Tandem
Get matched with providers who fit your style, your goals, and your schedule
Context
Background: Tandem began as a rapid prototyping experiment. I wanted to see what I could build in a single day using no-code tools, starting with a simple question: what kind of product could solve a real-world problem and make money quickly?
After exploring different ideas, I focused on a common pain point — finding a coach, tutor, or specialist who truly fits your style and goals. Most platforms are built around task-based transactions. Very few prioritize long-term relationships, personal growth, and fit.
With that in mind, I built Tandem as a lightweight matchmaking tool. It helps users find providers who align with their goals, while giving providers an easy way to manage clients, track progress, and grow their business.
Target Audience: Individuals seeking personal growth, independent service providers.
Project Overview
Project Name: Tandem (Click Here to Access)
Purpose: To explore how quickly I could go from idea to prototype using no-code tools while solving a real-world problem with clear monetization potential.
Tandem was built to help people find the right kind of support, whether physical, mental, or educational, by simplifying how we connect with coaches, tutors, and service providers. It focuses on removing friction, building trust, and making human connections feel more accessible.
Problem Statement
Problem Statement: Finding the right service provider is frustrating and time-consuming. Whether someone is searching for a fitness coach, a tutor, or a wellness expert, the current options are fragmented, overwhelming, and often impersonal. Most platforms prioritize transactions instead of trust, leaving users with too many choices and not enough clarity. Providers are also left without the tools they need to build long-term client relationships.
Tandem solves this by offering a simple and personalized matchmaking experience that connects people to providers who align with their goals, style, and preferences.
Mock KPI Goals:
Time to match: Help users find and message a provider in under 5 minutes
Provider engagement: At least 50 percent of providers log in weekly and respond to messages
Conversion rate: 20 percent of site visitors complete the client intake form
Provider satisfaction: 75 percent or higher satisfaction from a quick dashboard feedback prompt
Prototype build time: Launch a working version of the platform within 24 hours
*Since this is a prototype, mock KPIs and results will be represented as part of this case study
Approach
Research and Analysis
In exploring the opportunity to build a simple and scalable matchmaking platform, I began with a focused objective: create a lightweight MVP that could deliver immediate value, prove demand, and open pathways for monetization. With time as a constraint and clarity as the priority, the approach centered around rapid ideation, user-focused problem definition, and iterative no-code development.
Evaluation of Market Landscape:
To determine the best starting point, I assessed the current landscape of service discovery tools. Platforms like Thumbtack, TaskRabbit, and Yelp offer broad provider access but often prioritize volume over personalization. These platforms are optimized for transactional, one-off tasks, and lack tools for relationship-based services such as coaching, tutoring, or personal development. Many also carry high barriers to entry for new providers, require steep fees, or lack trust-building tools for users.
This evaluation revealed a clear gap in the market: an approachable, trust-first solution for users seeking consistent support, and a lightweight business toolkit for providers working independently or in small teams.
Internal Product Strategy and Framing:
With the target problem identified, I outlined a product strategy focused on speed to value and expandability. The first version of Tandem would focus on fitness and tutoring as early verticals, while establishing a foundation that could scale to include other services like wellness coaching, language instruction, and creative skills training.
Key strategic decisions included:
Starting with a two-sided structure, giving both users and providers tailored experiences
Prioritizing core user journeys like onboarding, matching, and communication
Using a no-code toolset (Bolt.new and Supabase) to reduce build time and increase flexibility
Including basic analytics and communication features to simulate real business utility for providers
Designing a brand and name flexible enough to grow beyond the initial niche
UX and Functional Priorities:
The development of Tandem emphasized simplicity, clarity, and rapid usability. I designed the MVP with the following functional priorities:
A "Match Me" form that collects user preferences across goals, experience level, and availability
A provider sign-up and dashboard experience that includes a schedule view, client list, and quick messaging access
Smart, AI-assisted matching logic that pairs users with appropriate providers based on multiple data points
A clean, modern UI that reflects approachability and professional trust
Outcome:
The initial prototype of Tandem was developed and deployed in under 24 hours. The app includes a functional onboarding flow, basic two-sided matching, a working provider dashboard, and a plan for multiple monetization paths. The process validated that real, usable tools can be created in compressed timeframes when guided by clear goals and user needs.
Strategy Development
Vision:
To simplify the way people discover and connect with service providers by creating a human-centered platform that emphasizes personalization, trust, and ease of use. Tandem aims to empower individuals in their personal growth journeys while giving providers the tools to build sustainable, client-focused businesses.
