How I Generated $10m in Annual Revenue as a 25-year-old Product Manager

My journey into the role of Product Manager at EVERFI at the age of 25 was not just a leap in my career but a culmination of my entrepreneurial endeavors and industry recognition. As a three-time founder, I brought a wealth of experience, including being recognized by NY Weekly for pioneering the first AR marketplace for indie sellers – think Etsy meets AR. This entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with my early achievements like scoring my first product manager role at 19 in a startup that was featured on TechCrunch, set the stage for my success at EVERFI.

Taking on the role of Product Manager at EVERFI was a significant milestone after I had just finished grad school. I had completed about 40 interviews before being offered the role at EVERFI. Coming back to a competitive field was daunting but it was the start of a movement for me. Being the youngest PM the company had ever brought on board, I was entrusted with overseeing their largest product line, valued at approximately $6 million. This line stood out, especially considering that most other product lines in the company fell within the $25k to $50k range. The weight of responsibility in managing the company's primary product line emphasized the recognition of my abilities and potential by my superiors, fostering an environment of trust and respect. 

This environment empowered me to drive strategic decision-making and introduce innovative solutions that directly influenced our business objectives. The outcome? An impressive additional $10 million in annual revenue, largely attributed to the enhancements made to the user experience of our flagship product.

Okay, let’s get into it. What follows are the cornerstone experiences and strategies that fueled my achievements with EVERFI. I believe that product managers everywhere would do well to take notes.

The Power of Trust and Leadership

I’ll start by saying that my tenure at EVERFI was significantly shaped by the support and confidence of my boss. In a world where young, Black, female, and disabled professionals are often underestimated, having a leader who believed in my potential made all the difference. 

I wish that more executives and managers understood the importance of fostering supportive and encouraging work environments. Do you really think your team is going to produce their best work under fear of reprimand?...

This trust wasn't just empowering; it was transformative. It gave me the room to breathe, grow, and lead with conviction. This experience underscored the profound impact that I believe supportive leadership has in recognizing and advancing underrepresented talent. 

Strategic Leadership and Team Management

Managing a diverse team of over 20 engineers, designers, and subject matter experts, I embraced a collaborative leadership style. Together, we made it our shared mission to elevate the product line from $6M to $10M in revenue.

We launched 15 new games and tools for the company, but the secret to our success went deeper than just the products. It was about cultivating a shared vision, where every team member felt valued and motivated to contribute their best. 

We feel truly a part of a team, when the objective is clear and everyone feels they have a role to play–that’s when the magic starts to happen. Twenty minds is better than one. Twenty minds working together on a shared vision, complimenting each other–that’s when productivity shoots to unforeseen heights. 

Innovation at the Forefront

We embarked on a monumental endeavor when we created WORD Force, a revolutionary game series designed to transform the way children learn. This project was no small feat, comprising 15 games, each containing 5 levels that progressively challenge learners to unlock new content as they master various topics.

One of the standout features of WORD Force is its accessibility. Thanks to Truist's generous sponsorship, the game is entirely free for all children, eliminating financial barriers and ensuring that every young learner can benefit from its educational value.

So, what can players expect to learn while engaging with WORD Force? The game is meticulously crafted to enhance key reading skills, making it a comprehensive tool for literacy development. Here's a breakdown of the skills learners will practice:

Phonological Awareness: Players will sharpen their ability to recognize and understand the sounds of language, including rhyming words (e.g., cat, sat).

Phonics: Through interactive activities, learners will assemble alphabet letters to form written words, strengthening their grasp of phonics principles.

Spelling: The game challenges players to spell words correctly, reinforcing fundamental vocabulary like cat, sock, bike, and rain.

Vocabulary Building: WORD Force encourages the acquisition and application of a wide range of words, expanding players' language proficiency.

Reading Comprehension: Engaging stories and activities within the game promote comprehension skills, helping players grasp the meaning of narratives and develop a deeper understanding of texts.

Behind the scenes, our development team implemented innovative strategies to ensure WORD Force's success and impact. We prioritized user engagement, reaching an astounding 46 million students through strategic initiatives such as integrating a new video player and introducing a gradebook feature. These were not just technical upgrades but calculated moves to enhance the learning experience.

Furthermore, we didn't shy away from taking bold steps to push boundaries and foster innovation. Securing a $45,000 development fund for an in-app eBook library and increasing our user research team's budget by 30% were pivotal decisions that allowed us to gain deeper insights into user needs and behaviors.

As a product manager, I firmly believe in challenging conventional norms and embracing innovative thinking. Sometimes, it's necessary to abandon familiar methods and explore new avenues to achieve our goals. Innovation isn't just a buzzword; it's a fundamental pillar of strategic planning that drives us to continuously improve and adapt to meet evolving needs. Encouraging risk-taking and fostering a culture of innovation are essential for driving progress and staying ahead in the ever-changing landscape of educational technology.

Data-Driven Decisions and Diverse Educational Offerings

Our approach was steadfastly rooted in data, as I firmly believe that a robust product strategy must rely on data-driven insights. Data acts as a guiding light, revealing critical issues and providing clarity in decision-making processes. Just as one wouldn't build a house in the darkness of night, we harnessed the power of data to illuminate our path forward.

Leading the charge in implementing comprehensive analytics for both web and mobile applications empowered us to make informed decisions that led to significant enhancements in user experience. Through data analytics, we gained deep insights into the desires, needs, and expectations of our user base. This wealth of information became the cornerstone for creating products that truly resonated with our customers.

An exemplary demonstration of our data-driven approach was the launch of new courses such as Crypto Foundations and African American History, driven by user sentiment analysis. These additions not only allowed us to reach a broader audience but also highlighted our dedication to diversifying and enriching our educational content, reflecting our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our users.

Technical Excellence and Quality Assurance

After completing the WORD Force project, I was entrusted with maintaining the technical integrity of our products, a role that came with significant responsibilities. This experience was particularly meaningful due to my prior founder experience, where I developed a Content Management System (CMS) for my AR ecommerce startup. It taught me invaluable lessons about ownership and fueled my desire for more technical challenges.

Ensuring the technical integrity of our products was paramount. This included managing the complexities of a custom CMS, ensuring seamless course uploads, and overseeing content management processes to maintain our standards of operational excellence.

Furthermore, we placed a strong emphasis on creating detailed technical documentation and implementing a robust Quality Assurance (QA) plan. These efforts were instrumental in enhancing the user experience during the migration of 80 courses to a custom-built platform. Our commitment to quality assurance became a guiding principle, highlighting the importance of thorough testing and validation to ensure our products met the highest standards of functionality and usability.

Reflecting on the Journey

Reflecting on my journey at EVERFI, I can't help but emphasize that it was far more than just a job—it became a transformative experience that instilled in me the confidence to set ambitious goals and pursue grander dreams. It served as a powerful affirmation of the belief that, with effective and inclusive leadership, individuals like myself—a Gen Z, Black, disabled woman—can not only thrive in the tech industry but also excel and deliver exceptional results.

During my tenure, I witnessed firsthand the immense impact that occurs when decision-makers in corporate settings or venture capital circles look beyond stereotypes and misconceptions about what constitutes a successful tech innovator. By disregarding preconceived notions about appearance, speech, attire, behavior, age, or educational background, they open doors for traditionally overlooked or marginalized professionals to lead with purpose, innovate meaningfully, and drive significant business outcomes.

The challenges and goals I faced at EVERFI were instrumental in shaping my professional journey. They not only pushed me to achieve tangible milestones but also fueled my determination to aim higher and inspire others by sharing my story. It's essential for young, underrepresented individuals in the tech realm to realize their full potential and never compromise on their aspirations. My experiences at EVERFI reinforced this message and motivated me to become an advocate for inclusivity and opportunity in the tech industry.

Moreover, my time at EVERFI highlighted the importance of having the right support system, a well-defined strategy, and a cohesive team. These elements played a pivotal role in my accomplishments and serve as a testament to the notion that extraordinary achievements are indeed attainable with the proper resources and a dedicated team effort.

To My Fellow Innovators

To the young techies from marginalized backgrounds: let my story be a beacon of hope and a reminder of your boundless potential. Your path may be fraught with challenges, but remember, the power of collaboration, adaptability, user-centricity, and effective communication will guide you through. Embrace your unique strengths, leverage data to make informed decisions, and never stop learning!

In closing, my journey at EVERFI, culminating in generating $10m in annual revenue, was a convergence of leadership, innovation, and strategic execution. It stands as a powerful narrative of how embracing diversity, fostering a culture of trust, and leading with a data-driven approach can propel us to achieve remarkable feats. 

To those embarking on a similar path, remember: the challenges you face today are the stepping stones to your future achievements. Lead with conviction, innovate with purpose, and let your journey inspire the next generation of tech leaders.