SeamTraka: Building a Customer Management System
The Spark of an Idea
Ideas are a common commodity, but execution sets them apart. Since 2019, I harboured the notion of creating a customer management system. However, it wasn’t until 2022, when I found myself between jobs, that I decided to act on it. I called my friend Temitope to share my vision, and he wholeheartedly supported it. Here’s the full story.
The Problem
I grew up in a household where my parents were tailors. I witnessed the chaos of misplaced measurement books and the frantic efforts to recall customer details. They often forgot the styles customers chose and frequently realized too late that they had run out of essential materials. These struggles are part of the daily life of an average fashion designer.
The Idea
Experiencing these challenges motivated me to create a digital platform to alleviate the burden of data management for fashion designers, allowing them to focus on their craft. I envisioned a digital customer catalogue, order catalogue, and inventory system.
Assembling the Team
I reached out to my friend Temitope, with whom I had previously worked on Nounpal. I presented my new idea, and he immediately agreed to join me. Within two months, we had completed the design phase. However, my schedule became hectic, so I decided to bring an intern on board. I came across Abiodun’s profile and was impressed by his eagerness to learn. I reached out to him, and he enthusiastically agreed to work with us.
The Current Product
After numerous iterations and unexpected delays, we finally deployed the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) on March 7, 2024. The primary features are functioning optimally, and we have received a lot of positive feedback.
Lessons Learned
Building SeamTraka was challenging and educational at every stage. Here are some key lessons I learned:
Ideas are static; implementation is dynamic.
Ship your product first and iterate based on customer feedback.
Building something worthwhile takes time but not forever.
Start building today.
What’s Next?
Our next steps involve gathering more customer feedback and enhancing the product based on their needs. The journey has just begun, and I am excited about the future developments of SeamTraka.