How I Built Two Apps
With AI as a Non-Coder
Founder

A 90-Minute Journey Through Real Moments, Struggle, and Discovery

Greg Kowalczyk

Greg Kowalczyk

Mechanical Engineer → Entrepreneur → Vibecoder/Marketer

📖

Story

The journey from engineer to entrepreneur using AI tools — with all the real struggles

🎓

Masterclass

A practical 5-step guide to build your first AI app

💡

Impact

Business & personal transformation in 6 months

"I Wasn't Supposed to Build Apps"

From corporate engineer to consultant to e-commerce founder — now using AI tools to build apps and accelerate marketing. Still an entrepreneur running businesses, just with better tools.

1990s
VB Class
2011
Consulting
2014
E-commerce
2025
Vibecoder

Before: Corporate Engineer

  • Mechanical Engineer by education
  • 20+ years in corporate
  • Managed teams of 70+ engineers
  • Last coding: Visual Basic (1990s)

Middle: Consulting + E-commerce

  • 2011: Left corporate, started consulting
  • 2014: Added e-commerce with daughter
  • Built GearTOP (sun protection)
  • Built TapeGeeks (athletic tape)

Now: AI-Enabled Entrepreneur

  • Still running businesses, helping customers
  • Adapted to new AI tools (Vibecoder/Marketer)
  • 2 apps live in App Store
  • 3 more in development
  • Natural evolution, not a career change

"Building apps was never in the life plan. But as an entrepreneur, I adapt to new tools that help me serve customers better. This is just the natural evolution."

🎯 What This Session Is About

This presentation is not about teaching e-commerce tactics. It's about showing business owners, entrepreneurs, and marketers how AI tools can transform the way you work in 2026 and beyond.

You'll see how a non-technical founder built real software, created competitive advantages, and accelerated marketing — and how you can apply these same tools to your business starting today.

How Business Changed

From being blocked by costs and gatekeepers to building whatever your business needs.

⛔ The Old Way (pre-2025)

  • 💰 $50K-$200K app development quotes
  • 📄 Landing pages: $2K-$5K + 10-14 days wait
  • ✍️ Hire copywriters, designers, developers
  • 📅 Months of back-and-forth revisions
  • 🚫 Marketing blocked by technical dependencies
  • 💸 Expensive iterations = no experimentation
  • 📉 Slow to market = lost opportunities

✅ The New Reality (2026+)

  • 🚀 Apps: Build yourself with VibeCode + AI
  • ⚡ Landing pages: 2-3 hours, not 2 weeks
  • 🤖 AI handles copywriting + structure
  • 📈 Test 10 ideas in time it took to test 1
  • 💡 Marketing moves at speed of thought
  • 🎯 Full control, no waiting on others
  • 🔄 Iterate daily instead of quarterly
🚀

For Marketers

No more waiting. Build landing pages, run tests, launch campaigns at the speed you think.

🏢

For Business Owners

Build your own tools. Create ecosystems. Differentiate without massive budgets.

💡

For Consultants

Deliver more value faster. Build client tools. Charge for outcomes, not just hours.

"The barrier wasn't skill. It was cost and access. Now entrepreneurs can build what they need."

SunUp: Transforming Product into Ecosystem

From selling sun protection products on Amazon to building a daily-use sun safety platform. This app connects our customers with UV data, personalized safety recommendations, and our product ecosystem.

☀️ View on App Store
SunUp Left View
SunUp Main Screen
SunUp Right View

What the App Does

🌤️

Real-Time UV Monitoring

  • Pulls live UV index & air quality data using OpenWeatherMap API
  • Shows hourly forecasts and multi-day UV trends
  • Displays clear safety status (Go / Caution / High Risk)
🏃‍♂️

Activity Planning Tools

  • Calculates safe exposure times based on skin type, age, and activity
  • Helps plan outdoor activities (hiking, fishing, camping, sports)
  • Provides future UV forecasting for weekend trips
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Family Mode

  • Creates custom profiles for different family members
  • Adjusts recommendations based on skin type, age, and gender
  • Lets parents check safety for kids in different locations

Key Strategy: Features like this provide ongoing value that keeps us from being a commodity. Customers trust us, come back daily, and see us as solutions providers — not just product sellers.

