0 → 1 Product Strategy and Design

Build your idea → Know what's working

Build your idea → Know what's working

Build your idea → Know what's working

10+ years helping founders and team test their ideas. I turn rough sketches into a tested, de-risked product before you spend on a full build.

10+ years helping founders and team test their ideas. I turn rough sketches into a tested, de-risked product before you spend on a full build.

Tell me your idea

Tell me your idea

Akash, product strategy and UX consultant
Akash, product strategy and UX consultant

You're not alone

You have an idea, maybe even built it using AI, but now what?

You've built your idea but users find it confusing or they get lost.

Fix activation

Fix activation

Trial users sign up, and then go quiet before paying.

Fix conversion

Fix conversion

You don't know which roadmap feature to build first.

Build with clarity

Build with clarity

Users sign up but don't reach value moment

Fix activation

Fix activation

Users signal interest but don't convert after trial

Fix conversion

Fix conversion

You don't have clear signals on what to build next

Build with clarity

Build with clarity

You've built your idea but users find it confusing or they get lost.

Fix activation

Fix activation

Trial users sign up, and then go quiet before paying.

Fix conversion

Fix conversion

You don't know which roadmap feature to build first.

Build with clarity

Build with clarity

Why not just hire a developer?

Your immediate need is to understand what will users pay for. I help you rapidly build confidence before you spend months and money building something.

Success stories

SafetyCulture product interface showing user onboarding improvements
Reduced onboarding time from 1 week to 4 hours
SafetyCulture product interface showing user onboarding improvements
Reduced onboarding time from 1 week to 4 hours
Pet Circle product interface showing repeat customer improvements
Reduced support tickets from 10% to 2%
Pet Circle product interface showing repeat customer improvements
Reduced support tickets from 10% to 2%
Increased vocabulary confidence for 500 students
Increased vocabulary confidence for 500 students
Reduced financial admin tasks through automation
Reduced financial admin tasks through automation

Approach

Map first. Design second.

Tell me your idea

Tell me your idea

01

Define the idea

We discuss your idea and break it down into features and flows.

02

Build a prototype

I rapidly build the first iteration of your idea with a plan on how we're going to test it.

03

Test it + Repeat

We test your idea in 1-2 weeks with the prototype and real users who represent paying customers. We plan the next iteration.

01

Define the idea

We discuss your idea and break it down into features and flows.

02

Build a prototype

I rapidly build the first iteration of your idea with a plan on how we're going to test it.

03

Test it + Repeat

We test your idea in 1-2 weeks with the prototype and real users who represent paying customers. We plan the next iteration.

01

Define the idea

We discuss your idea and break it down into features and flows.

02

Build a prototype

I rapidly build the first iteration of your idea with a plan on how we're going to test it.

03

Test it + Repeat

We test your idea in 1-2 weeks with the prototype and real users who represent paying customers. We plan the next iteration.

  • Alignment across teams.

    Akash is particularly strong at bringing people together, creating alignment across teams, and making collaboration feel natural and energising. What sets Akash apart is how he connects great design to real business outcomes.

    Lisi Schappi

    Senior Director of Design, Deputy

  • Clarity to complex problem space.

    Akash brought clarity to complex problem spaces and helped align product, design, and engineering around well-reasoned solutions. I would happily work with Akash again and strongly recommend him as a strategic design partner.

    woman in white and blue checked dress shirt
    Klaas Raaijmakers

    Director of Product & Growth, Think Digitally (ex-CPO, Deputy)

  • Problem first. Design second.

    Working with Akash was a genuine partnership. He consistently pushed us to think deeper about the problem, not just the solution, and helped build lasting design capability within the team.

    man in white crew neck shirt wearing black sunglasses
    Jacob Tait

    Principal Product Manager, Heidi (ex-SafetyCulture)

  • Alignment across teams.

    Akash is particularly strong at bringing people together, creating alignment across teams, and making collaboration feel natural and energising. What sets Akash apart is how he connects great design to real business outcomes.

