Why go for such a niche area?
When I first moved to Wellington I joined a local Crossfit gym and I was surprised at how difficult it was to book in to class with their name brand software. Equally surprising was how much energy it took out of the owners just trying to keep on top of their bookings and memberships with this software. That wasted energy could be used much more productively and so Influx was born.
Have you created apps for other industries?
Booking is a fairly standard problem across most industries but we're focused on the specifics of the fitness industry. We've got years of experience in writing fitness software so that's where we can add most value. Influx was originally based around the small business needs of a Crossfit gym but we're now fielding enquiries from bootcamps and we're about to launch in our first Gym chain for their group fitness classes.
What has the response been to Influx so far?
Fantastic. The emails I get when gym owners first try Influx are always so rewarding. Some are incredulous at how quickly they could get up and running and others just say thanks for making it so simple. The feedback from their members that they love the simplicity and ability to book in on the run is even better. Knowing you've made your clients' lives better by making their clients happy is a great feeling.
What is your business model?
Influx is a monthly subscription with pricing dependent on the number of active members you have. That way costs only grow as your business grows.
Next week: New Zealand has a vast number of one man/woman bands - people happiest working on their own, doing what they do best - piano tuners, software developers, electricians, plumbers, artists. They don't have staff to hand over to during the year so they tend to soldier on for the greater part of it without a break. Most of them at this time are counting down the days to the summer holiday when they get to relax for a change. Tell me your stories, how do you cope with up to a month of no invoices coming in?