tech
February 21, 2026
How this 29-year-old made landline phones cool again—and brought in $789K last year selling them
People are nostalgic for a simpler time without smartphones, social media and AI. Cat Goetze is dialed in.
TL;DR
- Cat Goetze's business, Physical Phones, sells Bluetooth-enabled landline-style phones.
- The company reported over $789,000 in sales in 2025.
- The phones connect to smartphones via Bluetooth, allowing users to make and receive calls using the handset.
- The idea stemmed from Goetze's desire to reduce her own screentime and a nostalgic memory of childhood landlines.
- A viral TikTok video in July 2025 propelled the business, leading to over $120,000 in sales in the first three days.
- Physical Phones offers three styles: handset, wall mount, and rotary, priced between $90 and $110.
- Challenges included tariffs on imported parts and the logistical complexities of hardware manufacturing and shipping.
- Goetze reinvests profits into the business for R&D and hiring, not taking a salary herself.
- The company is exploring retail expansion and different sales models for 2026.
- Goetze is also launching Cat Labs, a product studio for creators.
Continue reading the original article