Mimi Chat

TL;DR

A chat app that missed the market window.

→ Strong concept, but late timing.
→ Lost to an already published competitor.
→ Key lesson: speed and timing matter as much as execution.

Context

Mimi Chat was a chat application designed for the monday.com marketplace, focused on context-first and efficient communication inside boards.

I started working on it in early 2024, before joining my current role. I collaborated with a senior developer, and it was one of my first projects intended for real-world release.

Approach

I conducted a detailed analysis of existing solutions available on the monday.com marketplace and explored how communication tools were used within the platform. The goal was to create a chat experience that stays close to the context of work, reducing the need to switch between tools. I designed the product and worked closely with engineering on the implementation.

What didn’t work

We returned to the project in early 2026, preparing it for submission.

Within a few hours, the app was rejected.

The reason was simple: a very similar product had already been published months earlier – with strong adoption and positive reviews. Despite a solid technical foundation, the product was no longer differentiated enough to succeed.

What I learned

Shipping matters more than perfection.

Delaying a product – especially in a fast-moving space – can mean losing the opportunity entirely.

I also learned the importance of continuously monitoring the competitive landscape.
I wasn’t prepared for how quickly the situation had changed.

On the positive side, I gained hands-on experience beyond design:

• setting up a company website,
• preparing legal documents (privacy policy, terms of service),
• creating marketing materials (video, slides).

These are things I wouldn’t have learned in a typical corporate role.

In future projects, I focus more on speed, iteration, and validating ideas earlier.