Becoming The Product

Not every résumé fits on paper.In this reflective episode, Naya explores how proof, process, and storytelling form the foundation of your modern résumé one that evolves with every lesson, pivot, and product you build.Because in the end, you are the product.Timestamps00:00 – 00:30 — Introduction: “You are the product.”00:30 – 01:00 — The story of being laid off and discovering the power of documentation.01:00 – 02:00 — Point 1: Your proof is your portfolio.02:00 – 02:30 — Point 2: Your process is your brand.02:30 – 03:30 — Point 3: Your story is your strategy.03:30 – 05:00 — Product thinking as iteration, not restarting.05:00 – End — Closing reflections + call to action to audit your proof.Key TakeawaysYour résumé isn’t a document; it’s your proof in motion.Proof builds trust faster than credentials.Your process — how you communicate, plan, and execute — is your real brand.Storytelling helps you connect your past to your next pivot.You’re not behind; you’re just iterating.Key Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Smart PM Career Roadmap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Build Without Permission – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Side Hustle Stories – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Proof & Practice BundleSubscribe to the newsletterDM me on LinkedIn about PMaaS

This week, Naya shares her story of pivoting from banking to tech, and the three truths that helped her rebuild with clarity. If you’ve ever wondered if it’s too late to start again, this one’s for you. Spoiler: It’s not. You’re not behind, you’re just iterating.Timestamps:0:00 – 1:00 — Intro: What inspired this episode and the myth of “too late.”1:00 – 1:30 — My layoff story: From banking to blank slate.1:30 – 2:30 — Discovering tech and realizing I’d been doing “product thinking” all along.2:30 – 4:30 — Three truths about pivoting: redeeming your past, choosing curiosity, and building clarity through action.4:30 – 6:00 — Encouragement for anyone feeling behind.6:00 – End — Call to action and community invites.Key Takeaways:Your past experience is data, not detour.Curiosity can be a valid reason to change direction.Start small; clarity comes from doing.You’re not late. You’re iterating.Key Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Smart PM Career Roadmap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Build Without Permission – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Side Hustle Stories – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Proof & Practice BundleSubscribe to the newsletterDM me on LinkedIn about PMaaS

Summary:In this episode, Naya redefines what personal branding means for product managers and creatives. It’s not about logos or aesthetics — it’s about proof. She shares how documenting in real time, building in public, and aligning every creative outlet to a purpose has shaped her brand as a product builder.Key Takeaways:Branding = the proof you leave behind.Progress > perfection.Build a brand that functions, not just exists.Every piece of work you share is a micro-proof.Timestamps:00:00 – 01:10 → The question: “If your brand disappeared tomorrow, what proof would remain?”01:10 – 02:45 → Why branding isn’t design, it’s data.02:45 – 03:20 → Early lessons from documenting in public.03:20 – 04:15 → Proof is the new branding.04:15 – 05:30 → Build in public: why people connect with progress.05:30 – 05:45 → Make your brand functional.05:45 – 06:30 → You don’t need a rebrand, you need a record.06:30 – 07:00 → Final thoughts + CTA.

In this episode, Naya breaks down how she transformed her product management experience into structured offerings like PMaaS and Side Hustle Stories. She shares how small acts of documentation became data, how structure created clarity, and why proof always comes before scale.Key Takeaways:You don’t start by building a business — you start by building proof.Your patterns reveal your first offer.Structure creates clarity and scale.Test in public — feedback builds confidence.Your experience is your data.Timestamps00:00 – 02:30 | The surprising start — how documentation turned into a product journey02:30 – 05:30 | Story: From podcast reflections to building proof05:30 – 06:00 | Point 1: Start by naming what’s working06:00 – 06:30 | Point 2: Build structure around your skill06:30 – 07:00 | Point 3: Show proof before you scale07:00 – 07:45 | Wrap-up & final reminder: Proof becomes your product07:45 – 08:30 | CTA: Newsletter, Side Hustle Stories, Dive Africa

In this reflective episode, Naya shares what working with startup founders taught her about real-world product thinking. Beyond frameworks and templates, founders taught her the value of clarity, prioritization, storytelling, and scrappy validation. She connects these lessons to her own journey building PMaaS and preparing for Dive 2025 — Africa’s biggest tech and product conference.Key Takeaways:Clarity is a discipline, not an end goal.Prioritize what matters now — not everything at once.Storytelling is a product strategy.Build with what you have, not what you wish you had.Validation always beats perfection.Timestamps:00:00 – 01:10 | Founders move fast — intro to today’s topic01:10 – 03:50 | Observing early-stage founders: from chaos to clarity03:50 – 05:20 | Lesson 1: Clarity isn’t an outcome, it’s a discipline05:20 – 06:50 | Lesson 2: Prioritize what matters right now06:50 – 07:40 | Lesson 3: Storytelling as strategy07:40 – 08:00 | Lesson 4: Build with what you have08:00 – 09:00 | Lessons I’ve applied to PMaaS09:00 – 09:30 | Dive 2025 mention & reflections on community09:30 – 10:00 | Wrap-up & CTAsKey Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Smart PM Career Roadmap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Build Without Permission – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Side Hustle Stories – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Proof & Practice BundleSubscribe to the newsletterDM me on LinkedIn about PMaaSThe Dive 2025