Becoming The Product

Hosted by Naya

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Nov 2025

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About the show

My “Becoming the Product Podcast" is an APVA-nominated show about my journey into product management. I share my experiences and insights in a diary-style format, documenting the highs and lows of my journey. This podcast is for aspiring product managers and anyone interested in product management. Whether you're just starting or looking for inspiration, this podcast is for you. New episodes are released every Monday, offering valuable insights and firsthand experiences.

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60 recent

November 10, 2025Episode 206 min

You Are the Product: A New Kind of Résumé

Not every résumé fits on paper. In this reflective episode, Naya explores how proof, process, and storytelling form the foundation of your modern résumé one that evolves with every lesson, pivot, and product you build. Because in the end, you are the product. Timestamps 00:00 – 00:30 — Introduction: “You are the product.” 00:30 – 01:00 — The story of being laid off and discovering the power of documentation. 01:00 – 02:00 — Point 1: Your proof is your portfolio. 02:00 – 02:30 — Point 2: Your process is your brand. 02:30 – 03:30 — Point 3: Your story is your strategy. 03:30 – 05:00 — Product thinking as iteration, not restarting. 05:00 – End — Closing reflections + call to action to audit your proof. Key Takeaways Your résumé isn’t a document; it’s your proof in motion. Proof builds trust faster than credentials. Your process — how you communicate, plan, and execute — is your real brand. Storytelling helps you connect your past to your next pivot. You’re not behind; you’re just iterating. Key Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Smart PM Career Roadmap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Build Without Permission – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Side Hustle Stories – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Proof & Practice Bundle Subscribe to the newsletter DM me on LinkedIn about PMaaS

November 5, 2025Episode 197 min

Is It Too Late to Pivot? (No.)

This week, Naya shares her story of pivoting from banking to tech, and the three truths that helped her rebuild with clarity. If you’ve ever wondered if it’s too late to start again, this one’s for you. Spoiler: It’s not. You’re not behind, you’re just iterating. Timestamps: 0:00 – 1:00 — Intro: What inspired this episode and the myth of “too late.” 1:00 – 1:30 — My layoff story: From banking to blank slate. 1:30 – 2:30 — Discovering tech and realizing I’d been doing “product thinking” all along. 2:30 – 4:30 — Three truths about pivoting: redeeming your past, choosing curiosity, and building clarity through action. 4:30 – 6:00 — Encouragement for anyone feeling behind. 6:00 – End — Call to action and community invites. Key Takeaways: Your past experience is data , not detour. Curiosity can be a valid reason to change direction. Start small; clarity comes from doing. You’re not late. You’re iterating. Key Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Smart PM Career Roadmap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Build Without Permission – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Side Hustle Stories – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Proof & Practice Bundle Subscribe to the newsletter DM me on LinkedIn about PMaaS

October 28, 2025Episode 187 min

Branding as a PM: Less Logos, More Proof

Summary: In this episode, Naya redefines what personal branding means for product managers and creatives. It’s not about logos or aesthetics — it’s about proof . She shares how documenting in real time, building in public, and aligning every creative outlet to a purpose has shaped her brand as a product builder. Key Takeaways: Branding = the proof you leave behind. Progress > perfection. Build a brand that functions, not just exists. Every piece of work you share is a micro-proof. Timestamps: 00:00 – 01:10 → The question: “If your brand disappeared tomorrow, what proof would remain?” 01:10 – 02:45 → Why branding isn’t design, it’s data. 02:45 – 03:20 → Early lessons from documenting in public. 03:20 – 04:15 → Proof is the new branding. 04:15 – 05:30 → Build in public: why people connect with progress. 05:30 – 05:45 → Make your brand functional. 05:45 – 06:30 → You don’t need a rebrand, you need a record. 06:30 – 07:00 → Final thoughts + CTA.

