31 + Failed Attempts Applying to the Apple Store - Why we are ACTUALLY Different then others!
We finally made it into ALL the App Stores!
31 + Failed Attempts Applying to the Apple Store
This is the App summary that helped us finally get through, an explanation of why Start With Me is a Unique Dating Platform.
App Summary
Start With Me is a mental health-oriented, not a service for treatment, but an emotionally driven dating platform that combines emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and real-world connection. It's not just another dating app—it’s a redesigned experience built to raise the quality of connection from the inside out.
It stands out in four key ways:
Users must complete a self-discovery journey before matching with others
Profiles can be searched using real words—not just filters
In-person event matching is built directly into the app
Profiles are hidden from the dating pool by default—users choose when and how they’re seen
Everyone in the dating pool has gone through the same process—so there’s a shared baseline of information, definitions, and understanding to start from. That’s what raises the standard across the dating pool itself.
Demo Video: Full App Walkthrough - Doesn’t include New Event Tab: https://youtube.com/shorts/-HgD9X4YWJs?feature=share
1. Required Self-Discovery Journey
Before users can match with others in the dating pool or after an event, they must complete a short, guided self-discovery journey. This process is integrated into profile creation and provides a basic framework for how users show up in relationships.
The journey includes:
Emotional Intelligence — reinforces that emotional awareness is a measurable and learnable skill
Attachment Style — helps users understand how they connect emotionally in relationships
Personality Type — reveals how they process information and make decisions
Love Language — clarifies what makes them feel loved and how they express care
By making the self-discovery journey a requirement, we filter out users who aren’t willing to spend time understanding themselves. What’s left is a dating pool where everyone has already taken the time to understand themselves better—and that’s what raises the standard.
Users also have access to a curated directory of dating coaches and therapists for further support.
With people concentrating on understanding themselves, they are inadvertently learning about others. Win & Win!
Notes for Testing: We have completed the personal Journey, leaving only The Attachment Style Field left blank so your user will be blocked from entering he dating pool until your journey is complete. On the attachment style step, select a value that is not blank and you can then access the dating pool to begin matching with individuals in the dating pool or match with other event attendees. Also to note, we have removed all previous matching interactions (Leaving only Yes or No’s).
Demo Video: Full App Walkthrough - Starts With a Walkthrough of the Self-discovery Journey: https://youtube.com/shorts/-HgD9X4YWJs?feature=share
2. Searchable Dating Profiles
Users can make their profile public before completing the journey—but they can’t match with anyone until they’ve completed the self-discovery journey.
Once completed and marked public, users can search others using real, open-ended language:
Type any word or phrase—values, traits, interests, identities, or emotional needs
Search works across public profile content and private hidden fields
Basic filters like age, gender, and location are available, but optional
Hidden fields are parts of a profile that aren't publicly displayed—like personal identifiers, psychological results, or sensitive self-descriptions. These fields are included in search results, allowing for deeper compatibility without requiring users to overshare upfront—for example, disclosing a medical condition or a professional career like being an OnlyFans entrepreneur.
Demo Video: Searching the Dating Pool for Buffy the Vampire Slayer Fans, what you don’t see is the information is written in the hidden field on the users profile and isn’t displayed publicly on the users profile: https://youtube.com/shorts/8XJN76UdCZE
3. In-Person Event Matching
Singles events are fully built into the app.
Users browse and apply to events through the Events tab
If approved, they pay and receive event details
Hosts can activate event matching at any time
After matching is activated, users go to Dating Pool → Events, select their event, and view other attendees
Key detail:
Users can attend events before completing the self-discovery journey
But they must complete the self-discovery journey before they can match with other attendees
Users can use their profile just for events, just for the dating pool, or both. Matching can happen without ever appearing in the public dating pool—giving users full control over how they connect.
Notes for Testing: Since Apple only test in production, we are adding the Apple user to a previous run event so that the apple user can see how event matching works, the code to add the event to your testing user is: Event ID: <secret code>
Copy and Paste this id into the add event section on the dating pool, your user will be confirmed for attending the event and the event will get added to your profile. Please do not click yes for matching with Users who have actually attended the event.
Demo Video: User attends a single event and adds it to their profile and immediately starts Matching with other attendees: https://youtube.com/shorts/NSxYTZMaHIE
4. Layered Profile Design (Real Dating Psychology)
Start With Me reflects how people naturally connect.
Profiles are shown in two layers:
First: name, age, profile photo, and short intro
Second: tap to view full profile with deeper responses and insights
This mirrors real-world connection: You notice someone. You get curious. Then you decide whether you want to go deeper.
It balances attraction and emotional depth—without sacrificing clarity or creating overwhelm.
Testing Notes
The self-discovery journey must be completed before any matching is possible (including from events)
Users can attend events without completing the journey
Profiles are hidden by default and must be marked Public to appear in dating pool search
Hidden fields are searchable but never shown
Event hosts manually activate matching
Test accounts and sample profiles are available upon request