Every digital product starts with an idea. It might be a flash of inspiration, a business need, or a challenge that begs to be solved. But turning that idea into a working solution requires more than creativity—it takes structure, collaboration, and someone who can connect all the moving parts. That’s where Product Owners come in.

At Lizard Global, Product Owners are the storytellers and strategists guiding projects from concept to launch. To see what that looks like in practice, let’s explore the journeys of three of our own: Nurul, Cynthia, and Sofia.

Nurul Shamsudin – The Curious Problem-Solver Turning Challenges Into Digital Solutions

From Advertising to Product Ownership

Nurul’s career didn’t begin in tech—it started in the fast-paced world of advertising. Her days were filled with driving traffic to websites and apps, crafting campaigns, and working with digital clients who wanted to make their mark online. But after a while, she found herself drawn to the other side of the funnel.

“When you’re in advertising, you’re often focused on getting people to click through to an app or website,” she explains. “But I kept wondering—what happens next? What experience are they having once they get there? Are we actually helping them achieve what they came to do?” That curiosity became a turning point. When the opportunity arose to join Lizard Global as a Product Owner, Nurul saw it as a chance to answer those questions—and to shape the experiences herself. “It felt like stepping into the heart of the product rather than staying at the edges. I wanted to be closer to the actual solution, not just the campaign driving people toward it.”

The transition wasn’t without its challenges, but Nurul thrived. With her background in advertising, she already knew how to think about users, behavior, and impact. Now, she was putting those insights into action in an entirely new way.

Curiosity and Creativity at the Core

If Nurul had to define herself in a few words, “curious” and “creative” would be at the top of the list—and those qualities shine through in her work every day.

“Every project we take on is a new challenge,” she says. “I love being thrown into different industries and subject matters. One week I might be working on a healthcare solution, and the next it’s fintech or retail. It forces you to stay curious, to ask questions, and to figure out what really matters to the users.”

Her creativity is what transforms those questions into solutions. Whether it’s structuring user stories, brainstorming features with the team, or finding a workaround for a tough client request, she thrives on problem-solving. “It’s not just about building what’s asked for. It’s about thinking, ‘How can we make this simpler, smarter, or more enjoyable for the end user?’ That’s where creativity comes in.”

For Nurul, curiosity and creativity aren’t separate traits—they fuel each other. It’s the combination that keeps her engaged, even when projects are complex or fast-paced.

A Day in the Life

Ask Nurul what a typical day looks like, and she’ll laugh—because no two days are truly the same. But if there’s a common thread, it’s communication.

“My role involves a lot of talking—to clients, to developers, to designers. And then translating all of those conversations into clear user stories.” Mornings might start with a call to align with a client on priorities, followed by a stand-up with the development team. From there, she could be reviewing designs, refining a backlog, or testing new features before release. “It’s a balance between planning what needs to happen next and making sure what’s already in motion is on track.”

Some days are heavier on documentation, while others are packed with meetings. But for Nurul, that unpredictability is part of the appeal. “It never feels repetitive. You’re constantly learning, adapting, and moving between different modes of thinking.”

Why She Loves the Role

So what keeps Nurul motivated after almost three years at Lizard Global? For her, it’s the people and the variety.

“We’ve got such a diverse team here—different nationalities, different perspectives. It makes collaboration really exciting. And because our clients come from so many industries, every project feels fresh. You’re not just doing the same thing over and over again.”

But beyond that, she loves the sense of impact. “In advertising, the outcomes were measured in clicks and conversions. Here, the outcomes are products that people actually use—apps and platforms that solve real problems. There’s a deeper sense of satisfaction in knowing you’re building something meaningful.”

Working with clients is also one of her favorite aspects of the job. “Some of my best memories are simply collaborating with clients and the team. When everyone comes together—clients with their vision, our team with our expertise—that’s when the magic happens.”

What Makes a Great Product Owner?

For Nurul, the fundamentals of being a great Product Owner are as much about mindset as they are about skills. “You have to be able to work under pressure. Things move fast, and you need to stay calm and focused. Communication is huge—because you’re the bridge between clients and the team, clarity is everything.”

She also points to creativity and problem-solving as must-haves. “There are always unexpected challenges. A feature turns out to be more complex than planned, or a client changes their priorities. You have to be open-minded and willing to think outside the box.”

And perhaps most importantly, she mentions fear of failure—not in the sense of being afraid, but in using it as motivation. “A little bit of fear keeps you sharp. It makes you double-check your assumptions, test carefully, and push for the best possible outcome.”

