Hartland School Board Member Helps Students, Businesses

Michelle Hutchinson, co-owner and COO of Inspired Apps, Inc., said her Hartland business started in April 2012.

She recently submitted information about the business to Patch. If you have a business and want to participate in Patch's Small Business Shout Out, you can fill out the online form.

How did your business get started? It's actually an interesting story. Founder, MJ Schwader, had started the business but was having trouble finding a partner who had the development skills he was looking for. We had been introduced through a mutual friend to talk about ebooks but ended up talking about mobile apps. I had come from 15 years developing software applications so I was the missing piece to launching this business. We decided to partner during that conversation and launched Inspired Apps, Inc.

What services does your business provide? We create mobile apps for small and independently owned businesses. Mobile apps are where the future of business marketing is headed and we can help the local business increase their mobile presence. We publish your mobile in the Apple App Store and Google Play.  People are looking for local businesses we just help them find you. 

What do you want your business to be best known for? That we are able to help local businesses increase their mobile presence, increase their foot traffic, and increase their revenue. We strongly believe that having a mobile app is a way to make sure your customers find you when they're looking for you. 

What's your most popular service? Everyone loves the punch card loyalty program. It takes the regular punch card, that people can never seem to find, and puts it on your mobile app so it's always with them. The Push Notifications are great too, allowing businesses to send out an instant savings to everyone who has their app. Keeping in touch with them and making them feel valued for being your customer.

Why did you choose the location that you did? I live in Hartland, my kids go to school in Hartland, I'm on the School Board in Hartland. I love it here. My job allows me to work from home which I am very grateful for. I'm anxious to help all of the wonderful local businesses who graciously give back to the community. 

What's a fact about your business that most customers probably don't know? That mobile apps are not just for games. We can add punch card loyalty programs, different types of coupons, fan walls, and you can send instant messages to everyone who has your app telling them what's going on and sending them special deals. When your app is on their phone, your business is on their mind. 

For more information, visit www.inspiredappsinc.com or email info@inspiredappsinc.com. For anyone who hires us to create and publish their mobile app and mentions HERO or the Hartland Teen Center, we will donate $200 to the HERO program. It's our little way of saying thank you to the community and promoting a great program.