    Lisi Schappi

    Sr. Director of Design, Deputy

  • Clarity to complex problem space.

    Akash brought clarity to complex problem spaces and helped align product, design, and engineering around well-reasoned solutions. I would happily work with Akash again and strongly recommend him as a strategic design partner.

    woman in white and blue checked dress shirt

    Klaas Raaijmakers

    Dir. of Product + Growth, Think Digitally (ex-CPO, Deputy)

  • Problem first. Design second.

    Working with Akash was a genuine partnership. He consistently pushed us to think deeper about the problem, not just the solution, and helped build lasting design capability within the team.

    man in white crew neck shirt wearing black sunglasses

    Jacob Tait

    Principal PM, Heidi (ex-SafetyCulture)

  • Alignment across teams.

    Akash is particularly strong at bringing people together, creating alignment across teams, and making collaboration feel natural and energising. What sets Akash apart is how he connects great design to real business outcomes.

    Lisi Schappi

    Senior Director of Design, Deputy

  • Clarity to complex problem space.

    Akash brought clarity to complex problem spaces and helped align product, design, and engineering around well-reasoned solutions. I would happily work with Akash again and strongly recommend him as a strategic design partner.

    woman in white and blue checked dress shirt
    Klaas Raaijmakers

    Director of Product & Growth, Think Digitally (ex-CPO, Deputy)

  • Problem first. Design second.

    Working with Akash was a genuine partnership. He consistently pushed us to think deeper about the problem, not just the solution, and helped build lasting design capability within the team.

    man in white crew neck shirt wearing black sunglasses
    Jacob Tait

    Principal Product Manager, Heidi (ex-SafetyCulture)

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Who do you work with?

Individuals or small teams that have an idea or an early product wanting paying users.

What problems do you help solve?

Three main ones: define your idea, test it with real users, understand why users want to pay.

What services do you offer?

There are three: Product Strategy, Product Design, and MVP Build

How does an engagement work?

We discuss your idea, and break it down into features and flows. I rapidly build and test with real users. And, then we plan the next iteration.

How long does a typical project take?

We test your idea in 2-4 weeks depending on the complexity and the time it takes to onboard users.

Do you work with internal teams?

Yes. I work alongside your product, design and engineering people so the decisions get made together and stay with your team afterwards.

How much does it cost?

Pricing depends on the sprint and its scope. I'll give you a clear fixed price after we've spoken, so there are no surprises.

How do we get started?

Book a 30-minute call where you tell me your idea. I give you a plan within 24 hours.

Akash, product strategy and UX consultant

Let's hit those goals

No hard selling. We spend the first call aligning on your current state and answering any questions you might have.

Tell me your idea

Tell me your idea

Design By Drops

I acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land, the Wiradyuri people, and pay respect to Elders past, present and future and extends our respect to all First Nations Peoples in Wagga Wagga.

I recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and continuing connection with the land and rivers. I also recognise the resilience, strength and pride of the Wiradyuri and First Nations communities.

© 2026 Akash Datta, All rights reserved.

Akash, product strategy and UX consultant

Let's hit those goals

No hard selling. We spend the first call aligning on your current state and answering any questions you might have.

Tell me your idea

Tell me your idea

Design By Drops

I acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land, the Wiradyuri people, and pay respect to Elders past, present and future and extends our respect to all First Nations Peoples in Wagga Wagga.

I recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and continuing connection with the land and rivers. I also recognise the resilience, strength and pride of the Wiradyuri and First Nations communities.

© 2026 Akash Datta, All rights reserved.

Akash, product strategy and UX consultant

Let's hit those goals

No hard selling. We spend the first call aligning on your current state and answering any questions you might have.

Tell me your idea

Tell me your idea

Design By Drops

I acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land, the Wiradyuri people, and pay respect to Elders past, present and future and extends our respect to all First Nations Peoples in Wagga Wagga.

I recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and continuing connection with the land and rivers. I also recognise the resilience, strength and pride of the Wiradyuri and First Nations communities.

© 2026 Akash Datta, All rights reserved.