For Nurul, the best Product Owners are the ones who balance confidence with humility—guiding their teams and clients while staying open to learning every day.

Sofia – The Adaptable Multitasker Building Confidence Through Challenges

A Leap Into Tech

For Sofia, the journey into product ownership started during her master’s studies at Hogeschool Rotterdam. “I was about to graduate when my professor mentioned that Lizard Global was looking for a new Product Owner,” she recalls.

Eager to step into the world of technology, she seized the opportunity. What began as a leap of faith quickly turned into a career-defining move. “I was already interested in working in the tech field, so I grabbed the chance—and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I made.”

Learning by Doing

Three years on, Sofia reflects on how much the role has shaped her. She describes product ownership at Lizard Global as a crash course in multitasking and adaptability.

“As a PO, you work on multiple projects, often with different scrum teams. Each team has its own rhythm, its own dynamics. You have to adjust quickly, not just to the project but to the way the team collaborates. That’s what makes the role so unique.”

She’s also learned to see multitasking not as chaos, but as a skill. “It’s one of the most important things a Product Owner needs. You’re constantly balancing tasks, conversations, and priorities. Over time, you get better at it—and that’s when you realize how much you’ve grown.”

Projects That Leave a Mark

When asked about her proudest moments, Sofia lights up. “Aposto is definitely one. With the team we had, we managed to turn the project around and make it great again. It’s something I’ll always be proud of.”

Another milestone was IGGI. “That project is very challenging, but every achievement there feels huge. You learn so much, and the effort really pays off.”

For Sofia, these experiences aren’t just professional highlights—they’re confidence builders. “Each success, big or small, makes you believe a little more in yourself and in the process.”

Why She Loves the Role

What keeps Sofia motivated is the mix of uniqueness and community. “Every project at Lizard is different, so you’re never bored. And the team here is great—you always feel supported, even when things get tough.”

Her fondest memories are often tied to those moments of camaraderie. “Playing ‘Undercover’ with the Rotterdam team is still one of my favorite memories,” she laughs. “It’s those small, fun things that make the job more than just work.”

Advice for the Journey

When asked what advice she’d give to anyone starting as a Product Owner, Sofia doesn’t sugarcoat it: “It will be a rocky but also a happy ride. There will be challenges, but they come with growth. And in the end, you’ll look back and be proud of what you achieved.”

Cynthia Teng – The Empathetic Creator Bringing Ideas to Life Through Collaboration

A Creative Path Into Tech

Cynthia’s journey into the world of tech wasn’t the usual straight line. She started with a love for creativity—sketching, designing, and experimenting with visual ideas. At first, she thought her career would remain firmly planted in the world of marketing. But as she dabbled in projects that blended creativity with digital tools, something clicked.

“I realized marketing was just the doorway,” she recalls. “What excited me more was the bigger picture—understanding how all the moving parts of a product come together, not just how it looks.”

That curiosity eventually guided her toward product ownership. At Lizard Global, she found a space where her creative instincts and her growing fascination with tech could merge. “It felt like I didn’t have to choose between being creative and being strategic. As a Product Owner, you get to be both.”

Bringing Passions Into Work

One of Cynthia’s defining traits is how she infuses her passions into her role. She doesn’t see work as something detached from who she is—it’s an extension of the things she enjoys most.

“I’ve always loved bringing ideas to life,” she explains. “Whether that’s through drawing, storytelling, or now building digital products, it’s about turning imagination into something tangible.”

This mindset shapes the way she approaches client projects. When a client shares a vision, Cynthia immediately begins connecting the dots—how that vision could translate into features, how users might feel interacting with it, and how design and functionality can complement each other.

“It’s very fulfilling to know that something I helped guide isn’t just on paper—it’s an app or a platform people are actually using. That’s when passion and work truly align.”

A Day in the Life

Much like Nurul, Cynthia will tell you no two days are alike—but there’s a rhythm to her role. Her mornings often start with stand-ups, aligning with developers and designers to ensure everyone is moving in the same direction. From there, the day branches out into a mix of tasks: refining user stories, testing features, or syncing with clients.

But it’s not just about ticking tasks off a list. For Cynthia, each day is about bridging creativity with structure. “I like to think of it as weaving. You have all these different threads—client needs, team capacity, design goals—and my job is to weave them together into something cohesive.” That weaving process requires focus, adaptability, and plenty of collaboration. “I might spend one hour deep in documentation and the next brainstorming with designers. It’s that balance that keeps things exciting.”

