At OrangeKarma I led key initiatives to shape the product and messaging strategy for Strivers United, a membership program supporting Harlem and New York City’s pickleball community. I conducted field research by visiting public courts and hosting video calls with players, coaches, and club operators to understand their needs and pain points. From these insights I developed stakeholder personas and crafted a differentiated value proposition for each group. I then designed the organization’s early go‑to‑market strategy, including a catalog of potential partner benefits and a survey to gather product feedback. This work supported Strivers United’s mission to build an inclusive community and expand access to recreational spaces for all.

My concentration in marketing at Columbia Business School informed much of my work. I applied the segmentation, targeting, and positioning framework to develop player personas and used principles from behavioral economics to understand stakeholders’ psychological motivations. Coursework in Top Management Process helped me appreciate the multiple roles a founder plays when making critical decisions, and my background in market research and survey design allowed me to craft questions that yielded actionable insights. I also experimented with AI tools such as Notion for project management and used digital market‑research functions to enrich my analyses. This combination of academic and professional skills enabled me to deliver well‑structured recommendations.

Adjusting to a very early‑stage start‑up was challenging. Coming from a structured corporate background, I initially struggled with the ambiguity and fluid priorities of a nascent organization. Tasks often lacked clear parameters, and I had to define project scopes, identify opportunities, and execute with limited resources. I learned to be proactive, self‑directed, and flexible, and I honed my ability to clarify expectations and align stakeholders in a rapidly changing environment.

The internship taught me that inclusive product design begins with empathy and community engagement. By listening to players’ stories and understanding their needs, we can create offerings that reflect local realities and uplift underserved groups. I enjoyed experimenting with new ideas and building a membership program from the ground up. The experience reinforced my interest in mission‑driven entrepreneurship but also made me recognize that I thrive when there is more structure and cross‑functional collaboration. I plan to use these insights as I continue exploring opportunities at the intersection of marketing, community development, and social impact.