EVERYTHING

FOR YOUR FAMILY

• Babies/Maternity
• Camps
• Education
• Enrichment/Sports
• Family Services
• Healthcare
• Just For Moms
• Party Planning
• Places to Go
• Retail
• CFCOC Resources

Published: May, 2009

SHONA KILLOUGHERY • HUNTINGTON BEACH  
Mother of two children, a 5-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old son

Business: DoubleTapApps

Product or service: I design parent-related iPhone apps. DoubleTapApps provides an array of applications, from providing vital information in an emergency to naming a baby, and from speed-dial apps to child-entertainment apps.

How did you come up with the idea?
The apps I sell are my own design and creation. The inspiration behind them is my iPhone. I love my iPhone. However, I noticed that there weren’t many apps available for moms or parents, so I decided to design my own. The app I’m most proud of is called Parent ICE. It is an In case of Emergency app for parents. I also have many free apps which, in my opinion, are essential for parents: Find Parks, Kid Friendly Restaurants, Libraries and Preschools.

What did it take to get your business launched?
It took a lot of research to get started. I searched through iTunes looking for mom-related apps to see what was out there. I had to research the appropriate software to design my apps with. I had to become part of Apple’s developer network, which I found a little intimidating as I felt like an amateur compared with all the professional iPhone developers. It costs me about $4,000 to get started. This included the domain names, license fees, development of the apps and Apple’s developer fees.

Tell us about your first sale or contract.
My first app was Name That Baby! There was nothing like it on iTunes when I was designing it. It launched and became popular quickly. It was so fun to see newspapers and other media outlets pick up the press release and run with it. I checked my app sales every morning for weeks with so much excitement! It also became popular with other designers, too.Today there are several baby naming apps on iTunes, but mine is holding its place as one of the best.

What is the size of your business?
I currently have 30 iPhone apps on iTunes, one in review and three in the design phase. Six are available for free. The other 24 cost between 99 cents and $2.99.

Are you able to work around your children’s schedules?
Yes, but it’s hard work. Being a mom comes first with me. Therefore, with a 3- and a 5-year-old, there is little time for anything else. I spend most of my evenings working on designing, networking and marketing.
 
Do your children help you with your business?
Most recently, yes. I take note of what games they like and don’t like, and what features of the iPhone they like using. This has helped me design my up-and-coming preschool game. Once I have it completed, they’ll be the first to test it out and give me feedback.

Did you have any special education or training that relates to your business?
I had Web design experience but not iPhone development experience. It’s been a learning curve for me but a fun one. My marketing experience has been very useful, too.

Do you have a business role model?
Richard Branson, for his success with his “the-sky-is-the-limit” attitude.