🛍️

Product Ecosystem Integration

  • Shows curated sun protection gear at the right moment
  • Direct links to our GearTOP hats, shirts, and outdoor essentials
  • Affiliate partnerships for products we don't carry
  • Contextual product suggestions based on UV conditions
🔔

Smart Notifications

  • Sends reapply reminders based on activity intensity
  • Alerts when UV conditions spike suddenly
  • Reminds users to take breaks during extended exposure
🌍

Global Coverage

  • Works worldwide with OpenWeatherMap integration
  • Combines weather and air quality data
  • Adapts recommendations based on location

💡 Why I Built This:

GearTOP sells sun protection products online and through wholesale to retail stores. The problem? After customers buy a product, we lose contact. They forget about us. We become another commodity competing on price.

SunUp solves this: Now customers check UV data daily, get value beyond the physical product, and stay connected to our brand. The app positions us as a sun safety authority and solution provider — not just a product seller.

Why This Matters: Ecosystem vs Product

📈 The Perceived Value Transformation

❌ What Doesn't Work

  • Free eBook with purchase → read once, forgotten
  • Discount codes → trains customers to wait for sales
  • One-time content → no ongoing relationship
  • Physical product alone → commodity competition

✅ What Creates Real Value

  • App in customer's pocket → daily engagement
  • Ongoing utility → they come back every day
  • Educational ecosystem → builds authority
  • Premium positioning → without premium pricing

A $30 product + a $40/year app value = Customers see $70+ value package. Your brand is no longer just selling products — you're a solution provider.

💡 This Isn't Just For Product-Based Businesses

This value creation strategy works for every single business — whether you sell products, provide services, run a brick-and-mortar, or operate online. Any business that provides value to customers can use apps to differentiate and build relationships.

🏢 Examples Across Business Types:

🏠 Real Estate Agents
  • Home maintenance calculator app
  • Seasonal maintenance reminders
  • Property value tracking
  • Local market insights & trends
  • Home care guides & tutorials
🔧 Plumbers / Contractors
  • Emergency contact with one tap
  • Appointment scheduling app
  • DIY troubleshooting guides
  • Maintenance schedules & reminders
  • Cost estimator tools
💼 Professional Services
  • Client portals with real-time updates
  • Document management & sharing
  • Educational content libraries
  • Consultation booking systems
  • Progress tracking dashboards
🏪 Brick & Mortar Stores
  • Loyalty programs with instant rewards
  • In-store navigation & product finder
  • Personalized recommendations
  • Exclusive app-only deals
  • Event notifications & reservations

The Research Process: Using the AI tools we'll cover later (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity), you can research your specific industry and discover what value-adding features would differentiate your business. Every business has opportunities to provide ongoing utility through apps.

🎯 Family Mode — Unique Value

Check safety for loved ones in different locations. Example: Kid at camp 2,000 miles away — parents can plan exactly what protection they need.

This creates ongoing engagement families can't get anywhere else.

💨 AQI — Major Differentiator

No competitor combines sun + air safety. Critical during wildfire season for users with asthma, allergies, or smoke sensitivity.

Customers check this daily during fire season — habit-forming utility.

Before: Product Seller

  • 💸 Competing on price (BOGO, 20% off)
  • 📦 Commodity product (one transaction)
  • 🔄 One-time transaction mindset
  • 📉 Amazon listing, distant relationship
  • ❌ No reason to come back
  • 😴 Customer forgets about you

After: Sun Safety Platform

  • 🏆 Premium positioning (value, not price)
  • 🎓 Educational authority (trust builder)
  • 📱 App in pocket (daily engagement)
  • 🔗 Direct customer channel (your ecosystem)
  • ✅ Reason to return every day
  • 💡 Customer thinks of you first

"The app isn't a bonus. It's the business transformation. Your customers stay in YOUR ecosystem, not just Amazon's."

Help Me Out!

If you find SunUp useful, I'd be incredibly grateful if you could download it, try it out, and leave a review on the App Store. Your feedback helps me improve the app and reach more people who need sun protection.

Download & Review SunUp

RunMate Pro: TapeGeeks Ecosystem Play

16 years of running taught me what runners actually need. Built this app to solve my own problems with shoe tracking and injury prevention — then connected it to our TapeGeeks athletic tape business.

