Project Background:

• Founded by serial tech entrepreneur Cindy Engstrom, Solomomo aims to revolutionise the US skincare industry, currently worth $40Billion, by integrating data-driven insights into skincare experiences.

• The project involved creating a high-fidelity prototype for a beauty hub mobile app, designed to provide a comprehensive platform for skincare enthusiasts.

• The prototype needed to integrate with Solomomo’s scanning wand for accurate skin measurements, catering to users' unique skincare needs.

Before we worked with Menu for Success we were not successful! We needed some discipline and rigor and practice guidelines to achieve our goals and we completely lack that talent base on our team. So it was quite a revelation and you know forward driving momentum to get to work with Menu for Success. (Cindy)

The Challenge:

• Required a high-fidelity prototype to pitch to investors, integrating seamlessly with the scanning wand technology.

• Complexity added by the need for cross-platform compatibility, with an initial focus on iOS development.

• The prototype needed to seamlessly connect to Solomomo's scanning wand technology, adding complexity to the discovery process.

• With the goal of pitching to potential investors, there was pressure to deliver a compelling prototype within a tight timeframe.

• Creating a platform that fosters community engagement and revenue opportunities for Med Spas and General Spas.

• Testing the prototype with real target users and collecting meaningful data to inform key development decisions.

The problem we were trying to solve working with Menu for Success was Bridging the Gap between the idea and really driving it to a point where it could be executed. I think that's where many companies get stuck and Menu for Success helped build that bridge through planning, feature prioritisation...all of those things that are required to to have a plan that you can run forward with. (Cindy)

Solution:

• Engaged in a Design Sprint and MVP Discovery process to develop a robust prototype and test it with target users within a challenging time-frame of 6 weeks.

• Prioritised mobile app-first development for iOS, while ensuring flexibility for future expansion to Android platforms.

Impactful Insights:

• The prototype offered a comprehensive beauty hub experience, providing value to users beyond interaction with the scanning wand.

• Identified opportunities for users to access skin reports and other features, enhancing engagement and utility.

• User testing interviews during the Design Sprint phase provided valuable insights for product design and development.

• Identified user preferences and excitement levels, guiding product direction and feature prioritisation.

• The overall UI & UX of the platform had the intended "WOW Factor," with users praising the innovative AI and Beauty Tech approach.

• Users loved the personalised experience and diversity of the platform, expressing excitement about its unique concept and design.

• The prototype addressed Cindy Engstrom's vision of creating a lifestyle approach to beauty, with data-driven plans and measurable milestones.

Efficient Execution:

• Leveraged our structured Design Sprint and MVP Discovery approach to streamline design and decision-making.

• Adapted development strategies to prioritise iOS while laying the groundwork for future platform expansion.

• Leveraged Cindy Engstrom's extensive experience in consumer-facing innovation and passion for the beauty industry to guide the MVP process efficiently.

• Streamlined design process to meet the 6-week timeline while ensuring prototype functionality and user experience excellence.

Client Confidence:

• Solomomo's core values of truthfulness and empowerment were reflected in the collaborative service atmosphere grounded in technology, data and user testing.

• A structured process and clear communication instilled confidence in the client regarding timely and precise prototype delivery.

The thing that made me the happiest about working with Julia was feeling that our goals for our consumers were truly met. We have an extra sensitivity because we're talking about things that people can’t control; you can’t control what you look like, but you can control how you take care of yourself, you can control feeling proud about that. We really don't want this whole new technology that helps with your skin health and your beauty to feel like one more thing that’s really hard. We want to make sure people feel uplifted and heard and pushed a tiny bit. That's what helped the most. (Cindy)

Iterative Enhancement:

• Iterative approach facilitated ongoing refinement and improvement, enhancing the prototype's functionality and usability.

• Continuous feedback loops ensured that the prototype evolved to meet the evolving needs of stakeholders.

Future Direction:

• Positioned the client with a versatile and adaptable prototype, ready for investor pitches and further development.

• Strategic planning for iOS-first development while maintaining flexibility for future platform expansion ensures scalability and market reach.

Since working with Menu for Success we went through a Design Sprint and walked away with a project plan. It's been phenomenal when we start to work with new groups and we say “Hey you can look at all this” and they are like “are you kidding, no one has this when we ramp with a company”. So, it provided us a foundation to remind us what we were committed to for delivering in the end game, it helped onboard other companies and other teams that come in and help us with different efforts which was just as recent as 3 weeks ago for example. (Cindy)