5 Success Stories of Regular People Who Built Their Own Apps

5 Success Stories of Regular People Who Built Their Own Apps
Text Size
- +

Toggle Dark Mode

The app ecosystem has continued to grow across the world, fueled by determined people with big ideas, a plethora of easily accessible online coding classes, and ultimately the desire to succeed. Here are five stories of regular people who learned how to code and built successful apps.

5. Sworkit

Sworkit is a mobile app that provides fitness plans and circuit training routines that users can do anywhere, including the office. Built by Army officer Ryan Hanna, who taught himself to code online, Sworkit simplifies the process of building a workout regimen based on your goals and fitness level. The app, which was featured on an episode of Shark Tank, has been used by millions.

4. Clipped

Tanay Tandon was a high school sophomore and competitive debater when he built Clipped. The app that uses an algorithm to cull key bits of information from articles and papers, and distills them into readable bullet points. Tandon originally came up with the idea because he needed a quicker way to research and prepare for debate competitions, and developed the algorithm over the course of the school year.

3. SimpleTax

Though Jonathan Suter followed the traditional path from school to a full time job, he always knew he wanted to build his own product. A self-described “nerd at heart”, the Vancouver native left his job in 2011 and taught himself to code online through Codeacademy. The result of his efforts is SimpleTax, a fast and easy way to file taxes for Canadians that’s earned rave reviews.

2. For Me

On the other end of the age spectrum and globe, four British teenagers have invented a mental health app that helps their peers discreetly and directly access counseling and guidance through their phones. What began as a school project has developed into a national service. The app, called ‘For Me’, was launched across the UK earlier this year by a leading children’s charity. The inventive teens plan to follow up their success by building an adult version of the app for people over the age of 19.

1. Hinadan

Meet Masako Wakamiya, a vivacious, talented, and determined Japanese woman who programmed her first iOS app at the age of 81. This consummate DIYer, who had built her first computer by the age of 60, was inspired by the shortage of mobile games suited for senior citizens and decided to take matters into her own hands. The resulting app is Hinadan, a game based on Japan’s traditional Hinamatsuri festival during which dolls representing the imperial court are dressed in traditional garb. In Hinadan, players have to dress and properly arrange dolls in preparation for Hinamatsuri. Wakamiya has given a widely viewed TED talk on life as an elderly woman in the digital age, teaches computer classes, and blogs regularly. She also says she’s bursting with ideas for new apps.

Learning to program can be a fun, stimulating, and empowering hobby, though it requires dedication and time. The upside is that you will learn to create an endless number of things on your own, and possibly make money in the process.

How Can I Learn to Code?

A 2016 survey of 50,000 developers from 178 countries found that 69 percent were at least partially self-taught, so if you have an idea for the next great app (or just want to teach yourself a new skill), check out some of the best online coding courses below to get yourself started.

iOS 10 Complete App Builder Course Bundle $59.99 Learn to Build Android Apps Course Bundle – $39 tvOS App and Game Coding Course Bundle – $29
Sponsored
Social Sharing