Objectives:
Personalized Matching: Design a smart intake and matching flow that connects users with providers based on goals, availability, preferences, and communication style.
Two-Sided Experience: Build parallel experiences for users and providers, with tailored features that support discovery, communication, and ongoing engagement.
Provider Tools: Develop a lightweight dashboard for providers that includes appointment scheduling, client management, basic analytics, and messaging.
Trust and Simplicity: Create an intuitive, accessible interface that builds user confidence and lowers friction during onboarding and engagement.
Strategic Approach:
Rapid Prototyping: Use no-code tools like Bolt.new and Supabase to accelerate development, allowing for fast iteration and early user feedback.
User-Led Design: Start with real-world use cases and behaviors, focusing first on categories where personal fit is most critical, such as fitness coaching and tutoring.
Scalable Architecture: Lay the groundwork for expansion into other service categories by keeping the platform structure flexible and industry-agnostic.
AI Integration (Future):
Explore conversational AI to guide users through their goal discovery process and assist with matching logic for deeper personalization.
Expected Outcomes:
Faster Connections: Drastically reduce the time it takes for a user to find and connect with a provider who fits their needs.
Stronger Retention: Enable longer-term relationships between clients and providers by emphasizing compatibility and communication.
Provider Empowerment: Offer independent providers the tools to grow their business without needing a complex tech stack or high platform fees.
Platform Expansion: Position Tandem as a foundational layer for all types of service-based matchmaking, from health and education to wellness and lifestyle.
By following this strategy, Tandem sets out to create a more human, intuitive, and scalable solution for connecting people with the right support — one that can grow alongside its users and providers alike.
Solution
Features/Designs/Technologies
Tandem was thoughtfully designed to help users find service providers who align with their goals, preferences, and lifestyle. The platform streamlines discovery, communication, and client management for both sides of the marketplace. Below is an overview of the core features, design decisions, and technologies implemented:
Backend Infrastructure:
Scalable No-Code Stack: The backend was built using Supabase, providing a flexible, scalable foundation for user authentication, database storage, and real-time updates. This choice enables rapid development while maintaining performance and room for future growth.
Two-Sided Architecture: Separate logic and database schemas were created for users and providers, supporting different onboarding flows, dashboards, and interaction modes. This structure allows the platform to cater to distinct needs while remaining unified under one experience.
Smart Matching Logic: User intake responses are stored and used to match with provider profiles based on availability, service category, goals, and preference tags. Matching logic can later be enhanced with AI to increase personalization as the platform scales.
Integrated Messaging System: Built using Supabase's real-time data capabilities, the messaging system allows providers and clients to communicate directly through their dashboards. This feature supports attachment uploads and provides a record of all interactions.
Frontend Design:
Clean, Modern Interface: The platform uses a minimal and welcoming design system built within Bolt.new. The interface highlights simplicity, approachability, and trust — avoiding clutter and keeping users focused on their next step.
Provider Dashboard: The provider side includes access to upcoming appointments, quick actions like viewing client lists and messages, and analytics visualizations showing client activity and income trends. This interface is designed to offer real utility to independent service providers.
User Intake Flow: Users are guided through a dynamic form that collects their preferences, goals, and availability. This process removes friction and builds trust by demonstrating a thoughtful, personalized approach to matchmaking.
Quick Actions Menu: A floating quick actions bar allows providers to easily switch between messaging, schedule view, and client details, improving usability and supporting daily workflow.
Reporting and Analytics:
Provider Insights Dashboard: Tandem includes a lightweight analytics module for providers, helping them understand weekly client activity, message response times, and average earnings. This data supports business growth and promotes provider engagement.
User Feedback Integration (Future): Planned future updates include a simple feedback mechanism for users to rate their provider experience, which can be used to refine matching algorithms and promote top-rated providers.
Technologies Utilized:
Backend: Supabase for authentication, real-time messaging, and database logic
Frontend: Bolt.new for visual development, layout control, and user flow management
Messaging System: Supabase real-time subscriptions with data syncing between user and provider views
AI (Planned): Future integration of conversational AI for smart intake and provider discovery guidance
Challenges and Iterations
Building Tandem brought forward several key challenges that required creative problem-solving and iterative design. Below is a breakdown of the most notable obstacles and the steps taken to overcome them:
1. Designing for Two Audiences Within One Platform
Challenge: Creating a seamless experience for both users and service providers within a single platform introduced structural complexity. Each group needed different onboarding flows, dashboard views, and actions. Ensuring clarity and ease of use across both journeys, without making the interface feel fragmented or overloaded, was a major design challenge.
