Thoughtsonproduct,growth,andthecraftofbuilding.

A curated collection of essays, lessons learned, and frameworks from the trenches. Opinions are my own.

10 July 2026

The Compounding Isn't the AI

I spent three months using Claude Code to ship automation as a Fractional Data Product Manager. 78 sessions, 7 production bots, ~770 tests. Here is what I learned, and what it actually cost.

20 November 2025

What Fractional Product Leadership Has Taught Me

Working across multiple startups simultaneously gives you something that no single role can: pattern recognition at scale. Here is what I have learned, and what I have had to give up.

Impact Connect: Muslim Tech Founders Network

10 September 2025

Why I Built Impact Connect: the Gap in Muslim Tech I Couldn't Ignore

Muslim founders are building remarkable companies. They're just very hard to find. That's the gap Impact Connect is here to close.

18 June 2025

From Founder to VC Fellow: What I Learned Sitting on the Other Side of the Table

After years of pitching, I spent six months evaluating pitches. The shift in perspective was significant, and not always what I expected.

18 February 2025

Why We Sold True Wills (and Why It Was Never About the Money)

We were not looking for an exit. But when we found an acquirer who shared our values and had the resources to take the mission further, the decision became obvious.

15 October 2024

What Co-founding With Non-Technical Partners Actually Taught Me

I was the only technical person in the room. My co-founders were a solicitor and a marketing professional. Here is what building True Wills together actually taught me about product, leadership, and patience.

From Dinner Table to Acquisition: True Wills

20 May 2024

From Dinner Table to Acquisition: How We Built True Wills

In November 2019, a friend pitched me an idea over dinner. Four years later, we had built a platform, run a Ramadan launch, gone through an accelerator, and been acquired. Here is the full story.

24 April 2024

Tracking on Your Startup's Product from Day 1

One of the most common mistakes early founders make is not tracking anything until it's too late. Implementing a robust tracking system from day one can provide invaluable insights.

30 January 2024

Jack of All Trades and Master of None

On the tension between being a generalist and developing genuine depth. Building a SaaS product as a first-time founder often means taking on every role imaginable.

3 July 2023

The Role of Product Management in Early-Stage Startups

A guide for first-time founders on what product management actually means before you have a product team.

19 June 2023

A Beginner's Introduction to Product-Led Growth

What PLG actually means and why it matters for SaaS startups. An overview of product-led growth strategy, examples, and how to pursue it.

12 June 2023

The 5 MVP Types Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know

Not all MVPs are built the same. Understanding the different types of minimum viable products can save you time, money, and a lot of headaches.

7 June 2023

From Idea to Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

How to take your startup idea and validate it quickly with the least effort. A practical guide to building your first MVP.

29 May 2023

Don't Build a Product Nobody Wants

Why first-time founders should prioritise product discovery before writing a single line of code. The costly mistake of building before validating.

Stop Losing Customers: Self-Serve Onboarding

22 May 2023

Stop Losing Customers: How Self-Serve Onboarding Can Improve User Adoption

How building a seamless self-serve onboarding experience can dramatically reduce churn and improve the activation rate for your product.

28 April 2021

The UK's First Islamic Will Portal Is Here

An exciting project I've been fortunate to be part of, helping Muslims in the UK create an Islamic will online in as little as 20 minutes.

16 April 2021

True Wills Co-Founders on the Ramadan FM Milton Keynes

Co-founders Hassan Shoaib and Shabeer Sheffa appeared on the Azhar Sohail show on Ramadan FM to discuss True Wills and Islamic wills.

Breakpoint Podcast: Bringing Delight to Users

12 January 2021

Bringing Delight to Users Through Product Management

On the Breakpoint podcast, I discuss my transition from engineering into product management, my motivations, and my approach to building products people love.

6 November 2020

Mindfulness in Product Management: #JAMOnline2020 Learning

Reflections from JAMOnline2020 on combining mindfulness with product management, two of my favourite topics brought together in one powerful talk.

5 January 2020

Comfort vs Growth Zone

On stepping out of your comfort zone and why growth requires discomfort. A personal reflection on moving through the comfort, fear, and learning zones.