Project Reflections

Working on this project was really fun and stimulating! It was rewarding to see the full circle of this endeavor, as we spent multiple weeks on it and iterated over the project several times.

HomeSquare operates in the housing market, a sector I initially knew nothing about, so it was great to learn more. From a business perspective, I learned about competitors like Zillow and Redfin, and identified additional competitors from real-life experiences, such as Honey Homes. Based on our market analysis, we redirected the company into a niche addressing a significant pain point, which could give this hypothetical company a truly viable future. We decided to shift from being a direct marketplace, facilitating transactions, to a maintenance service provider that reduces friction between landlords, tenants, and maintenance providers, fostering trust in renting. We recognized a real need for this after experiencing uncertainty about maintenance quality in new apartments. This opportunity to ideate and think from a business and product perspective was incredibly interesting and engaged a different part of my brain compared to normal schoolwork.

From a team perspective, this was one of the first projects at Stanford where I worked with the same people for more than a week. While it was challenging to find times when everyone was free and adapt to different schedules due to midterms, we gradually developed a good rhythm regarding which areas each person focused on. This collaboration taught us the importance of flexibility and communication in achieving our goals. Presenting to the class and professional PMs was stressful but also intriguing, as we heard their questions at the end. Some issues we had anticipated and knew how to address, but others we hadn’t considered. This feedback was invaluable in refining our approach and thinking critically about our decisions.

Overall, this project was a great deep dive into developing a product in a sector where we had no prior experience. It challenged us to think creatively and strategically, enhancing our understanding of both the market and the dynamics of effective teamwork. The experience not only expanded my knowledge but also strengthened my ability to adapt and innovate in unfamiliar territory.