I Brought in $789K Last Year Selling Landline Phones

CNBC Make It
CNBC Make ItMay 9, 2026

Why It Matters

The venture proves that retro‑style hardware paired with modern connectivity can generate substantial revenue, encouraging entrepreneurs to explore underserved nostalgic niches.

Key Takeaways

  • Kat Gatsy generated $789K in 2025 from Bluetooth landlines
  • She identified nostalgia‑driven demand for analog‑style communication devices
  • Product bypasses traditional phone‑line fees, offering mobile integration
  • Leveraged Stanford STEM background and C‑suite startup exposure
  • Simple DIY prototype turned into profitable niche business model

Summary

Kat Gatsy, a 29‑year‑old Stanford graduate, launched a Bluetooth‑compatible landline phone that earned about $789,000 in 2025.

She spotted a gap between the desire for analog nostalgia and the high cost of traditional landlines, creating a device that plugs into a smartphone and eliminates the $70‑$80 monthly line fee.

Gatsy says, “If they can do it I can do it too,” reflecting her confidence after working with C‑suite executives in startups and applying her science‑technology‑society training to a DIY prototype.

The success highlights how retro‑styled hardware, when paired with modern connectivity, can become a profitable niche, prompting other founders to monetize nostalgia and low‑cost alternatives to legacy services.

Original Description

People are nostalgic for a simpler time without smartphones, social media and AI. Cat Goetze is dialed in.
For more on how the 29-year-old brought in $789K selling landline phones in 6 months, watch the related video.

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