From Vision to Reality: The Journey of Building a Dream Solution

Have you ever had a nagging thought that the way things are done in your industry could be so much better? That’s me right now. Armed with over a decade of experience in construction, real estate, and insurance, I keep running into the same inefficiencies and missed opportunities. It feels like there has to be a better way. So, I’m building it myself.

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What I thought would be a straightforward journey is quickly turning into a humbling, eye-opening adventure that’s challenging every skill I thought I had mastered.

The Spark

It all began with frustration—frustration with fragmented processes, endless paperwork, and inefficiencies that make property and real estate management feel like an uphill battle. Over the years, I’ve seen contractors, property managers, and insurers struggle to stay on top of their responsibilities. But it’s not just them. The tenants, clients, and end-users feel the ripple effects, too. I can’t stop thinking, “What if there was one platform that brought all of this together?”

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That thought is snowballing into an idea, which is evolving into a mission. And while my experience gives me a clear vision of what this solution should look like, I’m quickly learning that vision alone isn’t enough.

The Struggle to Start

I recently delved into the world of product management and am eager to apply my newly acquired skills. But the first roadblock hits me like a freight train: the?Product Requirements Document (PRD).

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The PRD is meant to serve as a roadmap, laying out the "why," "what," and "how" of your product. But every time I sit down to write, my thoughts spiral. Am I including too much detail? Too little? How do I make sure I’m addressing real pain points and not just building what I think users want?

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Then comes the?Business Model Canvas (BMC).?A senior product manager Petra Nwaoyo generously offered guidance and suggested that I create one to clarify the solution's financial sustainability and value proposition. It’s like staring at a puzzle with missing pieces. What partnerships will I need? What will our revenue streams look like? Who are my actual users? Every answer opens the door to ten more questions.

The Importance of Research

One of the most pivotal moments in the process is recognizing the need for deep market research and user research. Another experienced product manager Ikhide Paul CPM stressed the importance of speaking to users early. Following their advice, I’m starting by analyzing the broader industry and understanding the existing solutions, their gaps, and the opportunities they present.

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From there, I’m transitioning to user research. I need to understand the real, everyday challenges of property managers, tenants, contractors, and insurers. This isn’t just about asking them what they want; it’s about uncovering their frustrations and pain points. I’m developing detailed user surveys and preparing to initiate conversations with potential users to validate my assumptions and refine the problem statement.

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This research phase is humbling. It reminds me that even with years of experience, my perspective alone isn’t enough. I’m confident that the insights I gather will shape the features of the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and clarify which problems are most urgent to solve.

Bringing AI into the Equation

Another turning point comes when I decide to leverage AI tools for prototyping. Creating a front-end prototype is daunting because I’m not a developer. But tools powered by AI are giving me the ability to visualize the platform, its user interface, workflows, and even basic interactions without writing a single line of code.

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It isn’t perfect, but it’s enough to turn ideas into something tangible. That prototype becomes my most powerful communication tool. Suddenly, instead of explaining what I want to build, I can show it.

Seeking Guidance

Despite the progress, I know I can’t do it alone. Product management is as much about collaboration as it is about execution, so I’m reaching out to senior product managers, and people who have been in the trenches.

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The insights I’m gaining from these conversations are invaluable. They’re helping me identify blind spots in my MVP, prioritize features, and better understand the trade-offs between speed and perfection.

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More than anything, their stories reassure me that the struggle to bring a vision to life isn’t unique, it’s universal.

Lessons Learned

1. Start Small, But Start Smart: The temptation to build something "perfect" from the start is strong. However, focusing on an MVP is helping me zero in on the most critical features.
2. Collaboration is Key: Whether it’s AI tools or advice from seasoned professionals, building something meaningful requires help. I’m learning to ask for it.
3. Stay User-Centric: My experience gives me a sense of the problems, but it’s speaking to actual users that clarify their needs.
4. Embrace the Struggle: Every moment of doubt and frustration is a stepping stone. If it feels hard, it’s because it’s worth doing.

Where I Am Now

The journey is far from over. The platform is still evolving, but every day it gets closer to solving the problems that inspired it. And while the road is anything but smooth, it’s turning out to be one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life.

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If you’re in the middle of building something; whether it’s a product, a business, or even just an idea; know that the struggle is part of the process. And if you ever need someone to share insights or lend an ear, I’m just a message away.

Let’s connect: What’s one challenge you’re facing as you try to bring your vision to life?

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