Product Strategy for Entrepreneurs and Startups

Launch a new product from scratch or implement innovative processes to spur new growth in your business.

If you’re stuck and need some fresh thinking, or if you’ve got an MVP you need to get off the ground, let’s talk.

Contact Me

Experience & Expertise

I’ve been building websites since 1994.

I used Photoshop 3.0 on a Macintosh Quadra 650 and wrote code in BBEdit for Netscape Navigator.

The point is: I’ve been doing this for a while and I’ve had enough successes (executive member of an eight-figure acquisition) and made plenty of mistakes to have learned a thing or two about building successful businesses online.

Let's Work Together

Product Strategy

Knowing how to build something is easy compared to knowing what to build. The customer-centric (Jobs to Be Done) approach my team uses will ensure you won’t waste time chasing bad ideas.

Training & Workshops

Want to go deeper with your strategy and product design processes? I’ll lead you and your team through a multi-day workshop to understand the concept of disruption, innovation, and how those concepts inform product strategy. 

Customer Interviews

The insights you’re looking for are waiting to be discovered in your customers’ voices. My team and I can help you identify exactly what your customers want you to create.

Development & Design

Developing your idea is an investment in your business, and I understand that completely. I can help design and deliver an application that will help your business grow more efficiently or open brand new channels of revenue.

Recent Posts

Jobs to Be Done Examples

Jobs to Be Done Examples

Jobs to Be Done

If you're trying to integrate Jobs to Be Done into your design process, you've probably found yourself looking for some examples of Jobs to Be Done statements. After all, there are several camps out there pushing this thing and it can be a little super confusing to...

Start Over with Simplicity or Reduce Complexity?

Lean Startups, Product

I was having a conversation with a client recently and they'd more or less come to the conclusion that they needed to do a hard reset on the company and rebuild their application. Not an easy decision to reach. Painful on multiple dimensions. I've been in this very...

Save Time, Save Money, Make Money, Make Happy

Product

My friend, Andy, wrote those eight words on a whiteboard almost two years ago and they've found their place in my head like a well-written poem ever since. Those are the four basic reasons someone will start using your thing. Your product or service has to...

A Partner You Can Trust

It’s hard to find reliable help these days, that’s why sometimes it feels easier to just do things yourself.

But, you’re probably not going to teach yourself Ruby on Rails and continue spinning plates.

I can help. I’m also an entrepreneur and I grew up watching my mom and dad grow their business from a desk in the kitchen, to the garage, to a new office building in my hometown.

I get it. I’m in the middle of it growing this consultancy. It’s not about the tech, it’s about the business behind the tech and I understand both.

Let's Work Together

Jeff Hughes

“Brian is a true visionary with a passion for excellence, knowing and communicating current and cutting edge technology and driving exceptional business results for clients. His exuberance and passion for creating and collaobrating with corporate partners is outstanding!”

CEO at The Huestudio

2018-11-02T20:54:16+00:00
“Brian is a true visionary with a passion for excellence, knowing and communicating current and cutting edge technology and driving exceptional business results for clients. His exuberance and passion for creating and collaobrating with corporate partners is outstanding!” CEO at The Huestudio

Julie Ayala

“Brian is an innovative thinker and creative genius. He also has a high level of integrity and it was always a pleasure to work with Brian on projects.”

Program Manager
Co-worker at TMC

2018-11-02T20:39:25+00:00
“Brian is an innovative thinker and creative genius. He also has a high level of integrity and it was always a pleasure to work with Brian on projects.” Program Manager Co-worker at TMC

Jeff Stephens

“Brian is the master of taking a fresh idea, distilling it to its core, and packaging it perfectly for users. The sense of empowerment and raw creativity he creates is something I’ll be searching for the rest of my career.”

Software Engineer
Co-worker at Mocavo
2018-11-02T20:36:29+00:00
“Brian is the master of taking a fresh idea, distilling it to its core, and packaging it perfectly for users. The sense of empowerment and raw creativity he creates is something I’ll be searching for the rest of my career.” Software Engineer Co-worker at Mocavo

Mark Stone

“I have used Brian for several projects and have always been impressed by the quality of work, the personal relationship he fosters, the value, punctuality and creativity he brings to every project. In a nutshell, if you are looking for quality work at good value with on-time deliverables, hire Brian!”


