital and financial assets, ensuring they are passed on to the right people. With our unwavering commitment to innovation and user satisfaction, we are confident that we can revolutionize the digital inheritance and legacy industry.

Any advice for others who are just starting out?

As a female tech entrepreneur, my advice for others who are just starting out is to believe in yourself and your abilities. You are capable of achieving great things if you are willing to work hard and persevere through the inevitable challenges that come with building a business.

Surround yourself with a strong support network, whether that be mentors, advisors, or a community of entrepreneurs who can offer guidance and support along the way.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help or seek out resources that can help you grow and develop as a founder.

Stay focused on your vision and your customers’ needs. As you develop your product or service, make sure you are solving a real problem for your target audience and that you are continuously iterating and improving based on their feedback.

Finally, remember that failure is a part of the entrepreneurial journey. Don’t let setbacks or failures discourage you but rather use them as learning opportunities to grow and improve.

With determination, persistence, and a willingness to learn, you can achieve great things as an entrepreneur.

What’s the best way for people to connect and follow you? Website, Social Profiles, Etc…

You can follow the news on our site www.DGLegacy.com.

You can also get the latest news and updates related to protecting your digital and financial assets on our Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook pages.

My mother in law loves to sew.

A few years ago she asked me how to set up an online store.

She wanted to sell fancy throw pillows she was making.

I gave her very basic steps. Enough to get started (I don't know much about ecom).

A few weeks later she showed me her site. It

Everyone wants “yes.”

But they don’t wanna pay the price.

100 Nos is the price of one yes.

You can get as many as yeses as you damn well please as long as you’re willing to pay the price.

I was sad to learn that Charlie Munger died today at age 99.

What a life.

He would likely roll his eyes and argue that none of us should be too surprised, based on the actuarial tables, but we’ve lost one of the 20th century’s greatest investors and businessmen.

Chris and I

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