Becoming The Product

In this honest solo episode, Naya normalizes the messy middle of building products. Proof isn’t about instant revenue. It starts with listeners, subscribers, first sales, and community. She shares her own lessons from podcasting, launching mini courses, and validating PMaaS.Episode 10:From Downloads to Revenue: What I’ve Learned So Far00:00 – 00:42 | Why this isn’t a “10k in 10 days” story00:42 – 01:29 | Proof starts with people showing up01:29 – 02:23 | Downloads ≠ dollars: why podcasting builds community first02:23 – 03:21 | Small sales are still validation03:21 – 04:26 | Mindset shift: monetization is a long game04:26 – 05:21 | Running experiments like PMaaS alongside courses05:21 – 06:00 | Final reminder: proof doesn’t start with profitsKey Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Smart PM Career Roadmap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Build Without Permission – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Side Hustle Stories – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Proof & Practice BundleSubscribe to the newsletterDM me on LinkedIn about PMaaS

What if you could rent a PM’s brain? In this episode, I share the idea of PMaaS—Product Management as a Service—and why I’m building it in public.Timestamps:[00:00:38] Why PMaaS? Lessons from incubation and acceleration[00:01:20] The gap: feature-heavy, user-light startups[00:02:42] What PMaaS could look like (validation sprints, MVP roadmaps, prioritization)[00:03:32] Building toward a January 2026 launch[00:03:58] Validation first, iteration over ego, community first[00:04:22] Recap: PMaaS as the bridge between messy ideas and working productsKey Takeaways:Founders need product thinking before they need a full-time PM.PMaaS could fill the gap with lightweight, flexible support.Building in public means inviting community into the process.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

Everyone loves the idea of passive income, but it’s rarely passive when you’re still building. In this solo episode, I share what it really looks like to build on the side while working full-time. Let’s talk about PMaaS, proof, and planting in publicimestamps & Highlights:[00:00:00] The myth of passive income while building[00:01:00] Balancing a full-time job and building PMaaS[00:02:00] Why digital downloads and service offers still need heavy lifting[00:03:13] Teaching is marketing when you have no team[00:04:27] Proof before profit—and why it's uncomfortable[00:06:35] Reflection: share one small proof point this week[00:07:40] Final reminder: you’re planting, not failingKey Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Smart PM Career Roadmap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Build Without Permission – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Side Hustle Stories – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Proof & Practice Bundle

Think your checklist or template isn’t a real product? Think again. In this short solo episode, Naya unpacks why digital products count, and how to turn them into proof.Timestamps & Highlights:[00:00:00] – Digital products are products.[00:00:51] – The SMART PM Roadmap story[00:01:31] – Full product lifecycle without a single line of code[00:02:01] – Templates solve real problems too[00:03:00] – From gap to launch: user research to iteration[00:04:10] – Turn your content into a case study[00:05:18] – Side Hustle Stories & Smart PM Roadmap callout[00:06:12] – You’re not just learning product—you’re becoming itKey Links:⁠⁠Free Smart PM Career Roadmap⁠⁠⁠⁠Build Without Permission – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠Side Hustle Stories – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠Proof & Practice Bundle

Are you tired of one-size-fits-all careers? In this episode, Naya shares how she moved beyond the traditional product path and built a portfolio career that reflects her real life and values.Timestamps & Highlights:[00:00:00] – Intro: nervous, excited, and ready to unpack it all[00:01:10] – Feeling boxed in by a single job title[00:02:01] – What a portfolio career actually is[00:03:45] – How life changes (marriage, motherhood) led to redefining work[00:04:41] – Building proof through courses, roles, and self-driven work[00:06:00] – Starting small with what you already know[00:07:31] – Proof, clarity, and courage over audience size[00:08:25] – Final thoughts + free resourcesKey Links:Free Smart PM Career RoadmapBuild Without Permission – Mini CourseSide Hustle Stories – Mini CourseProof & Practice Bundle

In this season finale of Becoming the Product, Naya reflects on her first 180 days as a Growth Manager, sharing key lessons and milestones in her journey. From building confidence in project scoping on Nifty to validating problem statements and taking on her first go-to-market (GTM) task, Naya discusses how these six months have shaped her approach to product management. She recounts how early challenges in understanding company tools and culture evolved into skills she now confidently applies, emphasizing the importance of iteration, resilience, and adapting to the fast-paced nature of product management. Naya also expresses gratitude for the support from the Becoming the Product community throughout this season, including an award win that validated her commitment to sharing her story. As she looks forward to next season, Naya offers advice for aspiring product managers: embrace iteration, stay curious, and don’t shy away from challenging tasks. Whether you’re just starting out or growing in your career, this episode is a heartfelt conclusion to the season, packed with practical insights and inspiration for the journey ahead.

In this episode of Becoming the Product, Naya is joined by expert guest Dele Tosh to break down the practical steps of transforming a product idea into a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Together, they discuss how to validate ideas before investing significant resources, using no-code tools for early testing, and the importance of staying close to your users during the development process. Dele shares his experiences and insights on the essential considerations for defining the scope of an MVP and selecting features that deliver the most value to early users. Listeners will gain valuable tips on how to use platforms like Google, FlutterFlow, and AI tools to build quickly and efficiently, as well as the key metrics to track once the MVP is live. Whether you’re an aspiring product manager or a solo entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable advice on how to go from concept to launch while navigating the challenges of creating a successful product.

In this episode of Becoming the Product, Naya is joined by Chika, a product manager and mother of two, to explore the unique challenges of balancing parenthood with a demanding product management career. Chika shares her inspiring journey, from facing rejection during her pregnancy to transitioning into product management after starting her career as a virtual assistant. Her story sheds light on the realities of working in tech while raising a family, offering practical strategies for other parents navigating similar challenges. Chika discusses the importance of setting boundaries, using tools like calendars, and prioritizing tasks to stay organized. She also opens up about the value of asking for help and building a supportive network, emphasizing that no parent should feel the need to go through it all alone. Whether you're a parent balancing family and career, or simply interested in hearing how others make it work, this episode is full of valuable insights and heartfelt advice.