Owner at The Info Group
Client at Freelance
2018-11-02T20:56:57+00:00
“I have used Brian for several projects and have always been impressed by the quality of work, the personal relationship he fosters, the value, punctuality and creativity he brings to every project. In a nutshell, if you are looking for quality work at good value with on-time deliverables, hire Brian!” Owner at The Info Group Client at Freelance

Jennifer Lefforge

“Brian is a hard worker, committed to whatever he finds himself engaged with and very easy to work with. He encourages others and always leads with a cheerful heart and a great attitude.”

Sales & Merchandising at The Container Store

2018-11-02T20:50:59+00:00
“Brian is a hard worker, committed to whatever he finds himself engaged with and very easy to work with. He encourages others and always leads with a cheerful heart and a great attitude.” Sales & Merchandising at The Container Store

Brett Wagner

“I was fortunate enough to work side by side with Brian for a number of years on a wide variety of projects. His skills and ability to innovate on the fly repeatedly pushed our projects farther than I thought was possible.”

Partner at Emerson Stone
2018-11-02T20:55:54+00:00
“I was fortunate enough to work side by side with Brian for a number of years on a wide variety of projects. His skills and ability to innovate on the fly repeatedly pushed our projects farther than I thought was possible.” Partner at Emerson Stone

Ryan Hunter

“Brian is the most gifted UX expert with whom I have had the opportunity to work. He brings a deep and intuitive appreciation for the outcomes that a user is trying to achieve. Brian’s methodical and thoughtful approach to developing applications is rare and incredibly valuable.”

Chief Operating Officer at GCH – Willie's Reserve

2018-11-02T20:59:23+00:00
“Brian is the most gifted UX expert with whom I have had the opportunity to work. He brings a deep and intuitive appreciation for the outcomes that a user is trying to achieve. Brian’s methodical and thoughtful approach to developing applications is rare and incredibly valuable.” Chief Operating Officer at GCH – Willie's Reserve

Brian Dodds

“Brian is one of the most creative thinkers and doers that I know. His ability to generate a concept and then follow through with the execution is admirable. My experience was that when Brian was on a project that I could trust in the quality and delivery of his participation”

VP Channel Sales
Co-worker at TMC
2018-11-02T18:51:34+00:00
“Brian is one of the most creative thinkers and doers that I know. His ability to generate a concept and then follow through with the execution is admirable. My experience was that when Brian was on a project that I could trust in the quality and delivery of his participation” VP Channel Sales Co-worker at TMC

Shailen Singh

“In my experience Brian is about as caring, professional, and as driven of an individual as I've ever met. I can assure anyone considering working with Brian that they will be incredibly pleased with both the process and the outcome of his work.”


Director at Texas A&M University
2018-11-02T20:52:34+00:00
“In my experience Brian is about as caring, professional, and as driven of an individual as I've ever met. I can assure anyone considering working with Brian that they will be incredibly pleased with both the process and the outcome of his work.” Director at Texas A&M University

Kathleen Thompson

“Brian is creative and clever and that's a must-have combination in the design world. Brian excels in outstanding deliverables and is a great communicator during the process. His enthusiasm is sincere and it shows.”

PR & Social Media
Collaborator at Freelance
2018-11-02T18:25:04+00:00
“Brian is creative and clever and that's a must-have combination in the design world. Brian excels in outstanding deliverables and is a great communicator during the process. His enthusiasm is sincere and it shows.” PR & Social Media Collaborator at Freelance

Andy Stone

“Brian is a genius and should be charging $800 an hour for the thoughtfulness and creative leadership he brings to a team. If you can get him for anything less than that [Ed. Note: you can], hire him immediately.”

Partner at Emerson Stone
Co-worker at Mocavo

2018-11-02T20:49:25+00:00
“Brian is a genius and should be charging $800 an hour for the thoughtfulness and creative leadership he brings to a team. If you can get him for anything less than that [Ed. Note: you can], hire him immediately.” Partner at Emerson Stone Co-worker at Mocavo

Growth Strategy

Disrupt or Be Disrupted

Growth is never easy: whether your existing business model is being disrupted by new technology or if you’re trying to get traction with a brand new idea.

