E8 Labs

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I have a startup called Evolution Core, a consulting business that has a job site. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with E8 Labs?

I hired E8 to build the startup’s jobs site. I wanted the website to be simple yet effective, private, and specific without the nuance of marketing ads. That way, recruiters could focus on the job and avoid getting distracted by ads. In other words, I needed the site to be professional, reliable, and affordable for recruiters. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

E8 and our team created a wireframe design first, ironing out the details of the features, functionality, and logic behind the development process. From there, we needed to complete several stages of work. We created a draft of what the site would look like, and then we made changes as necessary before the development. 

So far, that’s the process we’ve undertaken. In terms of technologies, E8 has used PHP programming languages. We’ve selected a payment portal to be integrated into the website; we’ve chosen a provider that’s reliable in terms of protecting customer privacy and network security. 

Right now, we’re in the holding stage because E8 has offered to market the site. They’ve also offered to pitch it to investors so that we can receive funding. Meanwhile, our teams have discussed enhancements to the website down the line or once it’s launched. For instance, we want the website to be usable for people with disabilities or who are handicapped. That way, we can better help them apply for jobs. End users should also know along the way whether recruiters have seen any of their job postings so that they can take appropriate action. 

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with three people from E8’s team, including Noah (Technical Product Manager). We’ve had a three-way call with another member of their team; we’ve gone over the specifics of why I want to build the site. Finally, I also collaborate with an administrative person who responds to me via email, providing updates and customer support. 

How did you come to work with E8 Labs?

I contacted E8 through Wix, which offered companies that could help customers build websites. From there, I read about E8 and felt that they could help me with what I wanted to do. I made the first contact, and they responded promptly. Everything was smooth. 

Typically, I could get a sense of credibility and reliability from people when I talked to them. I felt those things with Noah; I listened to him, and we collaborated over the phone a few times. Trusting my gut feelings, I then decided to go with E8. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested between $5,000–$8,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in May 2020, and the process is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since the site isn’t finished yet, I have no success metrics to show other than the interaction between E8 and me. Their response times have been superb. The team is punctual, and they get things done — there’s never any lack of interest on their part. I haven’t seen any behavioral issues with them. Overall, while the site is still being developed, the design process and our interactions have all gone smoothly. 

How did E8 Labs perform from a project management standpoint?

E8’s project management has been great in terms of timelines, flow, and feedback. They use a great waterfall approach and take an agile perspective in terms of project planning — they’re spot on. 

In terms of tools, they use Adobe XD to display design features correctly. This tool has helped us depict each web page’s functionality. To communicate, we’ve used video calls, phone calls, and emails. Our communications have all been professional. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

E8’s resources have truly been professional since we started communicating. Moreover, they have a process in place for providing information to customers on what they need to do and how they can move forward. 

They’ve done everything they can for the project, and the team offers me advice on what to do. For instance, they’ve recommended I get legal counsel, and I’ve made sure to seek the best one around to build my business plan. In other words, E8 provides me with good information, while the rest is up to me to do it. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there aren’t any. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

You need to be fully grounded about what you want to do and why you need to do it. Moreover, when comparing companies, make sure that they’re credible and responsible. When you talk to them, they should listen to you and address you respectfully — these things are inherent to the right company. They should have consistency in their professionalism whether addressing you or addressing the work at hand. Given all of these, I highly recommend talking to E8; you’ll quickly realize if you’ve made the right choice. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of the Watering Can App, and it connects plant parents with plant sitters.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with E8 Labs?

I needed help in developing the app. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I described the app’s looks, functionalities, and overall aesthetic to E8 Labs. From there, they proceeded to develop my app for iOS. 

Plant parents can use our app to indicate that they need help and find a service provider that can accommodate their horticultural tasks. Likewise, folks can use the app to indicate that they’re available to do horticulture-related work to earn extra money.

E8 Labs sent prototypes to interested sample users during the beta testing phase. They received feedback and addressed those relatively quickly. They communicate to us all the suggestions and issues from beta testers. The app has not launched yet, and our development is ongoing. 

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with a developer and a designer.

How did you come to work with E8 Labs?

When I was searching for app developers online, I saw E8 Labs pop up. I called and ended up liking them.

Additionally, they were able to understand my vision correctly. After our initial call, they sent me a visualization of my app based on our discussions. That made me decide to work with them. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in August 2020, and it’s ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Their designs are great and have an intuitive UI. 

We’ve encountered some issues where things didn’t work correctly. E8 Labs has been responsive in dealing with those situations.

How did E8 Labs perform from a project management standpoint?

