This interview is with Jody Swain, Founder at Hire and Fire your Kids.

Jody Swain, Founder, Hire and Fire your Kids

Jody, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey to becoming an expert in parenting, startups, and mobile app development?

My name is Jody Swain, and I'm the founder of Hire & Fire Your Kids (HFK), a gamified parenting app designed to help families manage chores, behaviors, and household responsibilities in a fun and engaging way. My journey to becoming an expert in parenting, startups, and mobile app development has been anything but linear. I spent over 20 years in retail management, working with brands like Holt Renfrew, where I developed a passion for leadership, team-building, and driving results.

However, my life took a dramatic turn when I was fired at forty. At the time, I was already navigating significant personal challenges, including the loss of my son and my mother. Losing my job felt like the final blow, but it also became the catalyst for me to pursue my entrepreneurial dreams. The idea for Hire & Fire Your Kids was born out of necessity. As a mom in a blended family, I was struggling to manage the chaos at home. I developed a system to gamify chores and expectations, which not only improved our kids' behavior but also strengthened our family bond.

Friends and family noticed the positive changes and encouraged me to share the system with others. When I lost my job, I decided to take the leap and turn this idea into a business. Since then, I've navigated the challenges of building a startup, learning about mobile app development, and pitching to investors. I've also been recognized with awards like the H.U.B. Inc. "Game Changer of the Year" and was featured on Dragons' Den. My journey has taught me that resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn are key to success in both parenting and entrepreneurship.

What specifically drew you to founding a company in the mobile app space, and how has your experience as a parent influenced your entrepreneurial path?

The decision to enter the mobile-app space was driven by my desire to create a scalable solution that could help families worldwide. As a parent, I saw firsthand how technology could be both a challenge and an opportunity. Kids are naturally drawn to screens, and I wanted to harness that interest to teach them valuable life skills like responsibility, accountability, and financial literacy, as well as hold parents accountable, helping them parent in this digital age. My experience as a parent was the foundation of Hire & Fire Your Kids.

I was frustrated with the constant nagging and resentment I had around chores in my own household. I realized that if I could create a system that made chores fun and rewarding, and help parents manage their house rules without friction, it could transform the way families interact. The app allows kids to "apply" for jobs and earn rewards, and gives kids the power to prevent their selected consequence from being activated if they get "fired" for not meeting the family expectations.

My background in retail management also played a role. The practice of recognition, reward, and discipline helped me to motivate my teams to drive results, and I applied those same principles to parenting with recognition, reward, and consequence. The app is essentially a gamified version of how I led in the workplace. It’s about setting clear expectations, recognizing good behavior, and holding kids accountable in a positive way.

Many parents struggle to balance work life and family life. How has founding a company, particularly one in the demanding world of mobile apps, impacted your approach to parenting and managing household chores?

Founding a startup has been both rewarding and challenging when it comes to balancing work and family life. In the early days, I was so focused on building the business that I neglected my own family. I was working long hours, responding to customer emails late at night, and barely sleeping. My husband and daughter eventually staged an intervention, reminding me that the whole point of the app was to bring families closer together, not pull them apart. That wake-up call forced me to reevaluate my priorities. I realized that I needed to practice what I preached.

Just as the app encourages kids to take responsibility for their actions, I needed to take responsibility for my own well-being and my family’s happiness. I started setting boundaries, scheduling time for self-care, and involving my family in the business. Managing household chores and self-regulation has also become a team effort. We use the app as a family, and it’s helped us stay organized and accountable. It’s not perfect; there are still days when things get chaotic, but the app has given us a framework to work through challenges together.

Can you share an example of a time when your experience as a parent directly inspired a feature or solution in your mobile app?

One of the most impactful features is the actual app itself. The 'Hire & Fire' method was directly inspired by my experience as a parent in a newly blended family. When I was struggling to get the kids to help around the house, I realized that the traditional approach of nagging, assigning, complaining to my husband, or just doing the chores myself with resentment wasn’t working. I wanted to create a system that empowered kids to take initiative and feel a sense of ownership over their responsibilities.

The 'Hire' side of the app allows kids to apply for jobs, like doing the dishes or folding laundry, and earn rewards for completing them. The 'Fire' side is about accountability; if they don’t meet expectations (the family's house rules), they receive warnings and consequences. This system was born out of a family meeting where I showed my kids photos of the messes all around the home that they had made, and I asked, “Is it fair that I’m the one cleaning up?”

They agreed it wasn’t, and that conversation led to the creation of the ‘Hire & Fire’ method and eventually the app. Another feature inspired by my parenting journey is the 'Teamwork Bonus.' If all the kids in the family avoid getting 'fired' during a pay period, they each earn a teamwork bonus. This encourages them to work together and support each other, which has been a game-changer for our family dynamics. No more tattle-tales :)

Mobile app development is a constantly evolving field. How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies while juggling the responsibilities of parenting and running a business?

Staying up-to-date in the fast-paced world of mobile app development is a challenge, but it’s also essential for staying competitive. I make it a priority to carve out time for learning, whether it’s reading industry blogs, listening to podcasts, or attending virtual conferences. I’ve also joined networking groups and accelerator programs, which have been amazing for connecting with other entrepreneurs and learning from their experiences.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to embrace collaboration. I’m not a tech expert, so I’ve relied on developers, designers, and other professionals to help bring my vision to life. By surrounding myself with strong people and new connections, I’ve been able to stay on top of the latest trends and technologies without having to become an expert in every aspect of app development.

What are some valuable lessons you've learned about teamwork and delegation, both in the context of your startup and your family?

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that you can’t do it all on your own. Whether it’s running a start-up or managing a household, teamwork and delegation are essential. In the early days of Hire & Fire Your Kids, I tried to do everything myself, from customer service to marketing to product development. It wasn’t sustainable, and it took a toll on my health and relationships.

As mentioned, I’ve since learned to delegate tasks to my team and involve my family in the business. In the context of my family, the app has taught us the importance of working together as a team. The 'Teamwork Bonus' was actually created as a suggestion from our youngest; it encourages my kids to support each other and take responsibility for their actions, which has been a game-changer for our family dynamics.

What advice would you give to other parents who are also aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those interested in the mobile app space?

My advice is to start small and be patient. You don’t have to have all the answers right away. Focus on solving a problem that you’re passionate about, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Surround yourself with a strong team, and be open to feedback and collaboration. It’s also important to prioritize self-care and set boundaries.

Running a start-up is demanding, but it’s not worth sacrificing your health or relationships. Remember why you started, and let that mission guide you through the challenges. Finally, don’t be afraid to take risks and step outside your comfort zone. Entrepreneurship is a journey, and it’s okay to make mistakes along the way. The important thing is to keep learning and growing.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Thank you for the opportunity to share my story. If there’s one thing I hope people take away from my journey, it’s that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. Life is short, and we owe it to ourselves to be brave and go after what we want. Whether it’s starting a business, improving your family dynamics, or simply taking better care of yourself, the first step is always the hardest. But once you take that leap, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.

Remember, you don’t have to do it alone. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and your vision, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. And most importantly, don’t lose sight of what really matters. At the end of the day, it’s not about the awards or the accolades; it’s about the impact you have on the people you love and the world around you.