The Story of Building Moj Coach

In 2021, I embarked on a journey to build Moj Coach, an app that started as a simple reservation system for gyms. My name is Daniel Dopiriak, and I’m the founder and developer behind this app. Over the past three years, I’ve worked tirelessly to turn my vision into reality. It hasn’t been an easy ride, but with determination, I’ve steadily improved the app and made some critical decisions along the way that have shaped its current form.

Initially, Moj Coach was designed to simplify the booking process for gyms, allowing clients to reserve spots for group sessions with ease. Over time, we added more functionality, including digital memberships and subscriptions, specifically designed for gym owners and personal trainers. These digital subscriptions make it easy to manage members and keep track of workout attendance. For instance, when a client signs up for a workout, their entry is automatically deducted.

To improve the user experience, I also incorporated push notifications for real-time updates about canceled workouts or schedule changes, and a chat feature that allows direct communication between clients and gym staff. On top of that, the app boasts a modern, easy-to-use interface that appeals to both gym-goers and trainers.

About two years into the development, we expanded MojCoach to include a learning library. This resource offers users valuable workout tips and training techniques, which they can access anytime to enhance their fitness journey.

Looking back, if I were to start again, I might have chosen to create a service-based agency first, which would have been easier to launch. But since I’ve poured so much into the app over the past three years, I’m committed to seeing it through. I’ve learned many lessons along the way, the most important being the need for market research and user feedback before diving headfirst into development.

At times, the app became cluttered with too many features, and I had to scale back to focus on what really matters. That’s a process I’m still refining.

One of the most significant changes in my business model came when I shifted focus to offering white label solutions for influencers. Initially, my vision was to create a marketplace where trainers, influencers, and personal trainers could connect with clients and offer online or offline training sessions. However, I quickly realized that it was far easier to sell influencers their own branded app than to convince them to use a marketplace.

The white label solution has proven to be more profitable, though I still believe the marketplace will succeed in the long term. To ensure both can coexist, I’ve structured contracts so that those using the white label app will also be part of the marketplace.

Currently, I charge €49 per month for individuals using the reservation system, or €490 per year for an annual plan. For clients who want access to premium features like workout videos and the learning library, custom pricing is available.

I’ve also formed partnerships with some of the top fitness influencers in Slovakia, and I’m close to signing a promising contract with one who has nearly 200,000 followers. This partnership could potentially free me up to expand the business and hire more staff, allowing me to step away from development and focus more on managerial duties.

Building the MojCoach app has not been without its challenges. Early on, I chose JavaScript for the admin panel, which led to some issues down the line. I’ve since gained a lot of programming experience, and looking back, I realize I should have used TypeScript instead.

Another mistake was using Ionic for the mobile app. Ionic allows you to create mobile apps that function like websites, but it lacks support for native libraries and doesn’t perform as well as other frameworks. I’ve since transitioned to React Native, which has vastly improved the app’s performance.

One of the most frustrating challenges was dealing with Firebase caching, or rather, the lack of it. Firebase’s web platform didn’t cache data efficiently, which slowed down the app. After making these necessary adjustments, MojCoach is now on the right path, and I’m confident in its future.

If I could offer one piece of advice to others looking to develop their own apps or businesses, it would be this: don’t give up. Even if things don’t go as planned, you can always pivot and adapt. For example, if you’re working on a reservation system and it doesn’t work out, you can shift focus to training videos or something else within your niche. The key is to stay flexible and not abandon your core vision.

I also encourage fellow entrepreneurs to manifest their success. I truly believe that if you stay focused, you can achieve your goals, even if it takes time. Success might not come overnight, but with persistence, it will happen.