FarmLink Reflection

Working on the FarmLink challenge was a defining experience in applying design and systems thinking to a real-world problem. I contributed to research, product strategy, and technical planning, examining what truly made FarmLink different from larger delivery competitors. Preparing for the pitch pushed me to think beyond ideas and into execution, showing how critical a strong technical foundation is to making any strategy work. The judges’ feedback was eye-opening: our solution tried to solve too much at once instead of validating one core need. That moment reshaped my understanding of product-market fit, it’s not about building everything at once, but about focusing on the single most important problem and proving it matters. Through user interviews and feedback, I learned how to uncover what customers actually need, not just what they say they want, and how every design choice connects to the larger food system and its real-world constraints.