📱 View on App Store
RunMate Pro Left View
RunMate Pro Main Screen
RunMate Pro Right View

What the App Does

📍

GPS Tracking

  • Tracks location even with screen off
  • Works in background (phone in pocket)
  • Maps routes and calculates distance/pace in real-time
  • Tested 100+ times running outside to get GPS working perfectly
👟

Shoe Tracking

  • Track mileage for multiple pairs of shoes
  • Alerts when shoes need replacement (prevents injuries)
  • Helps rotate shoes to extend their life
  • Solves my own problem: I kept forgetting which shoes had high mileage
🩹

Injury Prevention (in development)

  • Log injuries and track recovery progress
  • Get alerts for overtraining patterns
  • Access taping guides and recovery protocols
  • Direct connection to TapeGeeks injury prevention products
🗺️

Route Planning

  • Create custom routes with AI assistance
  • Save and reuse favorite routes
  • See elevation profiles and distance
  • Built because I wanted to plan new routes without trial-and-error
📊

Performance Analytics

  • Weekly and monthly stats
  • Track progress over time
  • Monitor training load
  • Set and track goals
🔗

TapeGeeks Ecosystem Integration

  • Our Products: Links to TapeGeeks athletic tape and injury prevention products
  • Affiliate Partnerships: Running shoes, clothing, and gear we don't carry
  • Courses & Education: Injury prevention training based on logged injury patterns
  • Local Professional Network: Connect users with physiotherapists, chiropractors, health providers
  • The Goal: Complete injury prevention ecosystem, not just selling tape

Key Strategy: We provide solutions and value that keeps runners coming back. Whether we sell it or partner with others, we help solve their problems — which builds trust and retention.

💡 Why I Built This:

I've been running for 16 years. Yes, tracking shoe mileage in spreadsheets was annoying. But the bigger problem was injury prevention education.

I wanted to build something that would:

  • Educate runners on what products they can use based on their specific injuries
  • Prevent injuries by teaching proper form, running technique, and training methods
  • Guide proper protocols for warm-up, cool-down, and recovery
  • Share expertise from 16 years of running + working with medical professionals and athletic coaches

The mission: Keep runners healthy and injury-free. Not just sell tape.

Business benefit: Now TapeGeeks isn't just selling tape online and to wholesale stores. We're in runners' pockets with an app they use weekly, connecting them to injury prevention education and our products when they need them most.

Development Journey

Week 1: The Idea

"Just a simple shoe tracker" — started small, vision grew

Weeks 2-4: MVP

Added GPS tracking, basic UI, route functionality

Weeks 5-6: The Rebuild

Mixed Apple/Google Maps discovered — complete rebuild required

Weeks 7-10: The Battle

39 App Store rejections — nearly gave up end of August

Week 11: Victory

Rejection #39 → APPROVED! 🎉

App Store Rejection Counter 39
Started confident Nearly quit (#37) APPROVED!

The Business Value

🏃 TapeGeeks Ecosystem Integration

RunMate Pro isn't just a running app — it's a channel for TapeGeeks to educate and serve runners:

  • Educational content → Injury prevention, taping techniques, recovery
  • Product integration → Natural fit for athletic tape, recovery tools
  • Professional directory (planned) → Connect runners with physios, chiros who use our products
  • Community presence → Active at races, running clubs, local events

Runners keep coming back to the app → they remember TapeGeeks when they need athletic tape or injury solutions.

Help Me Out!

If you're a runner (or know one), I'd love your support! Download RunMate Pro, give it a try, and if you find it helpful, leave a review on the App Store. Your feedback means everything to an indie developer.

Download & Review RunMate Pro

Obstacles That Almost Stopped Everything

The brutal truth: AI breaks things. A lot. Here's what really happened.

"Debugging IS the work. Building is the easy part."

Major

🤖 AI Hallucinations

AI would randomly change working code, break screens without warning, overwrite logic unexpectedly.

Impact: Lost hours regularly. Lost days multiple times. Longest rollback: 5 full days of work.

Major

📍 GPS Tracking Nightmare

GPS worked until phone went in pocket. Signal drops, polylines not drawing, maps not updating.

Stuck for 3 weeks. Tested outside 100+ times. Ansh from VibeCode personally helped fix it.

Rebuild

🗺️ Map System Failure

After a month, discovered mixed Apple/Google Maps. Billing issues. Trail coverage problems.

Solution: Complete rebuild. Scrapped entire map system. Rebuilt with open-source maps.

