We spoke with p2p Business Awards founder, David M. Simons, on creating an app that provides low-cost recognition and PR to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and social enterprises. David is a project manager without a technical background. After reading an article about an entrepreneur that used Bubble to launch a product, he developed his no-code skills and decided to become an entrepreneur himself.
What problem does your project solve?
David M. Simons: We offer no-nonsense, web-based awards to small business, solo-entrepreneurs, and social enterprises from any sector, anywhere. Peers judge each other’s entries, so there are no gala dinners or secret panels of judges. Participants receive low cost recognition and PR, as well as a press kit that comes with a personalized certificate page, press release, and web page.
How does your app work?
Users complete a short questionnaire and select the award categories that they wish to enter. Once the minimum number of entries from a geographic area are received, each participant completes their submission and is charged an entry fee. Afterwards, users read and evaluate their peers’ submissions and rank them in order of preference, resulting in a score for each submission. All participants receive an email letting them know how they did (e.g., winner, runner-up, etc.), along with PR tips and the press kit.
Tell us a little about your background and how you discovered no-code tools like Bubble.
A project manager without a coding background, I am the type of person who wants to keep learning and growing professionally. I discovered Bubble through a BBC online article, which described one entrepreneur's journey to release, so I decided that I would try my hand at being an entrepreneur. I purchased a Udemy course, which taught me the basics. After that, I expanded my no-code skills by using Gaby Román’s “Coaching No-Code Apps” training.
Why did you build your app on Bubble?
For someone without a technical background, using Bubble is very straightforward. Bubble is fun, rewarding, and allowed me to bring my concept to fruition; I didn’t really explore any alternatives. As a bonus, there are quite a few low-cost resources available for learning how to use the platform.
What has been your traction or successes so far?
I launched p2p Business Awards in March. My first set of users are engaging with the app and providing feedback. In addition to building the app, I am expanding my web presence by blogging about awards and creating video tutorials, which have helped me acquire readers and add a number of backlinks, though I am learning SEO techniques (on-page and off-page) as I go.
What are your future plans for your app?
I never anticipated launching p2p Business Awards during a global pandemic, but I hope that with many traditional business awards canceling and postponing their programs, small businesses will be inclined to seek out something completely new and try us out. We expect to introduce annual country-specific awards as soon as we have a big enough user base.
Learn more about p2p Business Awards: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
About Bubble
Bubble is a leader in the no-code movement. Bubble offers a powerful point-and-click web editor and cloud hosting platform that allows users to build fully customizable web applications and workflows, ranging from simple prototypes to complex marketplaces, SaaS products, and more. Over 400,000 users are currently building and launching businesses on Bubble - many have gone on to participate in top accelerator programs, such as Y Combinator, and even raise $365M in venture funding. Bubble is more than just a product. We are a strong community of builders and entrepreneurs that are united by the belief that everyone should be able to create technology.
Join the no-code movement today.
Do you want your app featured by Bubble? Reach out to us and tell us about your app. In addition to this series, we sometimes select our best apps to showcase on our website.
