About Me
In 2024, I decided to give more focus to my own app ideas and set up Shipyard Studios as an indie app business. At the time I had no apps on the App Store and only a rough list of concepts, but I wanted to challenge myself to take projects from idea to reality.
Since then, I’ve been figuring it out one app at a time. My goal is to build useful, well-designed apps that people love to use, while also using each project as a chance to experiment, learn, and grow as a designer, engineer and product creator.
My journey so far
I’ve been interested in apps since working at the Apple Store part-time during university back in 2010. It was then I saw firsthand how much apps mattered — they were what made people excited about their devices. That stuck with me.
After university, I worked in marketing and digital advertising, but I had an itch to build and design things, not just promote them. In 2015, I decided to switch careers. I left my job in advertising, and attended an iOS developer bootcamp in Salt Lake City. That’s where I built my first app and started my journey as a developer.
Since then, I’ve worked as an iOS developer in London, Sydney, and Vancouver, eventually joining Apple in 2022 on the App Store team. Alongside that professional experience, I’ve always enjoyed working on side projects — trying out new technologies, polishing ideas, and shipping apps end-to-end.
Why indie?
Working on indie projects gives me the chance to explore ideas and take them from concept to finished product. It’s a way to practice the full spectrum of app development while experimenting with new approaches and technologies along the way.
I’ve chosen to bootstrap my app business instead of raising funding because I want to stay in control of what I build. No investors, no pressure to chase growth at all costs — just the freedom to focus on making useful, well-designed apps that people actually enjoy using.
Of course, that also means I’m starting from zero, funding everything myself while I figure this out. It’s a challenge (and slightly terrifying), but for now I’d rather stay in control and attempt to build a business that offers me the potential for freedom and a lifestyle I really want.
Another reason I love indie life is that I get to do a bit of everything — coding, design, marketing, copywriting, and business strategy. Every app is a chance to learn and improve, not just as a developer, but as a product creator.
Why Shipyard Studios?
To start my new business, I needed a name. I've always been big fan of boats and I live in the heart of Vancouver harbour where I'm surrounded by boats and working shipyards on a daily basis. The name Shipyard Studios pays homage specifically to the North Vancouver shipyards where I live and work.
Get in touch
If you’re interested in what I’m working on, feel free to reach out:
