How I got into Product Development
In 2019, when remote work started gaining traction, I saw a niche for a service marketplace for the LATAM community, where people could delegate their tasks with taskers, which I called tudelega.com. Realizing the significance of details in ensuring an app’s success, I took it upon myself to delve into the nuances of product design. While many opt for professional UX Designers, I embarked on a learning journey with tools like Figma. My goal was simple: understand and craft interfaces that users would love. My explorations covered prototyping, wireframing, and usability testing. It was fulfilling to ensure the end product wasn’t just visually appealing, but also user-focused.
As the journey progressed, my dabblings evolved into functional design components and soon into responsive webpages. My exposure to Sharetribe, a low-code marketplace framework, led me to collaborate with dedicated developers from Serbia and India. Embracing Agile and Git methodologies, I learned the value of team dynamics and the importance of clear communication.
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The year 2020 will always be a reminder of adaptability for all of us. The COVID-19 outbreak introduced challenges that required immediate and innovative solutions. During this tumultuous period, I developed a platform that managed over a million COVID-19 tests across the Dominican Republic and Mexico. My aim was to serve my community with my talents, but receiving feedbacks like “This system has simplified our process like never before” from local health officials was heartwarming. The platform not only did it improve the efficiency, but it enabled a team of over 100 individuals from various sectors to collaborate seamlessly.
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As the world around us changed, the importance of well-being and community became evident. My wife and I started organizing gatherings in parks, providing a platform for yoga and meditation. Seeing the impact on the community, we expanded, initiating "Dialogos", a local personal development event. It was humbling to receive support from local authorities and see the difference these gatherings made.
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While past projects were a great learning experience, the world of no-code and low-code development opened up a new horizon. The vision was to craft tools quickly and cheaply without compromising on reliability or even user experience. Using platforms like Airtable, Notion, and Webflow, coupled with integrations like Calendly and Stripe, I embarked on building versatile platforms integrated with complex workflows and seemless process automations.
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By November 2022, the emergence of Chat GPT-4 marked a transformative shift in the AI realm. Drawn to its vast possibilities, I delved deep into its applications, strengthening my foundation in computer science. While AI promises a bright future, it became clear that some spheres, especially home services, remained grounded in human touch and interaction.
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This insight led to the birth of AyudaLocal. More than a mere marketplace, AyudaLocal intertwines the features of a marketplace with a social network, aiming to bridge communities in Mexico. At its heart, it's about fostering genuine connections: whether you're seeking a local service provider, sharing news, or joining community events. With AyudaLocal, transactions go beyond the superficial; you're not just hiring a service but fortifying community ties. Its hyperlocal ethos, combined with innovative features like a ChatGPT-integrated chatbot through WhatsApp, ensures a unique user experience.
The aspirations for AyudaLocal are grand. While its initial focus is on the Mexican landscape, the vision expands to becoming the go-to platform for local services across Latin America. As the platform gains momentum, there's potential for significant growth, driven by network effects, offering both community benefits and enticing opportunities for investors.
More about me
I’ve completed two online Computer Science courses from Harvard, a professional certificate from Meta on Front-end technologies, a Generative AI course from Microsoft and I'm on track to earn a UX Design certification from Google. My academic background also includes a Business degree from the reputable Tec de Monterrey.
I aspire to lead a balanced life, where every domain aligns harmoniously, enabling me to give my best to the world. I’m currently exploring Generative AI, the potential of audio as the next-gen computer interface, and the evolving landscape of AI Companions.