Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Olsen

Hi Michael, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.

I’m a tech entrepreneur, co-founder, CTO and CEO of email client Mailbird. I have a background in computer science and started working as a software engineer early in my career. Over time, my path has evolved into something much broader, but my love for tech has always been at the core.

Around twelve years ago, I teamed up with my business partner, Michael Bodekaer, to launch Mailbird. Our goal was to create a modern email client for Windows users to fill a gap in the market where alternatives like Outlook weren’t cutting it. While Mac users had Sparrow, Windows lacked a similar option. So we set out to develop a clean, easy-to-use platform that would help users manage multiple inboxes and alleviate the email anxiety we all experience.

Since then, Mailbird has grown into a multi-million dollar business – without significant outside investment. Also, it’s expanded beyond email management and allows our users to integrate their favorite apps, from social media to tools like Google Calendar and Asana.

We fine-tuned the features, design, and overall Mailbird experience – and continue to do that. I’m meticulous, which can be challenging at times, but in this case, it’s paid off.

The thing that excites me the most these days is the upcoming release of Mailbird for Mac this October. Apple fans will finally be able to experience some of the features our Windows users have come to love: unified inbox, email tracking, customizable signatures, and more. Mailbird for Mac is an app that our Apple community has been requesting for years, and we’re stoked to be able to launch it soon.

We’ve already got over 15,000 people on the waitlist. It’s things like this that continue to motivate me and my team.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

Building an app, especially one like Mailbird, has definitely not been easy. It’s challenging to create a product that simplifies something as complex as email management. We wanted to prioritize clutter-free design without sacrificing functionality and also, include some integrations with popular tools.

Every new feature and improvement entails careful thought and extensive testing. What’s more, sometimes we have to revisit decisions we thought were final and continue to iterate on certain updates.

On top of that, building a remote team added another layer of difficulty. Mailbird is a fully remote company – and it’s been remote from day one. We launched in 2012, long before remote work was widely accepted or even considered feasible by most companies.

At the time, managing a distributed team came with a lot of uncertainty. There weren’t the same tools, systems, or support structures for remote work that you see today. We had to figure out how to communicate, keep our team engaged and productive, and build a sense of unity – all without being in the same physical space.

Today, with remote work becoming more of a norm, we feel like we were ahead of the curve. It took trial and error. Keeping the team connected and aligned while scattered across different time zones wasn’t easy. However, seeing how far we’ve come as a fully remote company, I’d say it was worth every challenge.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?

Mailbird is one of the world’s most popular email clients. The email management has over four million downloads to date. It lets you bring all your email accounts into one platform so you can easily manage multiple inboxes from a single interface. Whether you want to keep your personal and work emails separate or manage them together, Mailbird helps you always stay on top of your messages.

Once we built the email client, we wanted to go beyond email management and help our community feel less overwhelmed by all the apps. So Mailbird integrates with social media, productivity, and team collaboration tools like Facebook, Asana, ChatGPT, Google Calendar, WhatsApp, Slack, and Google Chat. Our users can bring all these apps in Mailbird and manage them from their account.

Last October, we rolled out a major update for Mailbird for Windows, and we’ve got even more features in the pipeline – some inspired by suggestions from our customers:

– AI replies: This feature is pretty exciting. Using Mailbird’s AI tool, the system can suggest a response based on your previous replies. When combined with features like the Unified Inbox and Email Templates, AI replies can save time and improve email management flow.

– Inbox categories: Based on surveys and non-personal data, many users expressed a preference for inbox categories, similar to Gmail’s. We’re planning to bring this functionality to Mailbird for Windows and automatically sort your emails into categories like ‘Primary’ and ‘Promotions.’ While you can already achieve something similar using filters and rules, this new feature will make it even easier.

– Advanced Email Signatures: Mailbird already supports email signatures, but we’re working on an enhanced version that will be a significant upgrade.

But the project we’re most excited about is the upcoming launch of Mailbird for Mac this October. Our team has been working hard to make it happen, so we can’t wait for the launch!

Can you share something surprising about yourself?

I guess it would be surprising to some just how much I enjoy playing badminton. I’ve been playing it regularly for 20 years and I also enjoy soccer, inline skating, and tennis. During the pandemic, I also learned to use an electric skateboard and ride an electric unicycle.

Being a software engineer and a CEO and CTO of a tech company, you can end up spending many hours in front of the computer. I’m guilty of that, but I also love getting out there and moving. It gives me energy and helps me stay positive, and that reflects in how I approach my work.

Pricing:

• Mailbird offers a free plan
• Standard Pay Once plans: $49.50
• Premium Pay Once: $99.75

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.getmailbird.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mailbirdemail/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getmailbird
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/mailbird
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6zF5ogt05lRaD67qqVBnSA

Image Credits

Photos courtesy of https://www.getmailbird.com/