Bookey

How Amir Jabarivasal Built A Book-Swapping App

Founders

Profitable

Yes

Days To Build

150

Year Started

2019

Customer

B2C

Founders

Profitable

Yes

Days To Build

150

Year Started

2019

Customer

B2C

Who is Amir Jabarivasal?

Amir Jabarivasal, founder of Bookey, is a UCL alumnus who self-taught coding using online resources, transitioning from traditional roles to entrepreneurship driven by his desire to foster community connections through technology.

What problem does Bookey solve?

Bookey allows you to meet people in your area by swapping books, making it easier to connect with others and discover new reads without spending money.

How did Amir come up with the idea for Bookey?

Amir Jabarivasal, motivated by his own feelings of isolation after moving to a new area, identified a lack of community connection as a problem worth solving. Drawing inspiration from his university days, where meeting new people was easy, he wanted to replicate that environment in the real world. Amir began teaching himself to code, leveraging affordable online resources and communities to gain the skills necessary to develop a solution.

During his learning process, Amir consistently faced challenges, including the overwhelming nature of coding and the fear of failing at something new. However, his perseverance allowed him to refine his coding abilities, identifying knowledge gaps and actively seeking solutions. Utilizing feedback and collaboration from his network, he tailored his idea into Bookey—an app designed to foster social connections through book swaps mirroring the match-making concept of dating apps.

How did Amir build the initial version of Bookey?

Amir Jabarivasal built the Bookey app by teaching himself to code over a five-month period, during which he learned JavaScript and mobile app development using React Native and Node.js. Starting with no prior coding experience, he relied on affordable online courses and community resources such as Reddit, GitHub, and Stack Overflow, spending only £30 on tuition.

The initial stages of development were challenging, requiring him to extensively research and seek help on forums, particularly as he struggled to build early iterations of the app. Collaborating with a UX/UI designer, he gradually improved the app’s user interface, gaining confidence and refining the product through continuous testing and iteration. Despite the initial difficulties and pressure to prove his progress, Amir managed to release Bookey on both Android and iOS, marking a significant personal achievement.

What were the initial startup costs for Bookey?

Online Courses: The founder spent £30 on online courses to learn how to code.

What was the growth strategy for Bookey and how did they scale?

Bookey utilized social media platforms like Facebook to spread the word about their app. They created a Facebook page to engage with potential users and updated the community on new features and events. The Facebook page also acted as a direct channel for feedback and user interaction, helping to foster a sense of community.

Why it worked: Social media is an effective way to reach a large audience without a significant marketing budget. By creating engaging content and encouraging sharing, they were able to build a community around Bookey, increasing app downloads and user engagement.

Online Communities

Amir Jabarivasal leveraged online communities such as Reddit, StackOverflow, and GitHub. By participating in these platforms, he not only learned how to code and improve the app but also garnered interest and support from tech enthusiasts and potential users.

Why it worked: Online communities offer organic reach where individuals who are naturally interested in coding and new apps congregate. Highlighting the app’s features and development journey in these communities increased visibility among tech-savvy users who could appreciate and support Bookey’s concept.

What's the pricing strategy for Bookey?

Bookey offers a free book-swapping app that connects users for no charge, providing a cost-effective way to meet new people and access more books.

What were the biggest lessons learned from building Bookey?

Self-Learning is Empowering: Amir discovered that teaching himself to code was more accessible than expected, thanks to online resources and communities. This demonstrates the power of self-motivation and resourcefulness when building new skills.
Embrace Failure as a Catalyst: Initially fearing failure, Amir learned to view it as an opportunity for growth. Understanding that many successes arise from initial failures can help founders embrace risks confidently.
Importance of Self-Motivation: Working with a flexible timetable, Amir highlighted the value of self-discipline and motivation when working independently. Flexible working can lead to increased productivity and creativity.
Collaboration is Key: Despite being comfortable working alone, Amir recognized the necessity of collaborating with others to complete tasks. This emphasizes the importance of teamwork in achieving business goals.
Mindset Matters: Amir cultivated a mindset where learning and growth were seen as success, regardless of the app's outcome. Adopting this perspective can help founders stay resilient and open to opportunities.

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