Today, we’re shining the spotlight on a game-changer in the gluten free community — Coeliapp. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Rosie Barnes, its passionate founder, to uncover the journey, inspiration, and vision behind this app.
As you’re probably aware, the transition into gluten free living can be particularly daunting. From decoding product labels to finding a cosy café that understands your needs, every day can feel like a mission. That’s where Coeliapp steps in — the Australian based app who’s mission it is to make gluten free life more manageable. Coeliapp enables users to build a community, share tips and information, and get access to gluten free products and services. Bonus, Coeliapp is free to download from the App Store and Google Play Store.
Our chat talks about the ‘why’ behind Coeliapp and taps into the experiences and insights Rosie has gathered from her personal gluten free journey and her venture into the entrepreneurial world.
Let’s get into it!
GluteGuard: Hi Rosie! To kick things off, could you share a bit about your current role and your journey to where you are now with Coeliapp?
Rosie Barnes: I have just embarked on the journey of running my own business – Coeliapp, an app that has been created for the gluten free community. I’m the Founder and at the moment, that means I do everything! It’s been a great learning experience so far and I love interacting with the community and with other businesses around Australia – everyone in this space is so supportive and encouraging.
GG: It’s fascinating how personal experiences often lead to innovative solutions. Can you tell us what inspired you to create Coeliapp, and how your journey with a medically diagnosed gluten sensitivity plays a part in this?
RB: I was diagnosed about 4 years ago and it all started from there. I decided I didn’t want to work in a corporate role anymore and that I wanted to do something or create something that would help people. They always say it’s best to set up a business in a space you’re passionate about so I began brainstorming ideas that could support the gluten free community, because I live and breathe it every day. That’s when Coeliapp was born.
GG: Could you share some key moments, challenges, or even surprises along the way when developing Coeliapp?
RB: I think the key/most exciting moment was when Coeliapp was uploaded and ready for launch on the App Store and Google Play – it was surreal to click the release button! The challenges tend to be more in the day-to-day running of a business, juggling time and trying to do a little bit of everything.
Luckily there haven’t been too many surprises yet! I know there are often challenges when you’re working with technology but other than a couple of initial map glitches post-launch, we seem to be smooth sailing now (touch wood this continues!).
GG: Coeliapp is a valuable resource for the gluten free community, and its growth is promising. What features and real-world benefits are you particularly proud of?
RB: My main goal was to build a community that could support one another, so off the back of that, I needed to create a platform and a tool that could act as a “one-stop shop” to support everyday gluten free living.
We have a community feed where users can ask questions or share advice/products with other users, a map where users can add reviews to their favourite gluten free eateries (making it easier for others to find places to eat) and a marketplace that connects them to a variety of gluten free brands, products and services.
In terms of features, I think it’s the combination of all three elements that makes it so beneficial and makes it a promising platform to use going forward. I guess what I’m trying to say is, I’m proud of the app as a whole.
GG: Could you share some success stories from Coeliapp users?
RB: The success stories may seem small but to the gluten free community, they make a real impact! One example that comes to mind is that I just had a user contact me to say they hadn’t known there was a restaurant close to their house that had a dedicated gluten free fryer! For the rest of the population, that may seem trivial but for us, that’s rare. Being able to order uncontaminated chips is a real treat post-diagnosis. As I say, it’s the little things that make a difference.
GG: Looking ahead, what’s your vision for the future of Coeliapp? Are there any exciting plans, features, or expansions on the horizon that you’d like to share
RB: I’ve always been the kind of person that can’t sit still. So even as I was clicking the launch button on the app stores, I was already mulling over what features to add to the next versions. There are some new features we’re working on that should be released in the coming weeks and I have plans to expand on the functions to make it an even more comprehensive gluten free tool (you’ll have to watch this space to find out what’s coming next).
It’s currently available in Australia and New Zealand but it’ll be launching in the UK and Ireland next year and then we’ll start working on making it available in different languages and countries globally. Essentially, the goal is to make a globally connected gluten free community.
GG: For those who might be inspired by your journey, what three tips would you provide to individuals beginning their gluten free journey?
RB: My first tip is to be patient. It takes time to learn about all the different things you need to avoid and eliminate, and gluten can be added to so many products and foods these days. Who knew mayonnaise sometimes contains gluten? I certainly didn’t until a good few months after I was diagnosed. There’s lots of learning to do so take your time and know that you’ll get there. Coeliapp’s community has your back if you ever need support or guidance too!
My second tip is to be kind to yourself. I was only diagnosed 4 years ago but suffered symptoms for 10 years in the lead-up to that. I’m still on a journey of repairing my gut and getting my health back and there’s no point in beating myself up for not being 100% just yet. The gut is such a huge part of overall health and it’ll take some time to heal and recover, so it’s a case of one step at a time and appreciating how far you’ve come.
My third tip is don’t be shy! After I was diagnosed, I felt like I was a huge burden when eating out or going to friends’ for meals because of my dietary requirements. It took a big shift mentally to acknowledge it’s not my fault and I shouldn’t feel ashamed of it. The more people who explain to restaurants /cafes about the conditions and requirements, and the more we can educate our family and friends, the more understood it will be – making it easier for us all! Speak up and explain your circumstances!
I know you only asked for three but I had to provide one final tip! Tip number four is try to be as prepared as you can. If you’re not sure of a new restaurant, call them in advance and ask if they provide gluten free options or about their understanding of gluten sensitivity. When travelling or going to events, pack gluten free snacks just to be safe! I actually took a gluten free sandwich in my handbag to a friend’s wedding last year – it never hurts to have food on hand rather than go hungry!
Another way to prepare is to look on Coeliapp for user reviews for the places you plan to visit, and of course, pack some GluteGuard to pre-emptively help protect* you in case of being glutened!
That’s a wrap with Rosie! If you missed her Gluten Free Bites feature last week, catch up here. And if you’re curious about GluteGuard’s innovative enzyme and its role in supporting gluten free living, check out more information here. GluteGuard is readily available to Australians in over 3,500 pharmacies, and international customers can conveniently order online.
*GluteGuard helps protect those with medically diagnosed gluten sensitivity from symptoms of accidental gluten ingestion. Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
