By: Joshua Finley
According to research by BuildFire, one of the world’s well-known app developers for iOS and Android, there are more than 6.3 billion smartphone users worldwide. What’s more, it’s anticipated that the number will continue to grow steadily to reach about 7.6 billion by 2027.
According to Statista, there were 257 billion downloads of apps on the Apple Store and Google Play, and this number is expected to continue to grow as the number of smartphone users globally continues to increase. First-time app developers are faced with a tremendously competitive market, and for those who have an innovative app idea, but lack technology-focused skillsets, launching a successful app can be a daunting task.
For California-based Bita Safari, CEO of GiGO Clean Technology, limited technical, coding or design skill set was not an insurmountable obstacle to launching a revolutionary app offering on-demand cleaning services. The app, which is available on an easy-to-use technology platform connects customers to home and business cleaning services directly.
According to Bita, the idea seemed simple and revolutionary but dealing with the complexities to make it a success relied heavily on her extensive experience as a successful CEO with a history in the service industry. Brita’s experience as a skilled operations management strategist, sales leader, team-building expert and advisor were all essential in making the GiGO app a success.
Says Bita, “My 22 years of experience as a business development professional was invaluable. Like most people, I felt a bit out of my depth with the programming and technical aspects of app development, but there are several foundational business approaches that I employed to make my concept a reality.
Business Planning 101
According to Bita, it’s easy to get caught up in the tech hype. “You see people on their phones every day and everywhere – and most of them are using an app. They could be using WhatsApp, comparing prices for imported tea, or purchasing a ticket to a heavyweight boxing match – but each one uses the technology to simplify life and get answers faster. It’s only natural that anyone with an entrepreneurial mindset would be attracted to apps, but taking the idea from concept to launch is a challenge for those who are not immersed in technology.
For Bita, coping with complexity meant going back to the foundational skills that she developed during her career. She has harnessed her experience to provide a framework that will allow entrepreneurs to cope with the complexity of tech rollouts. It’s a deceptively simple framework – but according to Bita, without a focus on foundational issues, any tech rollout is going to be problematic.
Bita emphasizes that the key to successful market entry is knowing the industry and identifying what provides the product with a unique selling proposition. According to Brita, it’s a mistake to become overly impressed by an idea or technology before a competitive analysis has been done. As she says, “I started an entrepreneurial venture in the cleaning services field prior to launching the app, and that involved a lot of research into equipment, organizational structure, competitive analysis, and identifying the right people for the job. I had to pay very careful attention to the details.”
For Bita, the experience was eye-opening, as she says, “There’s a lot of difference between plugging in a home vacuum cleaner and doing a deep clean at a hospital – the point is that entrepreneurs in the app space need to do their research carefully before committing to the project.”
Time is of the Essence
For Bita, one of the key focus areas for any non-tech individual managing the development of a groundbreaking app is the creation of a solid infrastructure and a structured plan. “One of the main challenges of any tech-focused rollout is sticking to timeframes. Entrepreneurs need to set development milestones and ensure that the development team sticks to those.”
According to Bita, this requires a commitment to a set strategy. As she puts it, “You cannot expect your team of developers to create something that reflects your vision and provides the consumer with business value if they are not aware of the strategy and the path to maturity.”
Bita compares developers to architects, ‘You can’t just arrive at an architect’s office and tell them that you’d like a house. They’re professionals, and they need a plan and a timetable. Entrepreneurs need to stick to that plan and manage developers – while at the same time educating themselves in the unique app development environment. You can’t manage what you can’t measure – and you can’t measure progress if you don’t know what you’re looking at.”
Brita emphasizes the concept of time management repeatedly, saying that if entrepreneurs don’t manage timeframes, they’ll run out of time—and inadequate time management has financial consequences.
As Bita says, “If you miss milestones, the effect is cumulative and pushes your launch date further. The longer that launch date is delayed, the higher the costs the entrepreneur will incur. Delay for long enough, and you’ll spend your lunch money to bring your product to market.”
Bita draws inspiration from boxing, a sport she admires for its physical demands and its mental challenges, which she likens to her experience of early-stage venture launch, “Boxing reminds me of the challenges I’ve faced in my life and my career, and as an entrepreneur,” she says. “Athletes train intensely, knowing the ring brings inevitable hits, yet they step forward, ready to rise quickly if they fall. That’s true resilience, and it mirrors the startup journey, where preparation, grit, and the courage to stand up after setbacks are essential to success.”
To learn more about Bita’s professional qualifications, her successes and the entrepreneurial journey she is on, visit her LinkedIn site or her website.
Published by: Martin De Juan