Learning

💻 Terminal Confusion

First time seeing Terminal: "What is this black screen?" Didn't know Expo, TestFlight, dependencies, navigation stacks.

Method: Ask AI → Try → Fail → Ask again → Try again → Eventually understand.

😔 The Breaking Point — End of August 2025

Exhausted from rejections. Frustrated with obstacles. Nearly gave up completely. Considered hiring a developer. Felt defeated.

The decision: "Try one more time." → Rejection #39 → APPROVED! 🎉

"Breakthrough often comes right after you want to stop."

Your 5-Step Framework to Build AI Apps

If you follow this structure, you can build real software — faster than you think.

The Framework Summary

1
Pain Point
2
AI PRD
3
Build Small
4
Debug w/ AI
5
Version & Submit
1

Start with a Real Pain Point

Your personal frustration is your best fuel. Don't choose an idea you don't care about.

  • Pick something YOU struggle with
  • Use your own experience
  • Solve for yourself first
  • Don't build what you think others want
  • Don't chase trends without passion

My example: "I hate tracking running shoes in spreadsheets" → RunMate Pro

2

Use AI to Generate PRD + Prompts

Don't start coding. Start planning. AI helps organize messy ideas into structure.

  • Talk through idea with ChatGPT/Claude
  • Request Product Requirements Document
  • Ask for feature lists with priorities
  • Generate prompts for VibeCode
3

Build Tiny Pieces → Test Immediately

Don't build everything at once. Build ONE tiny feature, test in REAL WORLD, iterate.

  • Test OUTSIDE the dev environment
  • Quick feedback loops
  • Catch problems early
  • Less overwhelming

My example: Went running outside 100+ times to test GPS

4

Debug with Cursor + Claude Code

When things break (they will): Screenshot → AI → Explanation → Fix → Test → Repeat

  • Expect hundreds of iterations
  • Things will break repeatedly
  • Persistence > talent
  • Support communities help
5

Version, Documentation & App Store Submission

AI will hallucinate and break working code. Proper documentation and version control saves you from losing weeks of work.

📝 Document Everything:

  • README.md file: Document all logic, architecture decisions, and how things work
  • CHANGELOG.md file: Track every change, feature addition, and bug fix
  • Version-specific notes: What was changed in each version and why

💾 Version Control Strategy:

  • Keep copies of each version: Save complete working versions before major changes
  • Version-specific releases: 1.0, 1.1, 1.2 with clear documentation
  • Rollback ready: Be able to revert to last stable version quickly
  • Test before committing: Verify everything works before saving as new version

🚀 App Store Submission:

Two Ways to Submit:
  • Option 1 - Easy Way (VibeCode): Submit your app directly from the VibeCode app - simplest method
  • Option 2 - Manual Way (Cursor/Xcode): Learn Cursor or Xcode → Test with TestFlight → Use Transporter to submit to App Store Connect
  • Create app identity: Design your app icon and finalize your app name early
  • Reserve domain name: Secure a domain for your app and future website (e.g., runmatepro.com)
  • Submit early: Don't wait for "perfect" - get it in the App Store
  • Learn from rejections: Apple's feedback makes your app better
  • Version tracking: Know exactly what code is live vs. in development
  • Iterate based on feedback: Real users will show you what matters

My example: I rolled back 5 FULL DAYS of work when AI broke too much. Having documented versions saved me from starting over completely.

The Impact: What This Made Possible

In 6 months, a lot changed — business capabilities, technical skills, and new possibilities.

Before (June 2025)

  • 0 apps
  • 10-14 days for landing page
  • No differentiation
  • Commodity products
  • Amazon-only relationship
  • Price competition

After (October 2025)

  • 2 live apps, 3 more in dev
  • 2-3 hours for landing page
  • Ecosystem brands
  • Educational authority
  • Direct customer access
  • Value competition

Marketing & Speed Transformation

⚡ From Weeks to Hours

Landing Pages

Before: $2-5K, 10-14 days

Now: 2-3 hours, $0

Blog Content

Before: Hire writers, days

Now: Hours, AI-assisted

Product Pages

Before: Copywriter needed

Now: Generate & iterate

The Result: Small teams can now execute at the speed of large agencies. Test 10 ideas in the time it used to take to test 1.

