Best for Explorers
Idea Lab
Talk through your spark before you spend time or money.
What we look at
- What already exists
- Who needs your idea most
- Where there’s room for yours to stand out
Plain-language help for apps, websites, and platforms
Got an app idea? Let’s figure out where to start.
I help people who don’t “speak tech” understand how apps, websites, and platforms get built, one clear step at a time. No jargon. No pressure.
- Five quick questions
- No email needed to see your result
Pip: Hi! I was the guinea pig, so you don’t have to be.
Tap a word to translate it
Tech words, translated
Words you’ll hear, in plain language
Tap a word to translate it
Quiz
Where should you start?
Five quick questions. No email needed to see your result. This is a starting point, not a prediction.
Pip: Pick whatever feels closest. There are no wrong answers!
Ways to work together
Pick the help that fits where you are
Every option is one-on-one, in plain language, at your pace. Not sure which fits? The quiz will point you to one.
Founding client pricing for my first 10 clients. Prices will go up as the practice grows, and anything you’ve already paid for keeps its price.
Best for Planners and Launchers
Roadmap Call
A 60-minute conversation about your idea, with a short written summary afterward.
Not sure? Start here.
What we map out
- Which tools you’d need
- A realistic range of time and money
- What order to do things in
- Or a launch checklist: reviews, accounts, privacy pages, domains
Want it all in writing? Add a written Launch Roadmap after the call.
Book a Roadmap CallBest for Builders
AI Build Coaching
Learn to build with AI tools, with someone beside you.
What you’ll practice
- What to ask
- How to give clear instructions
- How to check the results so you don’t get stuck
By request only
I Build It For You
Rather hand it off? For some projects, I can build your app, website, or platform for you.
- Every project starts with a Roadmap Call so I can understand the size and scope.
- You get a custom quote based on scope, timeline, and your budget.
- Tools and services your project needs (hosting, app store accounts, subscriptions) are billed separately, plus a setup fee for each system I connect.
Build projects are accepted at my discretion once I know more. Not every project will be a fit, and I’ll always tell you honestly why.
Not sure which one fits? Book a Trailhead Talk, a free 20-minute chat, and we’ll figure it out together.
Hablo español, también
About
Hi, I’m Maribel.
For more than 16 years, I helped adults learn new skills through nonprofit and workforce development work. Then I started building and publishing my own apps.
Along the way, I learned a lot about what really goes into creating mobile apps, platforms, and other technology-based systems.
Today you have tools like Claude and other AI models to help you along the way. But what I needed was guidance on where to start: not just how to use the AI models, but how to find the tech stack I needed to make it happen. I didn’t even know what a “tech stack” was! (It’s the set of tools that work together to build and run your app.)
That’s why I created Jargon to Journey: the patient guide I wish I’d had, with plain language, honest answers, and a clear next step.
Based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Proud mom of Izzy and Emma, partner to Seth, and dog mom to Austin.
Guidance and education only. I don’t promise results, and I’ll always tell you when something needs a lawyer, an accountant, or another expert.
Do I need to know anything about tech first?
Not at all. Many people start brand new. I explain every step and every word in plain language, and there are no silly questions.
Can you guarantee my app gets approved or makes money?
No. Every idea is different, and I can’t guarantee approval, cost, or results. What I can do is help you understand what’s ahead so there are fewer surprises.
What happens to what I share about my idea?
It stays private. I use it only to reply to you and prepare for our time together. I’ll never ask for passwords, payment details, or ID numbers on a form.
What do I get from a Roadmap Call?
A 60-minute conversation about your idea, with a short written summary afterward.
¿Podemos hablar en español?
¡Claro que sí! Podemos tener la llamada en español.
Can you build it for me?
Sometimes. After a Roadmap Call, if your project is a good fit for my skills and schedule, I can give you a custom quote to build it for you. Outside tools and services are billed separately. I accept build projects case by case.
Are you connected to Apple, Google, or Anthropic?
No. Jargon to Journey is an independent service, not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple, Google, or Anthropic.
Say hello
Have an idea? Tell me a little.
You don’t need the right words or a finished plan. A rough idea is a great place to start.
- 1You send a few lines about your idea.
- 2I read it and reply within 2 business days.
- 3If it helps, we set up a call.