Why She Values Lizard Global

When asked what makes Lizard Global special, Cynthia doesn’t hesitate—it’s the people. “There’s such a sense of trust here,” she says. “I know that if I bring an idea to the table, it’ll be heard. And when challenges come up, we face them as a team, not as individuals.”

She also appreciates the culture of learning. “You’re encouraged to grow here, to experiment, to take ownership of your work. It’s not just about delivering projects—it’s about becoming better professionals with each one.”

For Cynthia, this environment is what makes her role so rewarding. “It’s not only about the clients we work with, but the team we get to work alongside. That’s where a lot of the joy comes from.”

The Making of a Strong Product Owner

So, what does Cynthia think defines a strong Product Owner? For her, it’s not just about technical know-how—it’s about character. “You need empathy. You’re constantly putting yourself in the shoes of users, clients, and your own team. Without empathy, you can’t build solutions that truly resonate.”

Adaptability comes next. “Things don’t always go as planned—priorities shift, deadlines move, unexpected bugs pop up. A strong Product Owner doesn’t panic. They pivot, they find solutions, they keep the team steady.”

And, of course, communication ties it all together. “You’re the bridge. If you can’t communicate clearly, the whole project risks falling apart. But if you can, then you create alignment, trust, and momentum.”

For Cynthia, strength in this role comes from balancing creativity with structure, vision with pragmatism. “It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being present, responsive, and always moving the product closer to what it’s meant to be.”

The Role of a Product Owner at Lizard Global

At Lizard Global, the Product Owner role isn’t just about managing a backlog—it’s about connecting vision with execution, strategy with creativity, and people with purpose. Each Product Owner brings their own personality and strengths to the role, but together, they showcase how dynamic and multi-faceted product ownership truly is.

For Nurul, being a Product Owner feels like steering a ship through ever-changing waters. Every project has many moving parts—clients with big ideas, developers turning those ideas into code, and designers ensuring the end product feels natural to users. Nurul is the one who keeps all these pieces moving in the same direction.

“I see myself as both a translator and a guide,” she explains. “Clients often come in with visions that are broad or abstract. My job is to break those down into actionable requirements for the team, while never losing sight of what the client ultimately wants to achieve.”

Her days are filled with balancing acts: refining the backlog with developers to ensure clarity, aligning with designers to keep the user in focus, and guiding clients through how each feature contributes to the bigger picture. “It’s challenging because you’re always switching perspectives,” she admits. “But that’s also what makes the role rewarding—bringing clarity where there might otherwise be chaos.”

Cynthia, however, views the role through a slightly different lens. For her, a Product Owner is the thread that holds the fabric of a project together. Without that thread, the work risks unraveling—but with it, everything gains structure and meaning.

“For me, it’s about alignment,” she says. “Everyone—developers, designers, clients, testers—needs to not only understand what we’re building, but why we’re building it. That’s what creates meaningful products.”

Coming from a creative background, Cynthia approaches requirements as more than just tasks. To her, each backlog item is a story that contributes to the larger narrative of the product. Each sprint, each feature, is a chapter moving closer to the final vision. “Sometimes, you’re standing at a crossroads,” she reflects. “One path might make sense to the developers, another to the client, and yet another to the designers. A strong Product Owner has to listen to all sides, then guide everyone toward the solution that best serves the product.”

For her, this balance—between people, priorities, and vision—is what defines the role. “It’s not just project management,” she smiles. “It’s vision-building.”

For Sofia, product ownership is all about adaptability. With multiple projects often running at the same time, she sees the role as an exercise in multitasking and learning to adjust quickly to different teams and dynamics.

“As a PO, you’re constantly switching between projects and scrum teams,” she explains. “Each team has its own rhythm and its own way of working. You have to be adaptable, not just to the project but also to the people you’re working with.”

She sees multitasking as one of the most valuable skills a Product Owner can develop. “You’re juggling tasks, conversations, and priorities all at once,” Sofia says. “It can feel overwhelming at first, but over time, you learn how to manage it—and that’s when you really start to grow.”

Lizard Global Always Ready To Help You Grow Your Business

Product Owners like Nurul, Sofia, and Cynthia are at the core of how Lizard Global transforms ideas into digital solutions. They work hand in hand with our designers, developers, and clients to make sure every product is built with clarity, strategy, and purpose.

Whether you’re a startup with a fresh concept or an established company ready to scale, our Product Owners will guide your journey—ensuring your product is not just built, but built to last.

At Lizard Global, we don’t just deliver software. We deliver solutions that matter. Let’s start the conversation today.