Iteration and Solution: The solution involved creating parallel but clearly defined interfaces using conditional logic within the Bolt.new environment. Key actions and navigation elements were separated by role, while shared components like messaging and scheduling were reused with role-specific styling and labels. Ongoing user testing informed adjustments to flow, layout, and content to minimize confusion and guide each audience effectively.
2. Matching Logic Without Advanced AI
Challenge: With no AI integrations implemented in the initial version, matching users with the right providers relied on basic logic based on availability, service type, and preference tags. This made the experience feel more static and less intelligent, especially for users expecting a more personalized recommendation engine.
Iteration and Solution: The team refined the intake form to capture more structured inputs, which enabled smarter filtering on the backend. Tag-based logic and conditional visibility were used to improve match quality. Plans were documented for future AI integration to power a conversational assistant that could assess learning styles, personality fit, and goals more dynamically.
3. Building a Real-Time Messaging System in a No-Code Stack
Challenge: Users and providers needed a way to communicate directly through the platform. Implementing real-time messaging using a no-code stack proved difficult, especially when adding features like attachments and multiple chat threads.
Iteration and Solution: Supabase was used to store and sync messages between users. Real-time data subscriptions were configured to allow message updates to appear instantly within the Bolt interface. For attachments, the system leveraged Supabase storage with unique file links and upload workflows. The final result provided a functional and lightweight communication tool within platform constraints.
4. Supporting Providers With Business Management Tools
Challenge: Independent providers often lack access to business dashboards, analytics, or scheduling tools. Including these features in Tandem meant balancing complexity and usability without turning the MVP into a full-service CRM.
Iteration and Solution: The provider dashboard was designed with just enough features to be useful without overwhelming new users. The initial version includes a weekly schedule view, income tracker, and client list. Visual data cards and quick-action menus offer providers instant access to relevant metrics and tasks. Future updates will add client feedback, performance summaries, and booking history.
5. Visual and Brand Identity for a Flexible Platform
Challenge: Because Tandem started with a focus on fitness and tutoring but plans to expand into broader categories, the branding needed to remain flexible without feeling too generic. Early visuals, such as a barbell icon, made the platform feel narrowly focused.
Iteration and Solution: The brand visuals and tagline were updated to reflect a broader service mission. A new logo concept was created to represent connection and duality, rather than a specific service. Color palettes were shifted from bold fitness tones to a balanced mix of greens and neutrals, signaling growth, trust, and adaptability.
Mock Results and Learnings
Results
Time to Match
Initial Goal: Help users find and message a provider in under 5 minutes
Outcome: The guided intake form and category filters allowed users to complete the matchmaking flow and send their first message in approximately 4 minutes
Provider Engagement
Initial Goal: At least 50 percent of providers log in weekly and respond to messages
Outcome: Simulated behavior tracking suggested that 60 percent of active providers returned within the first week and responded to at least one new client message
Conversion Rate
Initial Goal: 20 percent of site visitors complete the client intake form
Outcome: Early testing with simulated traffic and call-to-action clarity indicated a projected conversion rate of 26 percent
Provider Satisfaction
Initial Goal: 75 percent or higher satisfaction from a quick dashboard feedback prompt
Outcome: Initial usability tests showed a 78 percent positive response for the dashboard, scheduling tools, and messaging clarity
Lessons Learned
The development of Tandem surfaced several valuable insights:
Design for Dual Audiences from the Start: Planning for both user and provider roles early in the process helped avoid rework and ensured the platform delivered value on both sides of the marketplace.
Balance Simplicity with Flexibility: Keeping the intake flow and dashboard tools lightweight made the experience feel approachable, while still allowing room for deeper customization and future feature layering.
Build Fast, Then Refine: Launching a functioning MVP in under 24 hours reinforced the power of rapid prototyping. It also underscored the importance of iterating based on feedback rather than aiming for perfection upfront.
Plan for Scalability Beyond One Industry: Choosing flexible branding, architecture, and matching logic positioned Tandem to expand beyond fitness and tutoring into broader service categories without needing major changes.
Don’t Overbuild the First Version: Staying focused on core functionality—like matching, messaging, and dashboards—helped avoid scope creep and kept the build achievable within 24 hours. Deferring non-essential features made it easier to test the concept, gather feedback, and evolve based on real needs.
These takeaways now guide future builds with a focus on speed, clarity, user input, and scalable design.