Here's what that looked like in practice:
1
Codebase Deep-Dive
We conducted a thorough technical audit of Troodie's existing mobile MVP.
Reviewed the codebase-in-progress
Flagged potential scalability and maintenance concerns
Offered early safeguards around app performance and data handling
Technical Audit Results
Code Quality
Needs Improvement
Scalability
Medium Risk
Core Functionality
Solid Foundation
2
Tech Stack & Architecture Guidance
We worked with Troodie to ensure that their backend decisions matched their vision not just for today, but for scale.
Recommended technologies that allowed flexibility for evolving features
Suggested infrastructure choices that supported lean iteration
Helped the founder make confident, well-informed decisions without needing to 'speak dev'
Technology Comparison & Review
Mobile Development Options
Flutter
Google
React Native
Meta
Native iOS
Swift
Backend Solutions
Firebase
Google Cloud
Node.js
Custom Backend
3
Product Design & UX Overhaul
We envisioned a design that prioritized usability without sacrificing aesthetics and did justice to Troodie's unique selling points. Here's how we did it:
Implemented a standardized iOS design system to eliminate the visual mismatch across pages.
Bringing professionalism and intuitive flow to every interaction
Decluttered discovery flow by reorganizing all filters and search tools into a single,
easy-to-access area instantly improving usability for diners and influencers alike
Boosted visibility of Troodie's key social and content features (like boards, friend adds,
and
posts) which were buried in the old UX. We surfaced them through a redesigned "Add" landing
page
maximizing discoverability and increasing usage of Troodie's core community tools
We designed to give users the ability to manage their own content directly from their
profile.
Turning a potentially frustrating experience into one that feels simple and gives users a
better
sense of control
Reimagined the app's look and feel to make it feel intuitive and create a sense of
familiarity
even with first time users
Created a clean, consistent UX that reflected the brand's adventurous, foodie-forward
personality
Delivered a high-fidelity, development-ready design system that could scale as features
evolved
UX Improvements
A development roadmap grounded in real strategy
A clearer path to product-market fit
A polished, mobile-first design ready for development handoff
A scalable backend and improved architecture decisions that reduces future technical debt
The app is now in development and unlike most pre-MVPs, it's being built on a validated stack,reviewed
code, and clear design standards
Why It Matters
Most non-technical founders make product decisions based on gut feel or outsourced promises. Troodie
took a different route.
They added strategic tech leadership at the right time - before launch, before redesign, and before
spending 5-6 figures building the wrong thing.
From the Founder
"Before working with Ash and the team at First Turn Innovations, I had a strong vision for
Troodie's interface, but lacked an industry-standard design roadmap in Figma that could guide
development in a scalable, thoughtful way. Her team helped to rebuild and enhance our initial
concept, transforming early MVPs into a polished, user-centric experience in Figma. Thinking of
taking on this task myself was daunting, but I now have a solid foundation we can build on. I
feel more confident that Troodie’s design and user experience are aligned with industry best
practices, which is critical as we prepare for our next stage of growth.”
“Working with a
fractional CTO was incredibly helpful. Having someone who could speak the language of both
product vision and technical execution made a world of difference. She helped to distill complex
decisions into actionable steps, prioritize what mattered most, and translate our ideas into a
product that’s both beautiful and buildable. Her partnership has been invaluable, not just for
the product, but for me personally as a founder.”
Taylor Davis
Founder, Troodie
