Kloovis

This project demonstrates my ability to transform a complex idea into a tangible, scalable solution while remaining adaptable to market realities. A rewarding experience that I’d be happy to discuss further in person.

Building a Second-Hand Marketplace from Scratch

Context

Kloovis was born from the idea of building a second-hand marketplace dedicated to construction products, inspired by the success of platforms like Vinted. The goal was to design an intuitive and engaging platform for the building industry, enabling users to easily buy and sell tools and materials.

Quick Overview

• Tools: Figma, Axure, Slack, Looker Studio, Adobe Premiere Pro, Pitch.com, n8n and many other tools
• Deliverables: Wireframes, Prototypes, User Flows, Experience Map
• Activities: Research, Workshop, Presentation, Mentoring
• Numbers: 1 Project, 4 years, 30+ Team Members, Countless hours
• Platforms: Website

My Role

As a founder, I led the project from concept to implementation, ensuring every aspect was thoughtfully crafted. My responsibilities included:

• Managing research and coordination with all partners, including the development team (Yaksa), cybersecurity experts (Devensys), branding agencies (Lg2), and communication specialists (Jeff Agency).
• Designing complete wireframes and testing all user journeys to validate the user experience.
• Overseeing the creation of the brand identity, including tone, visual guidelines, and communication strategy.
• Steering the project at every stage, from choosing the platform’s name to the technical choice, ensuring its overall coherence.

Problem Statement

Creating a second-hand marketplace for construction posed several unique challenges:

• A digitally inexperienced audience: Users in this industry, often unfamiliar with digital tools, needed a platform that was simple, intuitive, and accessible, even for beginners.
• Transaction complexity: Unlike a traditional e-commerce site, it was necessary to design workflows tailored to peer-to-peer transactions, including listing management, secure payments, logistics and bulk import.
• Ensuring secure exchanges: Adding a robust cybersecurity layer was essential to build user trust.
• Unique positioning: Striking the right balance between accessibility and professionalism to appeal to both amateur and industry professionals.

Objectives

• Build a strong and coherent brand identity to position Kloovis as a reference for second-hand products in the building industry.
• Design a platform tailored to a digitally inexperienced audience, with a simple and clear user experience.
• Develop a scalable platform ready to integrate new features as needs evolve.
• Create robust workflows to simplify peer-to-peer transactions while minimizing friction.

Approach

Research and Analysis

• User interviews. Conducted sessions with building professionals and amateur to understand their needs, habits, and barriers to using a digital platform.
• Competitive analysis. Studied existing platforms like Vinted and other marketplaces to identify best practices and features to adapt to the building sector.
• User journey mapping. Identified paint points and created user flows to simplify every step, from registration to transaction completion.

Design

• Wireframes and prototypes. Created detailed wireframes for each key step, focusing on interface simplicity for easy user adoption. These wireframes were tested to validate their effectiveness with target users.
• Comprehensive workflows. Developed workflows to address varied scenarios, including listing management, secure payments, and order tracking.
• User-centered design. Tailored interfaces to meet the needs of an audience unfamiliar with digital tools, incorporating clear visuals and guided interactions.
• Design system creation. Implemented a modular design system to ensure visual consistency and facilitate the addition of new features.

Collaboration

• Branding and communication. Coordinated with specialized agencies to define the visual identity, brand tone, and communication strategy aligned with Kloovis’s values.
• Development. Worked closely with the development team to transform wireframes and prototypes into a functional and high-performing platform.
• Cybersecurity. Collaborated with cybersecurity experts to integrate robust protocols protecting user data and securing payments.
• Field collaboration. Partnered with an associate, a major player in the building industry with 40 retail locations, to gather valuable, real-world insights for tailoring the platform to professional needs.

Results

• A Successful Launch. Kloovis attracted a vibrant community of professionals and individuals, with thousands of registrations and a wide range of listings across France.
• Strategic Learnings. Despite high adoption rates, sales did not meet initial financial objectives. This provided valuable insights into market dynamics and user expectations.
• A Strategic Pivot. Kloovis transitioned to a product donation model, creating new opportunities and dynamics for the platform. The initial marketplace section is now hidden but remains accessible for demonstrations.

Kloovis was a journey rich in learning, blending innovation, strategic challenges, and a commitment to addressing the needs of a specific market. While the platform evolved to focus on a donation model, it remains a testament to bold vision and meticulous execution, from technical design to building a strong brand identity.