An East Sixth Street wall mural was drawn in late 2014 by a #besomebody “passionary.”[/caption]

First a mantra, then a blog and now a smartphone app, #besomebody will evolve yet again Feb. 10 to become a nationwide mobile platform, founder Kash Shaikh announced.

Shaikh first launched the #besomebody app on a trial basis in Austin in late 2014, garnering about 11,000 downloads in the first six weeks, he said. After downloading the free app on Apples AppStore, users can identify passions and connect with passionaries who excel at interests such as photography, writing and general adventures, among other categories. Users can pay others for help to improve upon a certain skillset, allowing those #besomebody members to earn money doing what they love, Shaikh said.

When the app launches nationwide, #besomebody will allow any subject of interest to be highlighted by any interested user, Shaikh said.

"The biggest thing we learned during the beta launch is that passion is endless, and so many people wanted to become passionaries," he said. "After a short verification check, then if approved you can automatically become a passionary and create any experience you want."

In addition, users will be able to separate content by categories. The nationwide launch will also allow users to upload photos to their profiles. In subsequent updates, Shaikh said more social networking features will be added that allow users to befriend each other and share content.

"We're building a social marketplace, and theres really nothing else out there quite like it," he said.

The #besomebody movement also continues building momentum, said Shaikh, who late last year spoke at Austin-area schools to discuss his pursuit of passion. He hopes to again host #besomebody weekend in Austin this fall after lasts year inaugural event drew more than 100 attendees who enjoyed 11 different experiences throughout the city.

"It was just amazing, the energy," Shaikh said. "We really showcased the city but also brought so many people together from throughout the country that we're really excited to find people with shared values. There's nothing as contagious as bringing passionate people around you."