What do you do when you’ve been laid off and have 7 months to figure out what you want to do with your life? Here’s an idea, find inspiration around you in the form of your family and an iPhone and build something that captures every one of life’s phases. That’s exactly what Darren Andes did, and then some.
Darren doesn’t consider himself an entrepreneur but I’d argue that what he has done has clear entrepreneurial tendencies. For example, he has created 6 products for sale on the iPhone, each one filling a void where a product was not there before. He has spent 12 months building his latest product, Total Baby, while holding down a full-time job and being a new father (he says his work day is from 9am-4am). He works diligently to satisfy every customer that contacts him and ensure they love what he is doing. Classic entrepreneur.
We connected late one night after our kids went down and what ensued was a great conversation about his experiences building his hobby bit by bit. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did.
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About Darren Andes
Darren Andes began his career in Interactive Media and Graphic Design. As the web became more prevalent he transformed his career to a Web Front-End Designer/Developer and User Experience lead. As his job of 11 years was on the verge of shutdown due to the financial crisis, he felt it prudent to learn a new skill-set.
With a love for all things Apple and the hopes that the iPhone would be an amazing platform to work on. He took an intensive Mac training course, in June 2008, right before the App Store launched.
In August 2008, he began ANDESigned, LLC with the launch of his first application called “Baby Tracker: Nursing”. Nursing, was one of the very first baby oriented applications available on the App Store and has been featured in Parenting Magazine and a segment on CBS “The Early Show” for “Best New Baby Gear and Gadgets”.
He has been very busy ever since and has followed Nursing, with Baby Tracker: Diapers, Wedding Day, Loves Me? Loves me Not, Christmas Tree Decorator and the app he is proudest of: Total Baby.
Wow!! I am so impressed and very, very proud of you!
Wow!! I am so impressed and very, very proud of you!
Yay Darren! Now I just wish I had a phone with app capabilities! We are so proud of you!