I am...a cultural chameleon
a photographer a first-generation American a connector a car fanatic an eternal optimist a polyglot a nature-lover a traveler curious and resourceful a USC Trojan happy on Mondays and always improving I am a Product Manager. |
|
Everything I am, love, do, and have done feeds into my career.
As a first-generation American with Czech roots, I grew up traveling to the Czech Republic annually. Each time I returned, I found less of my favorite goods. The fall of Communism opened the door to Western trade. Stores which sold simple charming products now boasted of formerly-elusive Western brands. Gone were my beloved Lentilky, in favor of M&Ms, and the most stark example was finding the beauty aisle stocked floor-to-ceiling with Pantene Pro V.
I was furious. I expected the Czech products I grew up on and, instead, found an environment with a striking resemblance to the country I came from. I ranted to anyone who would listen, and these conversations shocked me; people were happy. Hell, they were thrilled. Elated! Stores offered a variety of goods they could only dream about before. To them, this was freedom.
I happened to be worlds away from the average Czech consumer, and that was someone previously denied Western goods and who lusted after them. The companies that introduced new products did their homework on entering and catering to the Czech market, and Czechs ate it up.
This experience left its mark. It led to my switch from Mechanical Engineering to Global Business while at USC and has fueled a lifelong curiosity for how brands adapt to foreign markets. Even when I am a customer, it does not mean I am the typical customer. Throughout my life and travels, I focus on this. Knowing products lets you travel the world; you learn another side of people and how their needs and wants differ. Building in response to what you find, as a Product Manager, is the greatest adventure of a career.
I was furious. I expected the Czech products I grew up on and, instead, found an environment with a striking resemblance to the country I came from. I ranted to anyone who would listen, and these conversations shocked me; people were happy. Hell, they were thrilled. Elated! Stores offered a variety of goods they could only dream about before. To them, this was freedom.
I happened to be worlds away from the average Czech consumer, and that was someone previously denied Western goods and who lusted after them. The companies that introduced new products did their homework on entering and catering to the Czech market, and Czechs ate it up.
This experience left its mark. It led to my switch from Mechanical Engineering to Global Business while at USC and has fueled a lifelong curiosity for how brands adapt to foreign markets. Even when I am a customer, it does not mean I am the typical customer. Throughout my life and travels, I focus on this. Knowing products lets you travel the world; you learn another side of people and how their needs and wants differ. Building in response to what you find, as a Product Manager, is the greatest adventure of a career.