In today’s fast-paced digital world, the ability to adapt and learn new skills is essential. For Waldemar, this adaptability led to the creation of two innovative apps, Focushaus and SP33D. But his path was anything but straightforward.
The Beginning of a Challenging Journey
Waldemar arrived in the United States with a visa problem that required him to take on any available work to stay afloat. He ended up doing deliveries in the San Francisco Bay Area, a job quite different from his previous tech career. Although physically demanding work, this job provided him with plenty of free time between deliveries. Unfortunately, this free time turned into a gaming addiction and a related shopping habit, pushing him further into a financial and emotional rut.
“I realized that I was wasting my life,” Waldemar shared. “I needed something meaningful to fulfill my life, and every time I spent designing or coding, I felt I was getting closer to my IKIGAI, my ‘reason for being.'”
The Turning Point
One day, Waldemar stumbled upon a YouTube video about Ezra Black, a homeless man who changed his life by learning iOS development. Inspired, Waldemar started exploring online courses that fit his budget. CodeWithChris (CWC) stood out as the benefits he’d get outweighed the cost of joining the program. Plus, it already seemed that Chris had established a trustworthy presence on YouTube.
“Watching Chris’s videos, I felt like, ‘This guy is someone I can trust,’ and I didn’t hesitate to sign up for his course,” Waldemar recalled. He further supplemented his learning by watching lots of content from iOS Development content creators like Sean Allen and Big Mountain Studio — all while doing his deliveries — just to get used to the terminologies in the industry.
Building Focushaus
Sure enough, the road wasn’t easy. Waldemar faced the daunting task of building a new portfolio from scratch, as much of his previous work was outdated or lost. However, the community around CodeWithChris proved invaluable, until everything came to fruition. As time went on, he was able to put things together and make them work, all it took was his focus, patience, and sheer determination.
“During the development of Focushaus, I received a lot of help, and Chris Parker, (one of the moderators on CWC’s CodeCrew Forum) did an awesome job assisting me with some issues I encountered,” said Waldemar.
Focushaus, a Pomodoro app infused with Bauhaus-inspired design, was Waldemar’s first major project. The simple, minimalist design helped him focus more on development rather than getting bogged down by complex UI elements.
Building SP33D
Encouraged by the success and momentum of Focushaus, Waldemar went on to develop SP33D, a speedometer app designed to provide drivers with accurate real-time speed information. This app is particularly useful for drivers whose vehicle speedometers are inaccurate or malfunctioning, contributing to road safety.
You can check out SP33D here.
A Story of Growth
Waldemar’s story is one of resilience and determination. Arriving in the US with a career hiatus and a visa problem, he had to work jobs far removed from his tech background. Gaming became a temporary refuge, but it wasn’t fulfilling. Realizing he was coasting through life, Waldemar made a conscious decision to swap his video game habit for something more meaningful.
“Each day, I persisted in this routine, pushing forward even when the concepts seemed elusive at first. Even upon returning home, I dedicated myself to the learning process until as late as 8 PM,” he shared.
The Role of CodeWithChris
For Waldemar, CodeWithChris played a crucial role in his transformation. The platform offered a structured, supportive environment where he could thrive. The community provided the much-needed support, and the course content was both comprehensive and accessible.
“One thing that’s become abundantly clear is that the internet is an invaluable resource. Whether it’s a simple inquiry like ‘How to start developing with SwiftUI’ or a more complex one such as ‘How to create a local notification in SwiftUI,’ a quick search yields a plethora of helpful links and guidance,” Waldemar noted.
Looking Ahead
Even though Waldemar had already built 2 apps, it’s safe to say that his portfolio is growing and he’s just getting started on his iOS development journey. His next project involves creating an app with SwiftData, and he’s eager to explore further.
“I’m just getting started on this journey, and there’s still so much to learn,” Waldemar said.
With the recent advancements in Swift, SwiftUI, and the overall iOS development landscape, we’re confident that Waldemar’s portfolio of apps will grow quickly. Exciting times are ahead, and we can’t wait to see the innovative solutions he’ll bring to the market.
Conclusion
Waldemar’s story is a testament to the transformative power of education and community support. From a delivery driver struggling to make ends meet, he evolved into a confident iOS developer with two successful apps under his belt. If you’re looking to make a similar transformation, CodeWithChris might just be the place to start.
Curious to see how far you can go? Start our beginner course How to Make an App in 8 Days for free today!