Jasmine Tostado Individual Reflection – Green Plate Project

Coming from a computer science background with limited exposure to product management, this project has been an incredibly eye-opening experience. It’s one thing to build a product, but it’s another to think critically about why it should exist, who it serves, and how it sustains itself as a business. Working on Green Plate pushed me to think beyond the technical layer and understand how strategic, financial, and brand considerations intersect in bringing a product to market.

Because I’m not vegan myself, it was fascinating to step into the mindset of both vegan and flexitarian consumers. I learned how subtle differences in messaging, like shifting from “vegan” to “plant-forward”, can completely change how a product is perceived. It reinforced how product positioning is as much about psychology and storytelling as it is about features or price.

One of the most challenging parts for me was building out financial projections and evaluating revenue models. I don’t have a finance background, so working on market analysis and finances required a lot of learning and collaboration. Still, it gave me a much deeper appreciation for how every business decision must balance user experience with financial sustainability.

Overall, this project has been a valuable introduction to product thinking. I’ve learned how to translate qualitative user insights into actionable strategy, how to balance innovation with operational reality, and how to tell a clear, compelling story that aligns the product vision with business goals. It’s made me realize that effective product management is equal parts creativity, empathy, and analytical rigor.

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