Hi Leaders,
Are you striving to create products that truly resonate with your users?
What happens when you decide to build a product not for market validation, but to share something that brings you joy?
That’s exactly what happened to me when I was sick with a cold. I was just sick enough to not want to follow my normal routine, but not so sick that I needed to stay in bed. With only a 20-hour-per-week commitment to my client, I suddenly had a LOT of time on my hands.
An idea for an app that had been swirling in my mind for years—a bit like an earworm—bubbled to the surface as the perfect way to spend that time.
I decided to build a scavenger hunt app, inspired by a version of the game my daughter Abby had invented for long car rides.
Building the app felt disproportionately important to me. Years ago, while recovering from a brain injury, I had tried to build this app and failed. I couldn’t keep the structure of what I was creating in my head.
I tried several times during that first year of recovery. Each time, I’d reach a point where a knock on the door, a meow from the cat, or a ringing phone would break my concentration. I’d lose my place entirely and have to start over. It frustrated me to tears, and eventually, I had no choice but to give up.
I’d nearly forgotten about the app until my recent cold prompted me to try again.
To my delight, I discovered I’ve recovered to the point where I can now keep the app’s structure—and all the associated data interactions—firmly in my mind. It felt like passing a personal litmus test for my recovery. More than that, I rediscovered the joy I felt as an 11-year-old, teaching myself to program and building “stuff” on my computer.
I’ll admit, working on the app quickly became all-consuming. Late at night, after my other obligations were done, I’d sit down to build. I was simultaneously product manager, developer, tester, and user, making decisions interactively as I went.
The app is now at a true MVP stage. I showed my daughter, whose creativity inspired it, how it works and what it does. Together, we brainstormed all the possibilities for the future and narrowed down what it needs to do right now.
This morning, it struck me: I’m not building an MVP—a minimally viable product. I’m building an MLP—a minimally lovable product.
And that changes everything.
When you focus on the basic functionality that would make a user love your product, you approach the process differently. It’s no longer about just testing whether it solves a need. It’s about crafting something delightful.
Thinking about MLPs instead of MVPs brings you back to that place of joy—building something that excites and delights the end user.
And that’s exactly where I want to be.
Revisiting this app idea has taught me the power of timing, the value of a fresh perspective, and how focusing on love—not just viability—can transform a product’s potential.
Key Takeaways
✅ The importance of building with joy.
✅ How failure (or stepping away) can set the stage for later success.
✅ Why aiming for “lovable” over “viable” can inspire user delight.
Some Questions for You
What would it look like if your team focused on MLPs instead of MVPs?
Could building for love rather than viability spark more joy for your users and your team?
As always, thanks for allowing me in your inbox.
Whether you're leading a team or creating something new, remember: the goal isn’t just to make it work—it’s to make it lovable.
Keep building with joy, purpose, and love.
See you next time!
Cheers,
Andrea
next steps
Want to work together?
I provide leadership coaching, product team training/workshops, and project-based consulting - helping leaders launch products, build teams, and lead with confidence.
If you're interested, let's chat!
|
|
|
special offer
Leadership Advantage: Fundamentals Course
"The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.." -Amelia Earhart
Transform into a visionary leader in just 3 weeks with our Leadership Fundamentals course.
Designed specifically for the busy leader, this digital course transitions you from managing tasks, people, and priorities to leading with authenticity and purpose.
You'll gain access to battle-tested techniques and approaches to become a confident leader who delivers amazing results.
Our comprehensive curriculum will provide you with frameworks, strategies, and templates that have been developed over decades of steering high-performing teams to success.
By the end of this journey, you won't merely manage—you'll lead with purpose, vision, and authenticity. Witness firsthand the evolution of your leadership style, transitioning seamlessly from managing to truly leading.
Enroll today to start evolving your leadership style.
|
P.S. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please forward it to someone you think might like it. Make sure to subscribe below ↓
