“When is my niece’s birthday already?” “” What didn’t she like about the neighbor the last time? If you often ask yourself these kinds of questions, the Graceful app is for you. Just launched by Claire Saccoccini in San Francisco, its ambition is to facilitate and nourish personal relationships.
For this mom with a busy agenda, reminders are useful. ” I realized that we relied on technology for many aspects of our lives. Shopping, managing bank accounts, making an appointment with the doctor … But to enrich our most precious relationships, there are many mobile applications: calendars, Facebook, Whatsapp, etc. We get lost. The idea of Graceful is to centralize everything without replacing anything. ” She is aimed primarily at those who, like her, ” believe in technology to be more organized, and are more relaxed when things are planned “.
“ The app has 3 main functions. The first is to organize your contacts visually – a bit like Marie Kondo, and organize them in groups, by color. »Then, the user can complete an individual form per contact. ” This is where it takes a little investment », Recognizes the entrepreneur. ” We write down all the info about who matters, from the details to the more important things. »We add key dates, names of children, pets, the last gifts exchanged … Small icons illustrate the way of life. A balancing act juggling a ball for the “Swiss Knife Moms”. A washing machine for the dads involved. A van and surfboards for those who are looking for adrenaline etc.
Finally, the last part of the application is intended to push people to take action. ” It could be sending a card, a gift, saying thank you, saying sorry … ”
From advertising to entrepreneurship
” We are all very busy, especially this year. And we would like to remember more of what matters to our loved ones. This desire, Claire Saccoccini has always been aware of it. But it was a few months ago, for her 40th birthday, that she decided to act, pushed by circumstances. ” I had to start a new job on the day of confinement, and eventually they canceled my contract. It was a catalyst », She explains.
After spending 10 years in advertising production in Paris, and 6 in California working on branding for start-ups, she is ready to create her own. And quick. ” I gave myself 3 months between when I had the idea and when my app was on the App Store. “ Her husband, from the digital world, helps her with the technical side. “He also gave himself 3 months to code Graceful app without knowing the correct programming language. ” Mission accomplished. ” I did myself violence by launching something very simple in terms of design, which I improve based on the feedback. “
Upcoming developments
“ Beyond keeping in touch, there is also the idea of celebrating the person you care about. »A way of giving concrete form to her thinking that Claire Saccoccini plans to develop through partnerships. ” It won’t necessarily be mercantile, we don’t always need a gift, it could just be a quick note. The entrepreneur thinks for example of PunkPost. ” Ustart-up that allows you to dictate a message, specify the desired style as well as the occasion celebrated. Then an illustrator draws the card and sends it to the recipient for a few dollars “.
Another possible development: ” be able to exchange contact cards with other users of the app. ” A development that would be compatible with the local culture. Originally from the South of France, Claire Saccoccini recognizes that “cis somewhere very American as an application. In France, we may be more discreet, more distant and it is true that here it counts enormously this type of attention. But I hope it’s also international. “
Unlike the competition, Graceful was not designed for the professional aspect. ” It is not an app to shine in society, it is not based on performance or networking. Even if, those whose profession is intertwined with their personal life often add their colleagues », Remarks the founder. The Graceful app will however be very useful to make the next Christmas dinner more enjoyable. Including if it takes place online.