October 20, 2025Episode 178 min

From Idea to Offering: How I Built a Service from My Skillset

In this episode, Naya breaks down how she transformed her product management experience into structured offerings like PMaaS and Side Hustle Stories . She shares how small acts of documentation became data, how structure created clarity, and why proof always comes before scale. Key Takeaways: You don’t start by building a business — you start by building proof. Your patterns reveal your first offer. Structure creates clarity and scale. Test in public — feedback builds confidence. Your experience is your data. Timestamps 00:00 – 02:30 | The surprising start — how documentation turned into a product journey 02:30 – 05:30 | Story: From podcast reflections to building proof 05:30 – 06:00 | Point 1: Start by naming what’s working 06:00 – 06:30 | Point 2: Build structure around your skill 06:30 – 07:00 | Point 3: Show proof before you scale 07:00 – 07:45 | Wrap-up & final reminder: Proof becomes your product 07:45 – 08:30 | CTA: Newsletter, Side Hustle Stories, Dive Africa

October 13, 2025Episode 1610 min

What Founders Teach Me About Product Thinking

In this reflective episode, Naya shares what working with startup founders taught her about real-world product thinking. Beyond frameworks and templates, founders taught her the value of clarity, prioritization, storytelling, and scrappy validation. She connects these lessons to her own journey building PMaaS and preparing for Dive 2025 — Africa’s biggest tech and product conference. Key Takeaways: Clarity is a discipline, not an end goal. Prioritize what matters now — not everything at once. Storytelling is a product strategy. Build with what you have, not what you wish you had. Validation always beats perfection. Timestamps: 00:00 – 01:10 | Founders move fast — intro to today’s topic 01:10 – 03:50 | Observing early-stage founders: from chaos to clarity 03:50 – 05:20 | Lesson 1: Clarity isn’t an outcome, it’s a discipline 05:20 – 06:50 | Lesson 2: Prioritize what matters right now 06:50 – 07:40 | Lesson 3: Storytelling as strategy 07:40 – 08:00 | Lesson 4: Build with what you have 08:00 – 09:00 | Lessons I’ve applied to PMaaS 09:00 – 09:30 | Dive 2025 mention & reflections on community 09:30 – 10:00 | Wrap-up & CTAs Key Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Smart PM Career Roadmap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Build Without Permission – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Side Hustle Stories – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Proof & Practice Bundle Subscribe to the newsletter DM me on LinkedIn about PMaaS The Dive 2025

October 6, 2025Episode 158 min

Why I’m Excited for Product Dive 2025

In this episode, I talk about Product Dive 2025, Africa’s biggest tech and product conference, my role as an ambassador, and what the Becoming the Product community can gain from it. I share why this event is special to me, what to expect, and how to plug in ahead of December. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Something big is happening in December 01:30 – What Product Dive 2025 is all about 04:00 – My role as an ambassador 07:00 – Why this matters to me personally 10:00 – What you can get out of it 13:00 – CTAs + Wrap up Key Takeaways: Product Dive is the #1 tech/product event on the continent. Ambassador roles can be more than promotion — they can be storytelling bridges. This is a prime opportunity to learn, connect, and grow within Africa’s product ecosystem. Key Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Smart PM Career Roadmap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Build Without Permission – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Side Hustle Stories – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Proof & Practice Bundle Subscribe to the newsletter DM me on LinkedIn about PMaaS productdive.com/the-dive-2025-conference

