Shopden: Behind The Scenes of A Rutgers Student Startup

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As the holiday season approaches, a new mobile app is gearing up to help users navigate the
often chaotic world of budgeting and shopping. Shopden, an innovative platform developed by
Rutgers University graduate Mikael La Ferla. Combining his academic background in finance
with a desire to help others manage their personal finances, La Ferla is on the cusp of launching
a tool that not only promises to simplify budgeting, but also offers financial counseling to its
users.

The Inspiration
Mikael La Ferla’s inspiration for Shopden stems from both personal and professional experience.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and currently pursuing an MBA in
Investments & Wealth Management at Rutgers, La Ferla has an exceptional foundation in
financial management. His work as an accountant at PMC Property Group has further
highlighted the importance of financial responsibility, not only for himself but for those around
him. “When I moved out of my parents’ house, I had to be financially responsible to pay for rent,
insurance, food, and more,” he recalls. “I wanted to create a user-friendly tool that could help
anyone take control of their finances.”
La Ferla initially conceptualized Shopden as a collaborative shopping list app. However, through
extensive research and interviews, he realized the impact that an expense tracking feature could
have on users’ financial habits. “It became clear that people needed a comprehensive solution to
manage both their shopping and spending,” he explains.

The Process Of Building An App
The development of Shopden has been a year-long journey. The process began with four months
dedicated to just researching the idea through surveys and market research. Following that, La
Ferla dedicated another couple of months to designing the user interface and user experience on
Figma. The final phase involved nearly six months of coding and development in order to bring
his vision to life.
The result is a mobile app that allows users to create and share shopping lists, track expenses by
linking bank accounts or uploading receipts, and categorize spending across various categories.
“We wanted to ensure that users can manage their shopping trips and stay within budget,” La
Ferla notes.

When is It Launching?
Shopden is set to launch on December 1, strategically timed before the peak holiday shopping
season. La Ferla believes that the app’s features will help users manage their spending during

this hectic time. “The holidays can lead to overspending and miscommunication about gift lists,”
he points out. “Shopden aims to alleviate these issues by keeping users organized and on
budget.” Shopden will be available in both the Google Playstore and the App Store.

How Shopden Benefits Students
One of La Ferla’s primary goals for Shopden is to empower users, especially students, by
improving their financial literacy. He plans to focus on reaching Gen Z users who are often
navigating the financial challenges of high-interest rates, inflation, and the costs associated with
leaving college. “Our digital presence will target campuses like Rutgers and Temple, providing
essential tools for budgeting and expense tracking,” he shares.
La Ferla also emphasizes the app’s overall accessibility. “Shopden is designed for everyone,
even those who may feel overwhelmed by financial planning,” he explains. He offers free
financial consultations to help users with budgeting, saving, and credit building. He even offers
financial consulting.

Marketing Strategy
To effectively promote Shopden, the team has devised a multi-faceted marketing strategy that
includes social media campaigns, search engine optimization, and targeted email marketing. By
leveraging various platforms, they aim to engage potential users and encourage downloads ahead
of the holiday rush.
La Ferla envisions expanding Shopden’s reach to other campuses and enhancing its features
based on user feedback. “Our ultimate goal is to create a community of users who feel confident
in managing their finances,” he asserts.
With a focus on helping individuals, particularly students, take control of their financial futures,
La Ferla’s app promises to be a valuable resource in today’s challenging economic climate.
Interested users can visit the Shopden website to learn more and sign up for updates as the
December launch approaches.