
In the fast-paced world of UX design, adaptability and resilience are key. Over the past weeks, our team at Brady UX had the privilege of collaborating with GustoMarket, a promising SaaS startup aiming to revolutionize the hospitality and food supply chain sector. While the project presented challenges, it also brought valuable lessons about communication, flexibility, and the intricacies of startup culture. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at our journey with GustoMarket, from proposal to reflection.
Meeting GustoMarket: The Initial Spark
We first connected with Franco Mora, GustoMarket’s visionary founder, at DC Startup Week. His enthusiasm for creating a platform to simplify operations for distributors, wholesalers, and restaurants was infectious. During our initial discussions, we quickly identified a shared commitment to customer-centric design and a desire to build tools that genuinely solve user problems.
GustoMarket was at a pivotal stage—pre-sales with a beta version in place—and needed support refining their pitch deck, website, and core platform features to attract investors and users alike.
Crafting the Proposal: A Balancing Act
Our initial proposal centered around three phases:
Immediate Priorities: Redesigning GustoMarket’s investor pitch deck and refreshing their website for a more cohesive, professional appearance.
Platform Integration and Core UI/UX Development: Addressing critical features like quote request functionality and user management screens while integrating seamlessly with their tech team.
Long-Term Partnership: Offering ongoing design support to help GustoMarket scale as their platform matured.
We worked closely with GustoMarket’s team, iterating based on their feedback and aligning our deliverables with their evolving goals. One standout moment was collaborating with their CTO, Adon Davis, who provided invaluable insights into their technical needs and long-term vision.
Not every step of the journey was smooth. After submitting our initial proposal, communication unexpectedly stalled. While this was disheartening, we remained proactive, following up and refining our approach. When Adon later reached out with an RFP invitation, it was a reminder of the importance of persistence and professionalism.
This experience also underscored the value of clear communication. We learned to navigate ambiguity, adapt to shifting priorities, and stay focused on delivering value despite setbacks.
Refining Our Approach: The RFP Process
The RFP process was an opportunity to rethink and refine our proposal. With a clearer understanding of GustoMarket’s needs, we adjusted our scope to emphasize:
Creating a visually compelling clickable prototype for sales and pre-sales use.
Ensuring responsive design with a focus on mobile functionality.
Providing agile, iterative support to accommodate their evolving requirements.
Our team collaborated to craft a detailed, visually appealing proposal that reflected our understanding of GustoMarket’s vision and the unique challenges of their industry.
The Outcome: A Learning Opportunity
Although we ultimately weren’t selected to move forward, the experience was far from a loss. The feedback we received highlighted the strengths of our proposal and gave us valuable insights for future projects. It also reinforced the importance of staying adaptable and maintaining strong relationships, even in the face of disappointment.
Key Takeaways:
Persistence Pays Off: Following up after periods of silence can reopen doors and demonstrate your commitment to the project.
Adaptability is Crucial: Being willing to adjust your approach based on evolving client needs is a hallmark of great UX work.
Collaboration is Key: Clear, consistent communication within your team and with the client can make or break a project.
Every Experience is Valuable: Even when a project doesn’t go as planned, the lessons learned can inform and improve your future work.
Conclusion:
Working with GustoMarket was a journey of discovery, growth, and collaboration. While the outcome wasn’t what we hoped for, the experience enriched our team and prepared us for future opportunities. At Brady UX, we believe in turning challenges into stepping stones, and we’re excited to apply what we’ve learned as we continue designing exceptional user experiences.
If you’re a startup looking for a design partner who values simplicity, efficiency, and empathy, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s build something incredible together.
Visit us at bradyux.com to learn more.
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