What inspired the creation of the UITAMA app?
The UITAMA story began when a woman passionate about hiking became a mother.
Like all new parents, I also learned how much more preparation and planning an outdoor adventure with a child requires. When exploring nature alone or with a partner, I never had to consider how travel times to the trailhead might impact my child's daily sleep routine or whether the trail could be navigated with a stroller. Even when my child was already walking, I had to consider if the chosen route was suitable for them and if there were exciting activities at the destination to keep everyone's spirits high. Experience taught me that thorough preparation is always half (if not three-quarters) of the victory!
How to make parents' lives easier?
However, choosing a suitable hiking trail while considering all these aspects can be a time-consuming process, and navigating through the maze of various information sources is not a magical feat either. I often found myself thinking that all of this could be much simpler!
So, in late 2021, a crazy idea came to my mind: to start creating a web platform and app that would make the time-consuming part of planning outdoor trips the simplest and quickest on Earth, inspiring other parents to venture further from home with their little ones.
While exploring hiking trails with my son, I began noting child-friendly accessibility and suitability, highlighting opportunities for exciting activities in nature, and assessing visited restaurants or accommodation providers from a parent's perspective. Alongside this, I completed UX Estonia's user experience training and crafted a prototype. With only a software developer missing, luck was on my side, as my husband boasts over 15 years of experience in software development.
Throughout 2022, my 4-year-old son and I ventured along a total of 50 diverse hiking trails in Estonia. By year-end, he confidently covered distances of up to 8 km on his own two feet. This serves as a true testament to the fact that regular outdoor exploration builds physical resilience, even when the journey seems daunting at the beginning. Yet, ultimately, it's not about how far or by whom the paths are traveled. What truly matters are the shared memories and the bonds formed among family members along those trails.
Happy wandering to everyone!
Who is Karolin, the founder of UITAMA?
As far back as I can remember, I have always loved art and exploring new places. It's probably not surprising then that I earned my bachelor's degree in painting from the Estonian Academy of Arts , and my first job landed me in a tourism bureau.
Later on, life brought me back to the art field, where over the years, I played roles as an artist, curator, and art teacher. Eventually, I dedicated myself to project management for international exhibitions at one of Estonia's renowned contemporary art institutions.
Throughout all of this, I have always adored hiking in nature, and four years ago, becoming a mother turned wandering those trails into the best equilibrium the birthplace of the most special moments amid the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
For me, nature is the ultimate source of creativity, and what could be more delightful than exploring it together with your loved ones.
