My Date Jar is an interactive mobile app designed to help people plan activities, attend events, and discover memorable experiences in their area—all while fostering a sense of community both digitally and face-to-face.
Founded by Bretton Key, the app originated from a simple mason jar filled with fun and adventurous ideas. This was inspired by Bretton’s IT experience, his children, the unique experiences available in his community, and a strong desire to make a positive impact on the world.
My Date Jar can be used by anyone who is looking for something fun to do while building meaningful connections and spending quality time with loved ones.
While the idea behind My Date Jar was clear, turning it into a functional and appealing mobile app presented multiple challenges.
First, Bretton needed to ensure the app was not perceived merely as a “dating app” but as a platform for promoting meaningful connections among friends, families, and communities.
He also needed a way to simplify event planning in a way that made unique experiences more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
“I created My Date Jar to solve the challenges of hassle-free event planning while simultaneously fostering a sense of community and togetherness for both merchants and customers,” Bretton explains.
With limited coding experience and less-than-perfect prototype, Bretton needed help bringing his app idea to life—and that’s where he turned to BuildFire.
“I was frustrated by costly proposals from other development companies that didn’t align with my vision.” But something just clicked when he reached out to BuildFire.
“I was impressed with BuildFire’s attentive approach during early discussions,” he continues.
This positive early impression continued throughout the development process and ultimately resulted in the My Date Jar app getting completed faster than expected.
“BuildFire’s collaborative process and quick response times have been instrumental in building My Date Jar.”
My Date Jar is slated to gain 5,000+ users within the first 90 days of its nationwide launch.
The app also has over 2,500 locations and hundreds of nationwide events on the platform—and it’s still growing.
“BuildFire’s support extended to helping refine my marketing plan and go-to-market strategy,” Bretton explains.
Beyond My Date Jar’s ability to keep its user base happy, there are significant opportunities for business growth across B2B2C sectors. The app helps provide merchants with a simple yet effective way to deliver unique experiences to users. “It’s a win-win for everyone,” Bretton says.
“Thanks to BuildFire’s efforts, I’m in discussions with large businesses in the tourism and attraction industry to secure our first major nationwide client, marking a significant milestone for My Date Jar’s growth and success.”