Maggie Bolger is an entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience building businesses, from running nurseries and clubs to shaping tech solutions. Her journey into the world of business support was born out of frustration with traditional methods, leading her to experiment with software solutions and innovate for better efficiency. With a knack for turning complex challenges into simple, actionable solutions, Maggie has helped businesses scale, launch bold ideas, and navigate growth. She’s now the founder of The CFD, a consultancy built for action. The CFD is all about execution, not just advice. We tackle challenges head-on, deliver fast results, and work alongside businesses to bring strategy to life with real-world impact.
Let’s be honest—in this day and age, tech is becoming overwhelming. With new solutions stalking us daily, promising to streamline our lives, we’ve all been there: trying to find that one software that will save us time, only to end up buried under clunky tools that don’t fit our business at all. I know the feeling—my journey started in the same frustrating place.
Twenty years ago, I began building and running family clubs and nurseries, dealing with the chaos of scaling while trying to make things more efficient. Back then, digital solutions were in their infancy: Excel spreadsheets everywhere, systems that didn’t talk to each other, and an ever-growing tech stack that became more of a tech headache than a help.
In an endless drive for efficiency and accurate data, my team and I rolled up our sleeves and started experimenting. We tried CRMs, management software—everything. Most of it was clunky, unintuitive, and just didn’t work for us. So, some of us taught ourselves how to code and started creating our own solutions. I wasn’t fascinated by tech for tech’s sake; I just wanted to make life easier for my team.
Now, two decades later, the tech world is massive—but the frustration is still there. On one end of the spectrum, there’s too much choice; on the other, not enough quality. The businesses I’m working with today are desperate for solutions that are simple and work for their unique needs. Bespoke tech is becoming an increasingly accessible answer, especially with advancements in low-code/no-code platforms and AI-assisted development.
The Problem: “Coming Soon” Features and Software Overload
Lately, I’ve seen an explosion of SaaS MVP software flooding the market. It’s cheap, it’s fast, and it promises “coming soon” features. But here’s the truth: businesses don’t have the luxury to beta-test someone else’s idea. The cost of integrating new software, only to find it causes more issues than it solves, is staggering. You feel stuck with it, building APIs and workarounds just to make it functional. It’s a common problem I encounter time and time again.
We need something that works right out of the box. Take, for example, a conversation I had with a venture capitalist about software for streamlining Ofsted inspections for nurseries.
They wanted to launch a cheap MVP, get early adopters, and grow from there. I told them: nurseries don’t have time for that. They need something well-researched, credible, and reliable from day one. Let’s just say we agreed to disagree!
Then there’s the tech stack overload—multiple systems, endless logins, never-ending integrations. Even after all the customizations, the system still often doesn’t do what you need it to. It’s exhausting.
The Solution: Bespoke Tech That Actually Fits
Here’s where bespoke tech comes in. Unlike off-the-shelf solutions that often require endless customization, bespoke tech is built specifically for your business. It’s not just about fixing today’s problems—it’s about designing for the business processes of tomorrow. This approach anticipates growth and future needs, ensuring the system evolves alongside your business.
Thanks to low-code/no-code platforms and AI-driven tools, building custom solutions is more accessible than ever. These advancements mean you can move faster, focus on creativity, and solve real business pain points—like speed, manual tasks, and inefficiencies—without requiring a massive budget.
The key to making custom software work is balancing quick wins with long-term strategy. Quick wins build momentum and get buy-in from the team, while a bigger plan ensures the system continues to meet evolving needs. And don’t forget: your tech-weary team is the key to an efficient system. Their adoption and input are critical.
Why Custom-Built Software Is the Smart Choice
You might be thinking, “Custom software sounds expensive and complicated.” But with advancements in tech, bespoke solutions are now more affordable and accessible than ever. For growing businesses, custom-built software can save you time, money, and frustration.
It’s not for everyone—startups often need off-the-shelf tools to get started—but if you’re scaling fast or managing a multi-site business, custom software can make a huge difference. Off-the-shelf tools just can’t keep up with the unique needs of scaling businesses.
Tip #1: Map Out Stakeholders, Processes, and Pain Points
Before diving into custom tech, take a deep dive into your business. Map out your stakeholders, processes, and, most importantly, the pain points—things like inefficiencies, manual tasks, or slow systems. Focus on fixing these pain points first, as they’re often where the most significant gains in efficiency and productivity lie. And instead of building a system for today’s processes, plan for the business processes of tomorrow. This forward-thinking approach ensures your solution remains relevant as you grow.
Quick Fact: Research from Gartner shows that 56% of large organizations are increasing their investment in custom-built software to meet their specific needs. And for good reason—off-the-shelf solutions just can’t keep up with the unique needs of businesses that are scaling.
Tip #2: Prioritize and Build Incrementally
Once you’ve mapped everything out, it’s time to prioritize. Start with your most urgent needs, like CRM, HR processes, or compliance, and build from there. Don’t try to do everything at once—take it step-by-step. Incremental development saves you money in the long run and ensures your solution is tailored to your needs.
Pro Tip: Research from McKinsey shows that businesses that take an incremental approach to bespoke software development save money in the long run and end up with solutions that are more tailored to their needs.
Tip #3: Leverage Creativity and AI to Build Smarter
Now is the time for creatives. With AI tools like OpenAI’s Codex and GitHub Copilot, you can think of an idea and use AI to assist in building it. These tools make it easier than ever to bring creative solutions to life, even if you’re not a tech expert. Combine this with low-code/no-code platforms, and you have the power to design and deploy systems faster, with fewer resources.
Tip #4: Make Training a Priority
You’ve got your custom-built system—now it’s time to train your team. But don’t just give them a manual and hope for the best. Invest in solid, on-demand training videos (tools like Loom are fantastic for this). And remember, keep it simple: one login, one interface, one system. Simplify everything so your team can hit the ground running.
The key here is user adoption. If your team can easily learn and use the system, it’ll be a game-changer for efficiency.
The Future of Tech: Why Bespoke Is the Way Forward
So why is bespoke tech more relevant now than ever? With AI tools and low-code/no-code platforms, building custom software is becoming more affordable. For growing businesses, it’s a smart investment.
The takeaway? Custom software isn’t out of reach anymore. If your business is scaling quickly, bespoke solutions can save time and give you a clear path to growth. The possibilities are growing every day as AI continues to reshape how software is developed.
It’s no longer about chasing the latest tech trend. It’s about finding what works for you and building something that fits your business—not forcing your business to fit a generic solution.
So, if you’re tired of juggling multiple systems and playing tech roulette with “coming soon” features, it might just be time to consider building something that works for your business from day one.