đź’µ The Roadmap to Solopreneur Success: My Journey with CoSell Buddy
Here’s a list of challenges and solutions I’ve encountered while building my iOS app, CoSell Buddy:
If you’re a dev, feel free to read through…if not, just scroll to the bottom.
Accomplishments âś…
1. Core User Authentication & Profile Management
- Successfully integrated Google Sign-In, enabling seamless authentication.
- Implemented Firebase Firestore for persistent user data storage.
- Built AuthViewModel to manage authentication state and sync user data across sessions.
- Designed and structured the Profile Page, allowing users to:
- View their Google profile image, name, and email.
- Input and persist their organization and role.
- Select and store their solutions offered.
2. UI/UX Enhancements & Functional Features
- Implemented a progress bar to indicate profile completion dynamically.
- Built multi-selection functionality for the Solutions Provided section.
- Ensured that the Profile Tab UI is fully left-aligned and follows a structured layout.
- Added scroll-based visibility for the Sign-Out Button, preventing accidental logouts.
- Introduced a confirmation pop-up before signing out to improve user experience.
3. Data Persistence & Firestore Integration
- Structured Firestore user profiles, ensuring all necessary fields (organization, role, solutions) are saved and retrieved correctly.
- Integrated real-time syncing, so changes made to profile fields are automatically saved and updated.
- Debugged and fixed data loss issues where user selections were not persisting upon navigation.
4. Xcode Development Workflow Optimization
- Set up Xcode Previews to speed up UI testing without needing to build and run the app every time.
- Resolved simulator and sign-in redirection bugs by refining navigation logic.
- Identified and fixed text wrapping and indentation issues in multi-line elements.
Challenges Encountered & Resolved ⚠️
1. UI Alignment Issues
- Problem: The Solutions Provided section was misaligned compared to the Organization and Role fields.
- Solution: Adjusted padding, alignment, and LazyVGrid settings to ensure proper layout.
- Problem: Multi-line text in the Solutions Provided list was indented incorrectly.
- Solution: Modified the HStack structure to ensure text and checkboxes are top-aligned.
2. Persistent Data Storage Issues
- Problem: Selected solutions were not saving properly to Firestore.
- Solution: Debugged and ensured Firestore writes were triggered on selection changes.
- Problem: Profile data wasn’t persisting across app restarts.
- Solution: Improved Firestore fetch logic on app launch.
3. Navigation Bugs
- Problem: Clicking other tabs after visiting Profile sometimes did not navigate correctly.
- Solution: Refactored tab navigation and ensured proper environment object updates.
- Problem: After signing in, the app would redirect to Xcode debugger.
- Solution: Identified and removed unintended breakpoints.
4. Simulator & Preview Issues
- Problem: Xcode previews weren’t displaying the Profile page correctly.
- Solution: Added mock data for previews to enable live UI testing inside Xcode.
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The core message here is you will encounter countless challenges while building as a solopreneur.
The key is making sure you have a roadmap so as you are working through this mess, you realize how each piece fits into the bigger picture.
For example, my app will enable me to reach a broader audience / revenue base for the services I plan on offering.
I plan on launching the MVP app in Q2 with 2 pricing tiers.
I’ve thought this through and it’s a must that you do the same.
It’s an ongoing process, it’s not a one and done exercise.
I highly recommend that you couple services and products together which will refine and enhance eachother as you work with clients and gain experience.
If you don’t have a roadmap, reply “RM” to this email and we’ll spend an hour putting your initial draft together.
Play the decade game with me.
To your solopreneur success,
Matt Barron
P.S. You are the solution architect of your life and a business to support it.