BL3NDlabs

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of a social commerce platform in beauty.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with BL3NDlabs?

I had a vision for the platform’s UX, but needed a developer to help to bring the UI/UX design to life.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We started with an initial workshop to discover what the consumer problem was and how we could help solve it. We developed different user personas and honed in on the value proposition and overall user experience. We worked together on components of the look and feel, including fonts, colors, and all the intricacies of design.

They developed over 100 screens based off of our existing iOS app, and they came up with all the user interactions we included in the app. Once we had all that laid out, they concentrated on development. We had an amazing project manager who led that effort.

What is the team composition?

The core team included the head of design, a technical project manager, and two overseas developers. A couple other designers provided oversight, as did two of their original founders. They’re very technical and would come in to make sure everything was completed correctly.

How did you come to work with BL3NDlabs?

I connected with their head of design. I’d never met her before, but we immediately understood one another. I met her in person, loved her work, and decided to work with her.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in March 2016 and launched the MVP in November 2016. We added new features and functionality through 2017 and developed over 20 different versions of the app.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

In an era filled with web applications, it’s hard to stand out. From the beginning, I recognized that a beautiful presentation of a great product was paramount. BL3NDlabs knew exactly how to give us what we needed, and we have an attractive, functional app.

Since launch, we’ve grown 20% month over month, all organically. A lot of that growth is thanks to the seamless design, UX, and navigability of the app.

How did BL3NDlabs perform from a project management standpoint?

Through the initial development cycle, we had two or three weekly standups. Everything was incredibly organized in Google Docs, and we appreciated that there was no scope creep. We identified a clear MVP and all the future features ahead of time. They were always transparent and available to talk. There were never any holes in our communication.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I recommend them to any startup or entrepreneur who wants UI/UX design or branding development help. They are the best shop I’ve ever worked with. We never had any scope creep, and we got what we paid for. They were always communicative and acted like an extension of the team. I would work with them again in a heartbeat and have recommended them over six times to colleagues in the industry.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. I tend to be positively critical of the people I work with, but I can’t think of a moment that they foundered. Communication was strong, and there isn’t anything they could have improved in my experience with them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would encourage any of their customers to hone in on the features and functionalities they want in their version one or MVP. Have weekly standups and make yourself available on Slack. Those open lines of communication will ensure transparency and help you reach your goals in a cost-effective way.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the co-founder of Fulcrum, a software platform that acts as the central nervous system for an enterprise gig workforce strategy.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire BL3NDlabs?

We needed custom software platform development, UX/UI design, and marketing and brand strategy services.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to create a technology platform that would transform the way companies source, match, and deploy talent on a global scale. To do this, we had to create a brand strategy that spoke to our mission, vision, and core values, while also resonating with our target customer and the talented individuals we serve.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We were referred to BL3NDlabs via an existing relationship I had. After meeting with several potential vendors in person, it was evident that BL3NDlabs was operating on another level. We decided to engage them as a strategic partner fairly quickly.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

We kicked off the project(s) with all-day workshops to dig into our brand and product visions. We then quickly moved into design and technology sprints. Bl3ndLabs created the logo, brand strategy, pitch decks, and boilerplate marketing collateral for our company launch. The work was truly exceptional, and we couldn’t have been happier about the finished product from a branding/marketing perspective. After the branding work wrapped, we transitioned to the design and creation of our custom software platform. They completed our MVP on time and on budget. BL3NDlabs made it happen, delivering on every aspect of the partnership

What was the team composition?

We worked with both technologists and design experts. Their team flexed in size and scope throughout the project, and we had top-notch project management that kept all resources engaged and on track.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

They deliver world-class brand and software work on time and on budget. This enabled us to go live with our first enterprise client on schedule and execute our 2018 marketing strategy at the largest industry conference. Our showing at this event immediately filled our pipeline with 20+ blue-chip companies.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

It was incredible. Slack was the primary communication hub for all of our projects. BL3NDlabs didn’t act as a vendor, but rather as an extension of our team.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They’re not interested in taking work from any company that’ll pay them. They’re genuinely interested in investing their time, energy, and resources in companies that seek to create long-lasting positive impact. It’s rare to find a partner who’s as passionate as we are about affecting positive change in the world.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, not that I can think of. We’ll continue to partner with Bl3ndLabs in some capacity, even when these functions move in-house.