By: Nathanael Osborne | NIM 2702313092

Lecturer : Irene Teresa Rebecca Hutabarat, S.MB., M.M.

Throughout the development and validation of Collabify, this journey became one of the most meaningful learning experiences I have had so far. At the beginning, I was confident that my idea made complete sense. Business owners need partners, skilled individuals need opportunities—so a platform that connects them felt naturally valuable. However, as the process unfolded, I slowly realized that my personal logic was only a small part of a much bigger reality.

Engaging directly with real users became a turning point for me. Through interviews and validation sessions, I learned how different perspectives could completely reshape an idea. Some users misunderstood the concept, some questioned its relevance, and others pointed out flaws I had never considered. At first, this was uncomfortable. But over time, I realized that these moments were not setbacks—they were lessons. They taught me that growth begins when I step outside my assumptions and truly listen.

The validation process pushed me beyond my comfort zone. Explaining my idea clearly, receiving honest feedback, and responding to criticism required emotional resilience. Yet, this experience helped me develop a stronger mindset. I learned that feedback is not a personal attack, but a valuable tool that sharpens both the product and the person behind it.

Through this journey, I also learned to think more like a user than a creator. I came to understand that a good product is not defined by how many features it has, but by how clearly it solves real problems. Building Collabify taught me the importance of clarity, trust, and continuous improvement. Each iteration made me more patient, more analytical, and more open to learning.

Most importantly, this experience shaped me both personally and professionally. I gained confidence in communicating ideas, learned to navigate uncertainty, and developed a stronger product mindset. Moving forward, I carry these lessons with me—not only for the future of Collabify, but for every project and challenge I will face ahead.