Trail blazer | A conversation with Kerry Gallivan, president and founder of Chimani LLC in Yarmouth
Photo/Jan Holder
Kerry Gallivan
Chimani LLC
Founded: January 2010
Employees: 0
Startup costs: $50,000
Projected revenue, year one: $15,000
Projected revenue, year two: $50,000
Contact: 221-0266
PO Box 1072, Yarmouth
www.chimani.com
What is Chimani?
Chimani makes mobile applications that focus on the U.S. National Park System and national parks around the world. The applications include custom-made, high-resolution maps, utilities such as sunrise/sunset and tidal data, an audio tour, written content, events and high quality photos. The name Chimani is short for the Chinamimani Mountains National Park in Zimbabwe, where I completed an Outward Bound course in the mid-’90s and subsequently lived for six months. I think that this area of the world is one of the most interesting and beautiful, and has always inspired me to be creative.
Why did you start the company?
I love the outdoors, travel and technology. One day I was hiking Gorham Mountain in Acadia National Park and was trying to get information about weather and the trail on my iPhone. I then realized that there is an unmet need for an application that has clear, concise and quality information. You don’t even need a network signal to use the app, which only increases “usability.” This is why I decided to develop and create the app first for Acadia; I have always loved the park since childhood and thought it would be useful for both tourists and seasoned Mainers.
How do you market Chimani apps?
Marketing a mobile application is notoriously difficult. Realizing this, I knew that I had to come up with exciting and innovative ways to get the word out (the app retails for $9.99.) Chimani has strong Twitter and Facebook followings, which are regularly updated. The website is evolving to have a more “hands on” approach, where you can take a virtual tour of the app. Next, I went right to the source, Acadia National Park. I began handing out postcards to cafes, bike shops, restaurants and various tourist information centers.
How do you finance Chimani?
Chimani is financed through my personal savings. While this can be challenging, it helps remind me of my personal connection and investment in the company. The Acadia National Park app is my one source of information when experiencing everything that Acadia has to offer.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Establishing brand recognition within the App Store has been my biggest challenge. I knew that the Chimani apps had to be different from all others and set themselves apart. Reaching customers who purchase the app has been particularly challenging. However, I always encourage and seek out feedback from customers. This feedback helps both myself and those producing the map features to collaborate on ideas on how to improve user experience. During one specific difficult project regarding updating the trail maps, I actually set up a Skype video call with a map maker overseas to hear his ideas and advice on how to produce the specific type of digital maps.
What has been successful about your business strategy?
Chimani places a large emphasis on collaboration and building a quality product. We live in a connected, networked society and try to engage all aspects of the company, from customers to developers to the national park information sources, in order to create a product that is both unique and useful. My experience as a director of technology for the Topsham school district has also provided me with real world technological and management experience and has helped when thinking about how to successfully market the app to a wide range of people. From the very start of the development process, personal connections with customers have only helped to improve our product.
What are your goals for Chimani?
Ultimately, my goal is to build a successful small business in Maine that contributes to the local economy, but also is able to tap into the global marketplace. I want to build practical, well-designed applications that help people to better understand and enjoy the national parks. I have some of my best memories at national parks, and eventually hope to build an app for each one across the United States.
Interview by Lara Cole
New Ventures profiles young businesses, 6-18 months old. Send your suggestions and contact information to editorial@mainebiz.biz.
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