We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nyleena Aiken. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nyleena below.

Hi Nyleena , thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

How the idea came together

My sister and I came up with the idea during a moment when sharing what we were reading and watching felt way harder than it needed to be. A simple family book‑club conversation turned into a whole production — too many texts, too many scattered thoughts, and no real place to put anything. It made me realize how messy it is for people to talk about the things they love in a way that feels natural.

What made it stick

We kept seeing the same problem everywhere: people want to share their reactions, their opinions, and their little obsessions, but the platforms we have either make it performative or make it complicated. That gap kept bothering us.

When it became a real idea

I finally sat down, opened a blank PowerPoint deck, and started outlining what a space would look like if it were actually built for honest, casual sharing. Not curated. Not aesthetic. Just real. That outline became the foundation for the business.

Nyleena , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

🌟 About me

I’m the founder of Phictly — a discovery app built for people who love talking about the books, shows, movies, and stories that shape their lives. I’ve always been obsessed with how people share what they’re into, and how connection happens when someone says, “Wait, you love that too?”

📚 How I got here

I fell into this work by following my curiosity. Every job I’ve had — from strategy to creative to community building — kept pointing me toward the same truth: people want real conversation, not curated performance. And nowhere online made that easy.

💡 What Phictly does

Phictly gives people a simple, fun place to drop their thoughts, discover new favorites, and actually talk about the things they’re consuming. No pressure, no aesthetics, no algorithms trying to turn you into an influencer — just honest reactions and real connection.

🔧 What makes us different

We’re not trying to be another social feed. We’re building a conversation space. A place where your interests lead you to people, not noise. A place where community forms naturally because everyone’s there for the same reason: they love stories.

🎉 What I’m proud of

I’m proud that Phictly feels human. I’m proud that people use it and say, “Finally, a place for this.” And I’m proud that we’re building something that makes connection feel easy again.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Our audience didn’t grow because I had a perfect strategy. It grew because I followed the path of least resistance — the places where showing up felt natural.

For Phictly, the first real spark came from stumbling across a BookToker who genuinely loved what we were building. We weren’t loud, we weren’t polished, and we definitely weren’t trying to “go viral.” We were just two introverts who cared about stories and connection. That partnership opened the door to a whole community of readers who were excited about the idea long before we ever had a big audience.

From there, it was slow, steady, human growth. People shared us because they felt seen. They shared with friends. They talked about the app the same way they talk about a book they can’t put down. That kind of growth sticks.

And now, I’m finally showing up more on LinkedIn — talking about building, community, and the messy middle of being a founder — and it’s been surprisingly energizing. Turns out people connect with honesty more than perfection.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

💬 How I stay in touch

We use email for the bigger updates — new features, what we’re working on, and anything that needs a little context. Social is where I drop the quick stuff: small wins, sneak peeks, and the everyday moments of building Phictly. It keeps things light and lets people follow along without feeling spammed.

🔁 How that builds loyalty

• People get consistent, honest updates.
• They see the process, not just the polished parts.
• They feel included instead of marketed to.

Partnering with a BookToker helped us reach the right people early on, and being more active on LinkedIn has opened up a whole new lane of connection. Both feel natural and sustainable, which is why they work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://phictly.com
• Instagram: Phictlyapp
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nyleena-a-aiken-8b562195?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app