Building apps that stand out in today’s tech landscape is no small feat, but Tomas, a Toronto-based developer and Canadian Infanteer, has proven it’s possible to deliver high-quality apps swiftly with the right tools. In this interview, we uncover Tomas's journey, how he mastered app development with Lovable.dev, and the lessons he learned while creating Dummy Forms and other successful projects.
TL;DR
- Tomas, a seasoned developer with 15+ years of coding experience, used Lovable to launch 10 apps, including two in active production.
- His most notable project, Dummy Forms, simplifies form creation and management for developers and non-developers alike.
- Best practices shared include prioritizing feature planning, leveraging knowledge panels, and integrating Stripe early in app development.
- Lovable stood out to Tomas for its advanced capabilities and community-driven support.
Meet Tomas
S: Can you introduce yourself? Who are you, and how did you discover Lovable?
T: My name is Tomas, and I’m 29 years old. I grew up in Niagara Falls, Ontario, and have been living in Toronto for the last seven years. I run two businesses—a dental technology company and a design firm—while also serving in the Canadian Army.
I’ve been coding for over 15 years, primarily focusing on front-end development. Lovable has been a game-changer for me, significantly boosting my back-end capabilities and enabling me to create full-stack apps faster than ever before.
Projects and Achievements
S: What are some key projects you’ve built with Lovable?
T: I’ve created several apps, but Dummy Forms stands out. It addresses a recurring issue I noticed: developers and non-developers repeatedly rebuilding form logic. Dummy Forms offers a no-fuss solution to generate forms, analyze submissions, and streamline workflows.
Dummy Forms was particularly rewarding because it won third place in a Lovable hackathon and ranked fifth on Product Hunt with minimal promotion. In just eight days, the app attracted 2,100 unique visitors, 584 signups, and over 190 forms created.
Another notable project is TrackMyInfluencer.com, a marketing tool that helps businesses monitor influencer campaigns and ROI.
Week 3 of building and shipping daily:https://t.co/fygNAbS2R5
— Tomas Henkenhaf (@tomashenkenhaf) December 21, 2024
Track, measure, and optimize your influencer campaigns with precision. Make data-driven decisions that drive real results.#buildinpublic pic.twitter.com/lSpuMlxXdF
Best Practices for Building Apps
S: What advice would you give to developers and non-developers building with Lovable?
T:
- Start with Competitor Analysis: Before diving into development, analyze your competitors. Understand their features and figure out how to differentiate your app.
- Plan Features Thoroughly: Use a journal to list all core and supporting features. This helps in creating a clear roadmap.
- Leverage Knowledge Panels: Continuously update the knowledge panel in Lovable to ensure smoother development.
- Separate Landing Pages and In-App Experiences: Clarify your app structure early to avoid routing issues.
- Integrate Stripe Early: If you’re monetizing, connect Stripe during the initial stages of development to streamline back-end workflows.
Lovable’s Edge
S: How has Lovable helped you as a developer?
T: Lovable allows me to build advanced features in days rather than weeks or months, which is crucial for my client work. Its seamless integration with tools like GitHub and the community's professional support make it stand out from other platforms I’ve tried.
For non-developers, I recommend using AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude to generate technical prompts. This bridges the gap between design and development, enabling more robust outputs.
What’s Next for Tomas?
S: What’s on the horizon for you?
T: I’ve already built 10 apps with Lovable, and two are in active production. I’m currently working on a community portal for my nine-to-five job and developing a CRM for my brother-in-law’s HVAC company. Additionally, I’m integrating advanced features like SMS notifications into Dummy Forms to rival established tools like Typeform.
Conclusion
Tomas’s journey demonstrates how Lovable empowers developers and non-developers to turn their ideas into fully functional apps quickly and efficiently. His advice to focus on planning, leverage the platform’s advanced features, and engage with the community highlights why Lovable is a top choice for modern app development.
Ready to build apps like Tomas? Start building on Lovable today and bring your ideas to life faster than ever!
