At ProdigyTech, we prioritize our clients' success and sometimes offer free services when we see opportunities to enhance their existing products.

While working as a Ruby on Rails engineer on the StatusGator app, I also engaged in several side projects using Flutter. For those unfamiliar, Flutter is a powerful framework that allows you to build a mobile app once and deploy it on both iOS and Android platforms. This means you save on costs by not needing separate engineers for each platform. Changes made on one platform are reflected on the other, eliminating the need to duplicate efforts. I even built an open-source desktop client for Jellyfin called Jellybox Player using Flutter, demonstrating its versatility.

Drawing from this experience, I recognized that the features we were developing for StatusGator could also be effectively utilized via a mobile app, particularly for delivering push notifications. I took the initiative to propose this idea during one of our weekly meetings. It wasn't a detailed plan, just a simple suggestion on how our clients could benefit from a mobile app.

Due to my full-time job, I worked on this project during weekends, gradually building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Without a dedicated designer, I leveraged Flutter’s Material UI to replicate our web interface, making necessary adjustments for a mobile-friendly experience. The result was a functional MVP.

Once the MVP was ready, we distributed it via TestFlight within our team for internal testing and feedback. During this period, we also began mentioning the upcoming app in our sales calls, which generated significant interest from potential clients. The promise of a mobile app became a strong selling point, helping us secure additional deals even before the app was officially released.

What lessons did I learn from this experience? As a contractor, you are fully responsible for the impressions your client gets when working with you. One way to build long-term relationships is by offering additional value without extra cost. This approach pays off in the long run.

As a product owner, never underestimate the value of mobile apps. Regardless of the industry, everyone uses smartphones. Mobile apps often offer a quicker, more efficient way to perform tasks compared to websites, sometimes significantly boosting productivity.

For outsourcing companies, it's crucial to encourage engineers to be proactive. When engineers take initiative, everyone benefits.

In conclusion, any working business can benefit from a mobile app, and it's never too late to create one. Plus, building an MVP doesn't have to be expensive—it can cost as little as $2,000 to $3,000. With the right tools and approach, you can create something valuable without breaking the bank.