I believe it’s impossible to eliminate risk entirely or to guarantee success (run away from anyone who makes that claim), but there are design methods you can implement to gain insight into what your market is looking for and how you can design a product to meet those unmet needs.

Learn more through my Jobs to Be Done course.

Training & Workshops

Onsite sessions designed to take your team’s design process to the next level 

In these fast-paced, fun, hands-on sessions, I’ll lead you and your team through a methodology that will change the way you think about product design.

I draw on my experience as a developer, product thinker, teacher, speaker, and entrepreneur to deliver content that resonates. 

Schedule a workshop for your team.

Design & Development

Web applications, Custom WordPress development, React Native iOS and Android apps

If what you need at the end of the day is some honest to goodness technology, let’s get that built for you.

I work with a team of skilled designers, developers, and project managers to bring new ideas to life. As a developer myself, I’m able to oversee the development process and ensure a quality product at every step along the way.

Tell me about your idea and let’s get it built.

FAQ

You might have some questions about how I work before we get started.

These are the most common questions my new clients bring to me early on. If you’re still unclear about how we might work together, please reach out and I’ll look forward to hearing from you.

Contact Me

Wait. Design, Development, and Strategy? That's a lot for just one person.

It is. But I’ve been doing this for a long time and have years under my belt as a designer, full-stack developer, and now, as a product strategist.

I no longer do the design & development myself and my background as a developer provides senior oversight and a quality product.

Can you travel to us for a kick-off / workshop?

Yes. Working remotely from anywhere I choose is a dream come true. But, sometimes there’s no replacement for face-to-face collaboration. I’m more than happy to come to you for a few days as my schedule allows.

How soon can you start?

It will depend on what’s currently on my calendar, but on average I’m booked out a month or two in advance. The sooner you get in touch and start the conversation, the more likely we’ll be able to plan for your project to get spun up.

Will we be working with only you?

Depending on the scope of your project, I may choose to bring in a team of designers, developers, and PMs I trust to ensure that your project runs smoothly and results in the quality we both expect.

Are you interested in a full-time contract / position?

Truly, I’m flattered, but no thank you. I operate this business in a way that delivers step-change results for my clients while maintaining flexibility for myself and my family.

What do you charge?

It will depend on the scope of your project and if you’re interested in a retainer for strategy, a workshop, or development. But generally, if your budget is under $20,000 then we probably aren’t a good fit.

Jeff Hughes

“Brian is a true visionary with a passion for excellence, knowing and communicating current and cutting edge technology and driving exceptional business results for clients. His exuberance and passion for creating and collaobrating with corporate partners is outstanding!”

CEO at The Huestudio

2018-11-02T20:54:16+00:00
“Brian is a true visionary with a passion for excellence, knowing and communicating current and cutting edge technology and driving exceptional business results for clients. His exuberance and passion for creating and collaobrating with corporate partners is outstanding!” CEO at The Huestudio

Brett Wagner

“I was fortunate enough to work side by side with Brian for a number of years on a wide variety of projects. His skills and ability to innovate on the fly repeatedly pushed our projects farther than I thought was possible.”

Partner at Emerson Stone
2018-11-02T20:55:54+00:00
“I was fortunate enough to work side by side with Brian for a number of years on a wide variety of projects. His skills and ability to innovate on the fly repeatedly pushed our projects farther than I thought was possible.” Partner at Emerson Stone

Jeff Stephens

“Brian is the master of taking a fresh idea, distilling it to its core, and packaging it perfectly for users. The sense of empowerment and raw creativity he creates is something I’ll be searching for the rest of my career.”

Software Engineer
Co-worker at Mocavo
2018-11-02T20:36:29+00:00
“Brian is the master of taking a fresh idea, distilling it to its core, and packaging it perfectly for users. The sense of empowerment and raw creativity he creates is something I’ll be searching for the rest of my career.” Software Engineer Co-worker at Mocavo

Ryan Hunter

“Brian is the most gifted UX expert with whom I have had the opportunity to work. He brings a deep and intuitive appreciation for the outcomes that a user is trying to achieve. Brian’s methodical and thoughtful approach to developing applications is rare and incredibly valuable.”