October 5, 2025Episode 146 min

My Most Underrated Career Move: Working in Incubation

In this reflective episode, Naya shares why stepping into incubation was one of her smartest career moves — even if it didn’t look like it at first. She unpacks how working with founders sharpened her product thinking, inspired PMaaS, and gave her strategic positioning that a traditional PM role couldn’t. Key Takeaways: Unconventional pivots can sharpen unique skills and perspectives. Incubation offers deep exposure to multiple products and founders. Acting as a “fractional PM” builds operational clarity and mentorship muscles. Quiet moves often become powerful leverage points later on. Episode 14: My Most Underrated Career Move — Working in Incubation 00:00 – 01:30 | Intro: Bold moves that don’t look bold at first 01:30 – 02:00 | Story: Becoming an incubation manager 02:00 – 03:00 | Point 1: Ecosystem exposure 03:00 – 04:00 | Point 2: Operational clarity & mentorship 04:00 – 05:00 | Point 3: Strategic positioning for PMaaS 05:00 – 06:00 | Wrap-up & reflections Key Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Smart PM Career Roadmap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Build Without Permission – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Side Hustle Stories – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Proof & Practice Bundle Subscribe to the newsletter DM me on LinkedIn about PMaaS

October 5, 2025Episode 136 min

Quiet Building as strategy

In this reflective solo episode, Naya shares why not every season of building needs to be loud. She breaks down her Q3 “quiet season,” the mindset shifts that came with it, and practical ways to document and build intentionally when visibility is low. Key Takeaways: Quiet seasons are powerful for strategy and foundation work Value doesn’t disappear just because it’s not visible Document your journey quietly now — share later when the time is right Silence can be strategy, not stagnation Episode 13: The Quiet Build — Why Not Every Season is Loud 00:00 – 01:30 | Intro: Why quiet seasons matter 01:30 – 02:00 | Story: My unplanned Q3 pause 02:00 – 03:00 | Point 1: Quiet seasons build foundations 03:00 – 04:00 | Point 2: Visibility ≠ value 05:00 – 06:00 | Point 3: Document quietly, share later 6:00 – 6:05 | Wrap up & reminders Key Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Smart PM Career Roadmap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Build Without Permission – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Side Hustle Stories – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Proof & Practice Bundle Subscribe to the newsletter DM me on LinkedIn about PMaaS

October 4, 2025Episode 128 min

How I Use Notion to Run 3 Hustles

In this practical solo episode, Naya shares her Notion system for managing a full portfolio career without a team. From holistic goal planning to project management across multiple hustles, and even using Notion as a website, this is the behind-the-scenes look at her real operating system. Episode 12: How I Use Notion to Run 3 Hustles 00:00 – 00:38 | Introduction: How I manage multiple hustles solo 00:38 – 01:21 | Life before Notion: scattered docs, sticky notes, chaos 01:21 – 03:38 | Building my 2025 dashboard — holistic planning 03:38 – 05:40 | Master Task Database across podcast, PMaaS, content 05:40 – 07:14 | Turning Notion into backend + frontend 07:14 – 08:09 | Why Notion is my COO Key Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Smart PM Career Roadmap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Build Without Permission – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Side Hustle Stories – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Proof & Practice Bundle Subscribe to the newsletter DM me on LinkedIn about PMaaS

October 4, 2025Episode 1112 min

Protecting Peace While Building Ambition

In this reflective solo episode, Naya opens up about the quieter side of ambition, the overwhelm that can come from juggling multiple creative and professional pursuits. She shares three lessons she’s applying this season to protect her peace while continuing to build intentionally: recognizing overload early, creating clear boundaries, and protecting rest and joy. Episode 11: Protecting Peace While Building Ambition 00:00 – 01:03 | Introduction: Ambition can chip away at your peace if unchecked 01:03 – 02:11 | Q3 reality check — overwhelm, disconnect, and hitting pause 02:11 – 05:18 | Lesson 1: Recognizing overload early and identifying signals 05:18 – 07:23 | Lesson 2: Creating containers and boundaries to focus energy 07:23 – 09:55 | Lesson 3: Protecting joy and rest intentionally 09:55 – 11:39 | Reframing expectations & designing sustainable systems 11:39 – 12:31 | Final reminder: Your peace is not optional Key Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Smart PM Career Roadmap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Build Without Permission – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Side Hustle Stories – Mini Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Proof & Practice Bundle Subscribe to the newsletter DM me on LinkedIn about PMaaS