LocalOps.ca
A Community-Driven Solution for Homeowners
The Problem
As homeowners in Ottawa, my co-founders and I recognized a significant challenge in finding reliable and trustworthy service providers. The existing methods, relying on word-of-mouth recommendations, unorganized Excel sheets, and scattered WhatsApp groups, were inefficient and not scalable. We saw a clear need for a centralized, trusted platform to connect homeowners with local professionals.
Key Features
Service Provider Directory
A dedicated platform where service providers could be listed and reviewed, creating a trusted directory for homeowners.
Seamless Connectivity
A system designed to make it easy for homeowners to find and connect with the right professional for their specific needs.
Technology Infrastructure
A robust backend built with PHP and MySQL, hosted on AWS, ensuring scalability and reliability.
Technical Stack
Challenges & Solutions
Balancing Scope with Execution
As the technical co-founder, my primary role was to ensure the technology was "good and easy to build." I guided the team in making technology decisions that allowed us to build the platform efficiently and on time, focusing on practical solutions that could deliver value quickly.
Long-Term Development Planning
The 1.5-year development timeline required strong commitment to long-term planning. I applied core project management skills to ensure the project stayed on track and delivered a high-quality product that met our ambitious goals within the aggressive timeline.
Results
Rapid User Adoption
Within the first year, we attracted nearly 100,000 unique users and views, proving the immense demand for a trusted local service directory.
Revenue Generation
The platform has generated a total revenue of $50,000 CAD in the past two years, demonstrating the viability of our business model.
Successful Launch
The web app was launched in 2023, just 1.5 years after ideation, showcasing the team's ability to execute a complex project efficiently.
Impact & Reflection
LocalOps.ca validated our core assumption about the need for a centralized, trusted platform connecting homeowners with local service providers. The project demonstrated strong product-market fit and showcased my ability to balance technical leadership with practical execution.
This experience reinforced the importance of making technology decisions that prioritize "good and easy to build" solutions, enabling teams to deliver value efficiently while maintaining high quality standards. The success of LocalOps.ca continues to drive revenue and serve the Ottawa community today.