Chief Operating Officer at GCH – Willie's Reserve

2018-11-02T20:59:23+00:00
“Brian is the most gifted UX expert with whom I have had the opportunity to work. He brings a deep and intuitive appreciation for the outcomes that a user is trying to achieve. Brian’s methodical and thoughtful approach to developing applications is rare and incredibly valuable.” Chief Operating Officer at GCH – Willie's Reserve

Jennifer Lefforge

“Brian is a hard worker, committed to whatever he finds himself engaged with and very easy to work with. He encourages others and always leads with a cheerful heart and a great attitude.”

Sales & Merchandising at The Container Store

2018-11-02T20:50:59+00:00
“Brian is a hard worker, committed to whatever he finds himself engaged with and very easy to work with. He encourages others and always leads with a cheerful heart and a great attitude.” Sales & Merchandising at The Container Store

Mark Stone

“I have used Brian for several projects and have always been impressed by the quality of work, the personal relationship he fosters, the value, punctuality and creativity he brings to every project. In a nutshell, if you are looking for quality work at good value with on-time deliverables, hire Brian!”


Owner at The Info Group
Client at Freelance
2018-11-02T20:56:57+00:00
“I have used Brian for several projects and have always been impressed by the quality of work, the personal relationship he fosters, the value, punctuality and creativity he brings to every project. In a nutshell, if you are looking for quality work at good value with on-time deliverables, hire Brian!” Owner at The Info Group Client at Freelance

Andy Stone

“Brian is a genius and should be charging $800 an hour for the thoughtfulness and creative leadership he brings to a team. If you can get him for anything less than that [Ed. Note: you can], hire him immediately.”

Partner at Emerson Stone
Co-worker at Mocavo

2018-11-02T20:49:25+00:00
“Brian is a genius and should be charging $800 an hour for the thoughtfulness and creative leadership he brings to a team. If you can get him for anything less than that [Ed. Note: you can], hire him immediately.” Partner at Emerson Stone Co-worker at Mocavo

Shailen Singh

“In my experience Brian is about as caring, professional, and as driven of an individual as I've ever met. I can assure anyone considering working with Brian that they will be incredibly pleased with both the process and the outcome of his work.”


Director at Texas A&M University
2018-11-02T20:52:34+00:00
“In my experience Brian is about as caring, professional, and as driven of an individual as I've ever met. I can assure anyone considering working with Brian that they will be incredibly pleased with both the process and the outcome of his work.” Director at Texas A&M University

Brian Dodds

“Brian is one of the most creative thinkers and doers that I know. His ability to generate a concept and then follow through with the execution is admirable. My experience was that when Brian was on a project that I could trust in the quality and delivery of his participation”

VP Channel Sales
Co-worker at TMC
2018-11-02T18:51:34+00:00
“Brian is one of the most creative thinkers and doers that I know. His ability to generate a concept and then follow through with the execution is admirable. My experience was that when Brian was on a project that I could trust in the quality and delivery of his participation” VP Channel Sales Co-worker at TMC

Kathleen Thompson

“Brian is creative and clever and that's a must-have combination in the design world. Brian excels in outstanding deliverables and is a great communicator during the process. His enthusiasm is sincere and it shows.”

PR & Social Media
Collaborator at Freelance
2018-11-02T18:25:04+00:00
“Brian is creative and clever and that's a must-have combination in the design world. Brian excels in outstanding deliverables and is a great communicator during the process. His enthusiasm is sincere and it shows.” PR & Social Media Collaborator at Freelance

Julie Ayala

“Brian is an innovative thinker and creative genius. He also has a high level of integrity and it was always a pleasure to work with Brian on projects.”

Program Manager
Co-worker at TMC

2018-11-02T20:39:25+00:00
“Brian is an innovative thinker and creative genius. He also has a high level of integrity and it was always a pleasure to work with Brian on projects.” Program Manager Co-worker at TMC

Ready to get started?

Get in touch and let’s grow your business together.

Contact Me