Grady's app makes her new IT girl
G *rady Wulff *has made a name for herself as one of the rising stars of the *Perth * modelling industry but off the catwalk she has been keeping a very big secret.
The 20-year-old has spent the past two years quietly working on a revolutionary new app that aims to change the way people shop and help them save money at the same time.
Co-founded by Wulff's IT whiz father *Scott *, the PocketBargains app functions like a virtual discount book to offer shoppers special rates on anything from clothing to food, beauty treatments and even services such as plumbing or mechanics.
"It's all about bringing shopping back in store," Wulff told _AAA _.
"I am so sick of seeing retailers close their doors . . . because they just can't compete with online domination. We are all for supporting bricks and mortar stores and the response from retailers has been good."
Wulff first came up with the idea when she was in a university test and never imagined the app would gain so much traction. The company already has a small team in Perth, a chief executive in Sydney and a representative in London.
The commerce student, who is signed as a model with Chadwick's Perth, said she took her friends by surprise when she recently went public with PocketBargains.
"A lot of my friends were like 'You sneaky devil, how did you hide this from us'," she said. "I didn't want anyone to find out because I wanted to protect my ideas. I wanted to prove the point models do actually have brains. It has shocked a lot of people."
Barely a month after its launch, Wulff said the app was already gaining interest in the US because it stood apart from other discount sites in the way users could personalise the settings. Retailers also have access to a concierge service that helps them set up their bargains and get recommendations from the team on what would sell the best.
And Wulff has not stopped there, having dreamt up an idea for yet another app earlier this year.
"I can't really switch off my creative mindset - I feel like I am always thinking about apps," the brainy beauty grinned.
"But I definitely see myself with PocketBargains in the long-term future as it is kind of my baby.
"It really cements my relationship with my dad and how close we are.
"It has been great to work with him."
JESSIE PAPAIN
'I can't really switch off my creative mindset - I feel like I am always thinking about apps.'
