The world has become more and more reliant on technology, such as mobile apps, to speed up processes and automate difficult tasks. In Philadelphia, a team of experienced app developers is working with senior Leah Stafford to simplify the process of international travel. Stafford became involved with the development of the company’s app during the summer before her senior year, after Dasha Hunter, her aunt and the CEO of Dash Entertainment Solutions, offered her a position in the company.
“She told me, ‘we’re going to make an app, and I know you love computer science. I think you should be my administrative assistant,’” Stafford said.
Dash Entertainment Solutions is a company that helps artists and entertainers receive visas and passports. Most of the company’s clients are large tour groups that contain at least 30 people, according to Hunter. Once it is launched, the company’s app will make the document application process simpler and faster than it currently is.
“We’re dealing with four parties that are approximately 50-120 people per artist, and we have to follow up individually with each person and ask for a new passport photo or tell them that their passport is expiring and they need to get a new one,” Hunter said. “Now, we can do all this electronically through the app. The app will update them when their passport is within six months of expiring, so we no longer have to rush to get someone a passport.”
This is not the first time Stafford has worked with Dash Entertainment Solutions. Before being brought on as an assistant to the app developers, she had previously interned at the company three years prior.
“[Stafford] interned at the company in 2022 and assisted with the applications for a few Canadian tours,” Hunter said. “She was really good and was able to complete applications quickly.”
This past summer, Stafford took a trip to Philadelphia to meet the team of developers that she would be working with in person for the first time.
“We didn’t talk a lot about business. We mostly just got to know the people that we were going to be working with because they actually are considering owning some of the [company’s] app portion,” Stafford said. “We were mostly learning who they are as people.”
Stafford hopes for the app to initially launch in December, with further updates also launching at a later date.
“It’s the initial launch before we start doing add-ons. It’s like updating your iPhone,” Stafford said.
Hunter is hoping for immigration companies across the country to begin using their app once it is completed, therefore making it easier for more artists to travel internationally. She plans to launch a subscription that will allow companies to synchronize their own services directly to the app.
“The goal is to have them lease it from us and pay a subscription fee to streamline their services,” Hunter said. “And then eventually buy out every other company that uses our app.”
However, according to Stafford, balancing her work on the app with her academics has been nothing short of a challenge. Currently, she is taking a break from her work on the app to focus on school.
“[It’s difficult,] taking on a job in general while trying to figure out college applications [and] studying for the SAT,” Stafford said. “That’s why I’m on this break, because I’m [preoccupied] with work right now.”
Despite her break, progress is still steadily moving forward on the app, and the goal of a December release is likely to be fulfilled, according to Stafford.
“[Stafford] has a personal interest in coding, app development and engineering, and the app developers needed an assistant,” Hunter said. “She’s just sharp.”