Achievements in 6 Months

2
Apps Live
3
More in Dev
Race Director 2026
New Opportunities

🏆 Personal Transformation

  • From "I can't code" → "I ship production apps"
  • From "Apps are too expensive" → "I build apps myself"
  • From "E-commerce owner" → "AI-enabled founder"
  • From "Stuck in price wars" → "Creating real value"

🏃 Community Impact

  • Toronto Marathon Expo — booth with both apps
  • Co-leading Bronte Runners club
  • Taping runners at races
  • Planning Bronte Harbour Classic 5K (June 2026)

💰 New Business Opportunities

📈 From Product Supplier to Solution Provider

Apps transform your business model from selling products to solving problems. You're no longer just a supplier — you're a trusted advisor.

🎁 Increased Perceived Value

  • Educational content → Sets you apart from competitors
  • Premium positioning → Customers see more than just a product
  • Solution-based approach → You solve their problems, not just sell items
  • Trusted relationship → Direct access builds loyalty

💵 Revenue Expansion

  • Freemium → Paid tiers → Additional income streams
  • Premium courses → Monetize your expertise
  • Paid modules → Subscription-based content
  • In-app purchases → Beyond physical products

🤝 Partnership Opportunities

  • Affiliate networks → Running shoes, gear, services
  • Health providers → Physios, chiros, medical pros
  • Joint ventures → Complementary products/services
  • B2B partnerships → Corporate wellness programs

📱 Direct Marketing Channel

  • Push notifications → Reach customers instantly
  • Exclusive promotions → App-only deals
  • Personalized offers → Based on user behavior
  • Trusted audience → Higher conversion than cold traffic

The Bottom Line: An app isn't just a feature — it's a complete business transformation. You move from competing on price to competing on value, expertise, and relationships.

💡 The Monetization Strategy

📊 Current Phase: Build Value

  • Apps are FREE to users today
  • Marketing message: "$50/year value, free now"
  • Building perceived value before charging
  • Gathering feedback from real users
  • Growing user base organically

Free today = trust and adoption. Premium tomorrow = recurring revenue.

🚀 Future: Freemium Model

  • Free tier: Core features (GPS, UV safety, basic tracking)
  • Premium tier: $40-50/year
    • AI route generation
    • Advanced analytics
    • Professional directory
    • Exclusive content

The goal: Move from price competition to value competition.

💰 What This Actually Cost

💵 Real Investment (6 months)

  • VibeCode: ~$500-600
  • Apple Developer Programs: $99 × 2 = $198 (two companies)
  • AI subscriptions: Already had (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity)

Total: ~$700-800

🚫 What I Avoided

  • Developer quotes: $50,000-$150,000
  • Timeline: 6-12 months
  • No control: Dependent on agency
  • Slow iteration: Weeks for changes

Saved: $50K-$150K

Time investment: Part-time over 2-3 months while running two businesses full-time. Built between daily activities (dog walks, cooking, family time), deep study sessions, and between business tasks. These apps are now vertically integrated into our business processes — marketing, customer engagement, and product differentiation.

🚀 The Real Message

This is not about e-commerce tactics. This is about how entrepreneurs, business owners, and marketers can leverage AI to transform their operations in 2026 and beyond.

If a 55-year-old with zero coding experience can build production apps, accelerate marketing by 10x, and create competitive moats — what could you build for your business?

"It made me believe I could build the things I once thought were impossible."

With no coding background. With curiosity, persistence, and the right tools.

<

Tools & Resources: Everything You Need

The complete toolkit - what I use, where to learn, and how to get started building your own apps.

No need to master all at once. Start with 2-3 tools, add more as needed.

🎨 Primary Development Tool

🎨 VibeCode App

Primary app builder — used for majority of app development

  • No-code/low-code scaffolding
  • React Native development
  • Screen generation from prompts
  • Available on mobile and desktop
  • Convenient way to design apps at your desktop
  • Used for every section of the app

After designing in VibeCode, I move to Cursor and Claude Code for refinement.

⚡ Code Editing & Development

Cursor 2.0 & Claude Code

I use both tools simultaneously — side-by-side on my screen. I ask the same question to both, compare the results, and choose the best solution. Many times there are slight differences, and this method gives me better outcomes than using just one.

Code Editing:
  • Local code editing & file system access
  • Precise edits & debugging
  • Explain technical concepts
Content Generation:
  • Research articles generation
  • Blog & marketing content
  • Market research & analysis

💡 Pro tip: I run both side-by-side, ask the same question to each, and compare results. This dual-AI approach consistently produces better solutions than relying on a single tool.

