pigybak: from the beginning
Table of Content
In the realm of home improvement, coordinating contractors can be a daunting task. However, from the simplicity of a deck project a state away in West Virginia emerged pigybak, a game-changing application that is revolutionizing contractor coordination.
Chapter 1: A Project Takes Shape
Our story begins with my older sister, Jenny, who truly had Job’s year and to top it off, was saddled with managing Grandma’s home after she passed away – all the way in another state, West Virginia. Repairs needed to be made in order to put the house on the market. Overwhelmed by the contractor search process (from a state away no less), Jenny found herself searching for a reliable solution to compare options and streamline the coordination.
Chapter 2: The Neighborly Connection
Fortuitously, a neighbor of Jenny’s Grandma’s was planning a deck to be built while she was in town. Being the gloriously brazen woman she is, my sister approached and asked for a quote and timing – the original pigybak. Fast forward 1 month and my sister received a photo of the completed deck from a state away. What a relief.
Chapter 3: The Birth of an Idea
As she shared her story with me, wheels turned in my head – this could be automated. This could be easier. This could save SO MUCH TIME, for everyone. I got to work on high level requirements and research to see what else exists – how does this not exist? Contractors and lawn service pros go door to door every summer to get jobs clustered. This would be so much more efficient.
Chapter 4: Nurturing the Concept
Driven by the vision for a kinder, easier world, I delved into comprehensive market research seeking insights from homeowners, contractors, and industry professionals, discovering a widespread need for trustworthy recommendations, quote comparisons, and project visibility – putting my supply chain and product management skills to work.
Chapter 5: Building the pigybak App
Fueled by determination, I assembled a talented team of developers, designers, and industry experts – pulling from the lucky connections to great people I have made along my career. Together, pigybak morphed into a tangible product. Meticulous efforts have been devoted to refining the user experience, creating intuitive interfaces, and implementing robust features based on the identified pain points – ensuring it is accessible to those with vision limitations by using larger fonts and simple, colorblind friendly colors.
Chapter 6: Plan to Market
pigybak is planned to launch in Cleveland in the summer of 2023. Homeowners will be able gain access to a platform where they can post project details, receive competitive quotes from pre-vetted contractors, and track progress. Contractors benefit from increased visibility and connections to potential clients who are also grouped together to get them home to their families sooner. pigybak has a focus on giving back and doing what’s right. 5% of sales will be donated to non-profits supporting communities and the trades, beginning with One Step Ahead of Northeast Ohio. Minority-owned, veteran-owned, and contractors who utilize sustainable practices will be awarded with discounts in the application and highlighted with badges on their profiles.
The origin story of pigybak exemplifies how a simple challenge like a deck project can grow and create ripples that can help so many. pigybak has simplified and enhanced the contractor coordination process, benefiting homeowners and contractors alike while focusing on being a sustainable, equitable, and kinder business. With launch slotted for July 2023, pigybak’s introduction showcases the power of inspiration and perseverance in creating meaningful technological solutions.
oinkers Author
