Why I’m Rebuilding My Product From Scratch (And Taking You Along)

In the fast-paced world of tech startups, even a promising idea can stumble when it meets the reality of market demands. I learned this first-hand after a recent product demo that left me optimistic. Standing before stakeholders at the Digital Product School program, I felt accomplished. The prototype of my product, Hisab, was met with nods of approval, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. However, when I transitioned from the excitement of showcasing my work to considering how to bring it to market, reality set in fast: I was building blind.

One month post-presentation, I found myself reflecting on the core issues at hand. The prototype looked sleek, and the demo felt comprehensive, but deep down, I knew something was missing. As I began to analyze the target audience and their needs, I came to a painful realization—the product lacked a solid foundation. There was no real user research to back my approach, no validated problem statement to define the purpose of Hisab. Instead, I had relied on a series of assumptions that, while appearing plausible at the outset, didn’t hold water in the real world.

This led to a pivotal decision: I am not only redefining my product; I am rebuilding it from the ground up, employing established product methodology and bringing the design process into alignment with actual user needs. By committing to real user research and validated problems, I aim to create a solution that resonates deeply with its intended audience.

What makes this series of me building Hisab journey particularly meaningful is my intention to build alongside the community of Ethiopian freelancers. Rather than working in isolation and guessing what the challenges might be, I plan to engage directly with them.

So, what can you expect from this journey?

• User Research Methodology in Action: I will share the techniques and approaches I employ to gather meaningful feedback from potential users. This transparency aims to demystify the user research process and highlight its importance in shaping product decisions.
• Validating Real Problems vs. Assumptions: I’ll take you through the process of distinguishing actual user pain points from mere assumptions, ensuring that Hisab is built to solve real-world issues.
• Strategy Development Before Any Design: You’ll witness the strategic planning that occurs behind the scenes, laying a robust groundwork before any design elements come into play.
• Community Feedback Shaping Decisions: Your input is vital. By leveraging feedback from the Ethiopian freelancer community, we can tailor this product more effectively.

I am reaching out to you, the freelancers: What is your biggest challenge in managing finances as a freelancer? Your insights are invaluable, and I genuinely want to incorporate them into my research.

Let's work together to build a product that truly matters—a solution that not only empowers freelancers in Ethiopia but serves as a beacon of innovation for emerging markets everywhere. Join me on this journey, and let’s create something remarkable, together.