I didn’t think that joining BBYO would lead me to build a top-ranked iOS app, but that’s exactly what happened. I’m the creator of (Seat Maker), a seating chart arrangement app that helps people contact their friends with preplanned seating charts at events. Here’s my story...

My name is Austin Frankel, and I am a rising senior and Mazkir of the Hudson Valley Region. I first joined YO in 9th grade because my parents forced me to find a connection with Judaism. I agreed to go, once. Then I went, again. And again. The moment I met my brother Alephs and sister BBGs, I fell in love with a community which I now refer to as my second family.

Todavía recuerdo mi primera convención de invierno como si fuera ayer. Pero, sobre todo, recuerdo las comidas: eran un auténtico caos. Todo el mundo enviaba mensajes, gritaba al otro lado de la sala y daba vueltas por el comedor tratando de encontrar a sus amigos. En ese momento, pensé: «¿Y si existiera una aplicación que creara un plano de distribución de asientos en segundos?». Sabía que había sitios web que lo hacían, pero eran poco prácticos y demasiado complicados. No tenía ni el tiempo ni la paciencia para eso.

Aquella noche, sentado en mi habitación de hotel, cogí el bolígrafo de la mesita de noche y esbocé la primera versión de Seat Maker en el bloc de notas del hotel. Apenas sabía programar y nunca antes había creado una aplicación para iOS, pero estaba dispuesto a aprender.

BBYO helped me more than I can explain. As Rakkaz and an International Convention Steerer, I learned how to plan big events, market ideas, and actually make things happen. From Mossad AZA members, who were future computer science majors, to people I met from around the world, BBYO gave me the confidence and community to foster relationships to help me succeed.

This week, I just launched my Seat Maker app and, to my surprise, within the first twenty-four hours, it ranked #4 in the country for Lifestyle apps. Aside from the rankings, I had just achieved a feat that I would never have been able to do if it were not for BBYO. This community taught me how to think creatively and how to believe in myself. And now, I am positive, this is only the beginning.

Aplicación Seat Maker

Página web de Seat Maker

Como si fuera el Instagram de Seat Maker,