🔗 Supporting Tools

🔗 MCPs

Extended capabilities

  • File system access
  • API connections
  • Automation
  • See MCPs list below
🤖 AI Learning Assistants

ChatGPT • Claude • Gemini Pro • Perplexity

  • Quick debugging
  • Brainstorming
  • Deep research
  • Market analysis
  • Visualization help
  • Identify what I don't know
  • Learn everything needed

I use all four interchangeably depending on the task. Each has unique strengths.

📱 App Store Submission Tools

⚙️ Expo

React Native development & build framework

  • App building & bundling
  • Device testing
  • Build creation for App Store
  • Development server
  • Essential for React Native apps
🍎 Xcode

Apple's official development environment

  • iOS app compilation
  • Simulator testing
  • Build management
  • App signing & certificates
  • Required for iOS development
📤 Transporter

Apple's app submission tool

  • Upload builds to App Store Connect
  • Validate app packages
  • Track submission status
  • Manage app versions
  • Official Apple tool

⚠️ App Store Rejections Reality

Got rejected 39 times with RunMate Pro. Each rejection required debugging, fixes, and resubmission.

How I solved rejections: Used Cursor extensively to analyze rejection messages, implement Apple's requirements, and fix compliance issues. Copy rejection message → Paste into Cursor/ChatGPT → Get solution → Implement fix → Rebuild → Resubmit.

How The Tools Work Together

Idea Phase

ChatGPT/Claude → PRD

Build Phase

VibeCode → Structure

Debug Phase

Cursor + Claude → Fixes

Deploy Phase

Expo → TestFlight → App Store

🛠️ Primary Tool: VibeCode

📱💻 VibeCode App

The primary tool I used to build both RunMate Pro and SunUp. Available on mobile and desktop — a convenient way to design apps at your desktop, then move to Cursor and Claude Code for refinement. Used for the majority of app development and every section of the app.

💰 Get $10 credit when you sign up — use code: GREG

📱 Sign Up for VibeCode

⭐ Outstanding Customer Support

VibeCode App has the best customer support I've ever encountered. I was consistently shocked by how quickly they respond and resolve issues. So many times, I'd post a question and within 3 to 5 minutes, they were already answering and working on the solution — often fixing problems I couldn't solve myself.

Big shout out to the entire VibeCode app team — and especially to Ansh, who personally helped me with many different things throughout my journey.

Thank you — this level of support made all the difference when I was learning and building.

🎥 Video Tutorials from VibeCode Co-Founder

Riley Brown - VibeCode Tutorials

Co-founder of VibeCode sharing detailed tutorials on building apps, Claude Code workflows, and Cursor setup.

▶️ VibeCode App Building Tutorial ▶️ Claude Code Deep Dive ▶️ Cursor Setup & Workflows ▶️ Complete Course Reference

🎨 Building Apps

🎨 How to Make Apps Stand Out

Interview with Chris Raroque on design, animations, and polish that turns AI-assisted prototypes into premium apps

▶️ Watch on YouTube

🚀 App Building Fundamentals

Foundational video explaining the core concepts of building apps (older but still valuable)

▶️ Watch on YouTube

🎓 Learning Claude Code & Cursor

🏆 Vibe Marketer Community

Join the community for full access to detailed courses with step-by-step videos covering Claude Code, Cursor, and modern AI development workflows.

  • Step-by-step video courses on Claude Code & Cursor
  • 1-hour interview with James on MCPs and Cursor account setup
  • Active community of AI-enabled builders and marketers
  • Ongoing support and shared learning
💡 How It Transformed My Learning

I started by absorbing many free contents from James Dickerson's videos and posts and Greg Isenberg's podcasts with his guests — many of them have unbelievably helpful content. After joining the community, the content available and the whole community support for whatever journey you have is outstanding and unbelievable.

The learning curve and material provided cut my learning curve big time. One video could bring me months of knowledge I would never imagine I could absorb — and then apply it to real life. This was especially true when hitting brick walls with getting into Cursor and Claude Code — it was a game changer to follow the processes and accelerate learning.

Within the last few months, I acquired knowledge that before would have taken years to learn. This allowed me to do things I couldn't even imagine I'd be able to do.