E8 Labs’ project management is pretty good — they’re on top of everything. However, there have been times when I had to ping them a few times to get a response. Despite that, the project has gone well overall. 

We collaborate using HoneyBook, and we communicate through emails and text messages.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Right from the beginning, they’ve been interested in the project. They’ve been the only vendor to send me a prototype. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

They can be more realistic with deadlines instead of giving an earlier date that they can’t comply with. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be patient with them on communications. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of Seed Market, an app that allows users to buy and sell seed lots.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with E8 Labs?

In our industry, farmers usually have to call different seed companies to ask them what their open market seed prices are and request for seed tests before being able to actually buy seeds. So, I wanted to come up with a simpler and easier way to buy and sell seeds online.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We worked with E8 Labs to design and develop a location-based seed marketplace app for iOS. E8 Labs built the app’s buyer side, seller side, and admin side. Aside from that, they also developed an accompanying website for the app. We also wanted to test the app first to see if it would work in the market before we develop the Android version.

The app allows seed companies to post their lot of seeds for sale, set their prices, and wait for bids to come. It also makes farmers’ lives easier because they could just go to one place to canvas prices and purchase seeds.

We’ve just recently launched the app on the App Store, and we’re still working together to make further improvements to the app.

What is the team composition?

I primarily communicated with Noah (Technical Product Manager), who managed the development process, and he had at least three other people working with him the whole time.

How did you come to work with E8 Labs?

I interviewed four different companies for this project. I went with E8 Labs instead of a larger company because their pricing was fair and I felt like I would be more of a priority rather than just another number to them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent somewhere around $50,000–$70,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with E8 Labs in January 2021, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our website is up and running, and the app was launched on the App Store just a few days ago. Over the last five days, we’ve seen over 55 new users on the platform, which includes both farmers and seed companies. People seem to be interested in this new idea, so I’m very excited about the results so far.

How did E8 Labs perform from a project management standpoint?

E8 Labs has performed well in terms of project management. The project did take a little longer than expected, but what really matters is that the app is working as it should.

We communicated with them via Zoom, phone calls, text messages, and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’m most impressed with how much E8 Labs delved into the project. They didn’t just create what I wanted them to create — they’ve taken the time to put themselves into my shoes and look at the project from various perspectives to come up with ideas that I hadn’t even thought of before. Overall, I’ve really enjoyed working with them and I will definitely continue this partnership.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The only thing that I think E8 Labs could have improved was their project timeline estimation at the beginning of the project because we blew by that very quickly.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure to explain your ideas and goals in as much detail as possible to ensure that everyone’s on the same page.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I founded the company called Braver Hospitality, a members-only private concierge.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with E8 Labs?

I wanted to capture my network and grow it. We have quite the surrounding cast, and I really wanted to organize the hospitality industry in a different way. We hired E8 Labs to develop an app that covers the entire spectrum of global hospitality events.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Through the app, I want to give members the option to book trips, events, villas, yachts, DJs, and artists – basically anything that defines a traveling experience. I asked E8 Labs to create this function, capturing the top five recommendations for each amenity and suggesting them to users. Their team worked with me to refine my ideas, and we communicated weekly to develop the platform further and further. 

We have arrived at a demo-able version of the MVP, but E8 Labs continues to work with me. The app is only available for iOS at the moment, but we’re hoping to develop a version for Android in the future as well.

What is the team composition?

I work with Noah (Technical Product Manager) and four other members of the A8 Labs team. 

How did you come to work with E8 Labs?

My old roommate is in the tech industry and was the one who connected me with E8 Labs. I decided to hire E8 Labs right away because I hold the opinion of my old roommate in high regard. 

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent around $20,000–$30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started talking last December 2020. This is an ongoing project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

E8 Labs works very efficiently. They’re just always on point. Timelines are usually met, and if not, it’s often due to them wanting to perfect a certain component of the app. I have no complaints about that, though, because the product speaks for itself. 

There are no backlashes regarding the demos, and we’re moving at a good pace towards a launch in the coming year. Everything runs smoothly, which helps me build my membership rather swiftly. E8 Labs catches any bugs that arise and fixes them very quickly. 

How did E8 Labs perform from a project management standpoint?

They perform outstandingly on this front. We have a good system of brainstorming, communicating, and building off of each other’s ideas. We typically reach each other through phone and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

What I find most impressive about E8 Labs is their energy. I feel like they really care and are not just in it for the money. They want to create something special. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I don’t have any complaints.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Stay in the loop as much as possible and share your thoughts with E8 Labs. Even when you’re not sure about something, it helps to feed off of their feedback.