Beautiful shared homes for nomads around the world.
Cohabs is a Belgian startup that provides flexible, fully furnished accommodations through a network of sustainable & community-driven shared homes.
My role
As a Product Manager for Cohabs, I was brought on to drive the development of a coliving platform with a focus on community and sustainability. I collaborated with stakeholders and the design team to refine the product vision, moving it from a basic coliving idea to a fully integrated, community-driven platform. My role involved overseeing user research, product strategy, design iterations, and the MVP build. Additionally, I managed a remote team across multiple time zones, ensuring successful coordination and delivery up to the platform’s beta launch.
Product
Cohabs offers fully furnished, eco-conscious homes equipped with sustainable technologies like solar panels and energy-efficient appliances. Through a user-friendly app, members can manage their living experience, connect with neighbors, and participate in community events, ensuring a seamless and engaging coliving experience in urban spaces.
Evolution
Cohabs initially focused on providing coliving spaces, but after gathering user feedback, we identified a greater need for community engagement and sustainability. We pivoted and adopted a different approach, utilizing Object-Oriented UX (OOUX) to rethink the user experience from a real-world interaction perspective. This design philosophy allowed us to address user pain points by creating a flexible, community-driven platform that integrates eco-conscious living. The iterative process resulted in a product that not only meets but anticipates user needs, setting the foundation for future growth.
Key Takeaways
- As an early product in my Product Management career, this project emphasized the importance of defining and refining the product scope, ensuring that it aligned with both the long-term vision and immediate user needs.
- Balanced the creation of a “perfect world” product vision with the essential features needed for a successful MVP.
- Deepened my understanding of UX by working closely with a Product Designer from concept to launch.
- Gained experience in managing a remote engineering team across time zones, navigating communication challenges.
- Clarified the differences between product management and project management, especially in dynamic, fast-paced environments.