🚀 Join Vibe Marketer Community

🔌 Essential MCP Servers

Advanced Tools for Better Development

Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers extend AI capabilities with specialized tools. Here are the ones that made a difference:

🔎 Perplexity Ask

AI-powered research assistant for deep dives into any topic. Use it to research markets, gather information for bonus articles, and find answers for app manuals.

🔥 Firecrawl MCP

Web scraping and content extraction for research and content creation. Perfect for gathering data to create landing pages, bonus guides, and marketing materials.

🎭 Playwright

Browser automation for testing and content generation. Automates web interactions to help build landing pages and prepare app documentation.

📊 DataForSEO MCP

SEO and marketing research at scale. Get keyword data, competitor analysis, and search insights for your marketing content and landing page optimization.

🚀 Starting to Implement:
🗄️ Supabase MCP

Gives AI full access to your database while catching configuration mistakes you'd miss manually. Sets security rules better than most developers — keeps your data safe.

🔍 Context7 MCP

Reviews your code inside Claude Code to catch bugs before they become problems. Acts as your second pair of eyes during development.

🐛 Bug Bot

Catches security issues in your code and suggests fixes automatically. Essential for keeping your apps secure and stable.

💡 Pro tip: Learn about MCPs in the Vibe Marketer community — James's 1-hour interview covers setup and best practices.

"The best investment you can make is in learning. These resources shortened my journey by months."

<

Ask Me Anything

Time for questions — let's talk.

How long did each app take?

RunMate Pro: ~8-10 weeks. SunUp: ~6 weeks. Built simultaneously, not full-time.

What was the hardest part?

GPS tracking (3 weeks stuck), App Store rejections (emotional toll), learning terminal/Expo/TestFlight.

Can non-coders really do this?

YES. I'm proof. You need curiosity + persistence + patience. Don't need a CS degree.

What would you do differently?

Start with ONE app. Save versions MORE. Ask for help sooner. Accept imperfection faster.

What's next for the apps?

Spanish translations, full marketing campaign, official launch, monetization of premium features (courses, advanced tools), Vitamin D module, professional directory, expanded educational content.

Where should someone start?

1) Identify YOUR pain point. 2) Sign up for VibeCode. 3) Follow 5-step framework. 4) Join the VibeCode Community for extra help and support. 5) Don't quit.

⭐ I'd Love Your Support!

As an indie developer, every download and review makes a huge difference. If you find either app useful, I'd be incredibly grateful if you could:

☀️

SunUp by GearTOP

Perfect for anyone who spends time outdoors

Download
🏃

RunMate Pro

Built for runners who want to stay injury-free

Download

After you try them: If you find value in either app, please consider leaving a 5-star review on the App Store. Reviews help other people discover the apps and help me continue building and improving them. Every review matters!

🤝 Let's Stay Connected

I'm a builder and implementer — not a traditional consultant. I code, deploy, and train you on working solutions.

💼 What I Offer:

  • ✅ Custom AI tool development (prompt generators, dashboards, automation)
  • ✅ Marketing automation workflows that replace manual work
  • ✅ AI content systems at scale (100+ pieces generated)
  • ✅ Hands-on implementation — I build it, deploy it, train you on it
  • ✅ E-commerce AI integration and optimization

🚀 Real Experience:

  • 📊 28 years engineering + seven-figure e-commerce entrepreneur
  • 💰 Replaced $75K-125K in agency costs with AI automation
  • 📱 Built 2 live apps, 3 more in development
  • 🎯 $3M+ ad spend managing own businesses (Amazon, Meta, Google)
  • ⚡ Last 6 months: Intensive AI/ML (Machine Learning) tools development

Have questions about your business? Want to explore AI strategies? Interested in building an app?
Reach out anytime — whether you're building your first app, exploring AI marketing, or just want to chat about running and entrepreneurship!

🏃‍♂️ Join Us for the Inaugural Race!

Bronte Harbour Classic 5K

Father's Day Festival • Sunday, June 21, 2026

Bronte Harbour Park, Oakville, Ontario

Learn more at BronteHarbourClassic.com

🏃‍♂️ Visit BronteHarbourClassic.com

"Whether you're building your first app, exploring AI marketing, or just want to chat about running and entrepreneurship — I'd love to connect!"

— Greg Kowalczyk

Thank You!

GearTOP • TapeGeeks • Bronte Runners • The Vibe Marketers