I Can’t Code. But I Built Custom App Scripts for My Business Anyway

I was trying to solve a problem. I wanted clear, quantifiable data, progress percentages, and demonstrable value tracking for both myself and my clients, specifically for the next iteration of my Strategic Advisory Partnership. However, I am not a coder. I don’t write code. I don’t write scripts. And I honestly don’t even consider myself that Excel-formula savvy. So I wasn’t sure how to achieve what I was looking for. 

My husband, on the other hand, does have a background in coding. And lately, he’s shared a lot about how he’s been working with Claude to write code and scripts for stuff around the house. (He’s super into home automation.) So it got me thinking, maybe I could lean on Gemini to write the code for me. Maybe I didn’t actually have to learn how to code. So I started playing around with that. And the first real step was getting ultra clear on what I was looking for – the metrics I wanted to track, the language I wanted to use, how the asset should function and the outcomes I was seeking. 

Then came the testing phase. Gemini and I spent quite a bit of time together here. First I needed it to tell me how to get started, how to implement and how to allow permissions. From there, I would prompt it, copy/paste the code and test the result. It took several iterations to nail down the exact specifications I wanted because I was looking for specific colors, language and formatting. There were definitely moments when I wanted to walk away or take a break but that’s not really my style. If I’m in a flow, if I’m in problem solving mode, I usually sit until completion. (Even if it takes several hours - which this did.)

When I finally nailed it, I was exhilarated. What an accomplishment, I thought. And what an amazing asset I’ve now created for my clients! I was amped. So much so, that I decided to see what else I could do. Now that I better understood the type of prompt Gemini needed, I could take that same strategy and apply it to other client deliverables and even some of my own internal tracking needs. 

It’s easy to get complacent; both in our lives and our businesses. I hope this reminds you to step outside your comfort zone, challenge the status quo, and ask the question every business owner should be asking regularly: "Is there a better, smarter way to do this?" Then go tinker around and find out that there is.

I am not a coder. Except, now I am.