My work is to make things work
CONNECTING VISION TO REALITY
I turn product vision into actionable plans, helping teams stay focused on what matters most and ship solutions users actually want.
I can do
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Once a teacher exploring human learning in China, then a marketer shaping product stories, and later a developer building practical solutions — I’ve walked through different sides of the product world. I solve problems where technology becomes a bridge, not a barrier — designing product strategy and roadmaps that turn user needs into clear outcomes.
Today I work as a Product Manager helping teams launch products that matter, driving discovery, delivery, and impact — from education and psychology to web platforms and community tools. I thrive in multicultural, cross-functional teams where empathy, user research, and rapid iteration shape decisions more than job titles. This is not just a job for me. It’s a way to connect people, technology, and meaning through continuous product thinking.
Today I work as a Product Manager helping teams launch products that matter, driving discovery, delivery, and impact — from education and psychology to web platforms and community tools. I thrive in multicultural, cross-functional teams where empathy, user research, and rapid iteration shape decisions more than job titles. This is not just a job for me. It’s a way to connect people, technology, and meaning through continuous product thinking.
Skills and attainments
All the best things I've got from my work experience and collegue communication
- Product ThinkingI focus on understanding problems deeply before jumping into solutions. My approach balances user empathy, business goals, and execution constraints — always asking, “What’s the simplest thing that delivers real value?”
- Strategic PrioritizationI’m comfortable working with limited time and resources. From building roadmaps to slicing MVPs, I help teams stay focused on what moves the needle — not just what’s shiny or urgent.
- Cross-Functional CollaborationI bridge the gap between stakeholders, designers, and developers. With a background in both tech and communication, I help align goals, unblock teams, and keep momentum without micromanaging.
- Research & ValidationFrom early user interviews to feature feedback loops, I build habits of listening into every project. I’m not afraid to test assumptions, scrap what’s not working, and go back to the root need.
- Technical FluencyHands-on experience with React, Directus, APIs, and infrastructure allows me to speak the team’s language. I help translate product vision into clear implementation steps — without creating tech debt or confusion.
- Remote-Ready & Culturally AwareHaving worked across Russia, China, and international teams, I bring flexibility, clarity, and a global mindset. I adapt fast, communicate proactively, and make sure the “product context” is never lost across time zones.
Notable Experience 2021-2025
As a Product manager
U.N.A. Unique Needs Attention
Idea
Pet owners often face emotional and behavioral challenges that vets alone can’t solve — from separation anxiety to grief. U.N.A. offers dual support by connecting them with both psychologists and certified animal behaviorists through a single, empathetic platform.
Results
Pet owners often face emotional and behavioral challenges that vets alone can’t solve — from separation anxiety to grief. U.N.A. offers dual support by connecting them with both psychologists and certified animal behaviorists through a single, empathetic platform.
Results
- 10+ users signed up for early access during pre-launch, with over half citing behavioral issues that had gone unaddressed elsewhere.
- 80% of testers rated the intake process as more emotionally supportive than typical veterinary platforms.
- Consultations led to measurable improvements in behavior, sleep, and stress management (based on follow-up surveys)...
Modern Blog Stack: React Frontend with Directus CMS on VPS
A clean, headless blog platform built with React, Vercel, and a custom-hosted Directus CMS. I led the architecture, migration, and delivery from Supabase to a fully private, scalable setup.
Launch
Launch
- Migrated blog content from Supabase to Directus CMS, hosted securely on a VPS (Docker + PM2 stack)
- Refactored the frontend in React + Vite, hosted on Vercel for speed and instant previews
- Centralized all data logic in a dedicated API utility (blog.ts), making it easy to scale or swap providers
- Implemented post listing, category filtering, search, and single post view
- Maintained clean TypeScript types across CMS and client logic
- Configured public read-only API access with authentication fallback options for future gated content
Testify
Idea
A lightweight test-building platform for educators who are tired of bloated forms and rigid LMS tools. I built Testify to bring clarity, speed, and user-first UX to online assessments.
Results
A lightweight test-building platform for educators who are tired of bloated forms and rigid LMS tools. I built Testify to bring clarity, speed, and user-first UX to online assessments.
Results
- Achieve 50% capacity of the project tutor's workload in first 10 days
- Email-based delivery and results handling reduced back-and-forth with students by ~40%
- MVP ready for small-scale launch targeting language tutors and subject prep specialists
Why Choose Me?
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Customer-Oriented SolutionsEvery idea goes through layers of validation — the first question is always, “Is this what our users actually need?”
From early interviews to post-launch feedback, I build products by listening before acting. User empathy isn’t a buzzword — it’s a daily habit. -
Tech-Driven, Outcome-FocusedI speak the language of both developers and business — because I’ve been on both sides.
I prototype fast, design clean logic, and cut through technical noise to keep the product moving. Tools are tools — outcomes matter more. -
Built for Real Life, Not Just DecksI’ve shipped and managed products across different countries, cultures, and time zones — for real users, not hypotheticals.
From pet psychology to education tools, I make things that solve messy, emotional, human problems — not just look good in roadmaps.
Practice Areas
Whether you’re validating an idea or scaling an MVP, I help connect user needs with product outcomes — fast.
Understanding what to build — before writing a single line of code.
I run user interviews, define personas, analyze the market, and map pain points to opportunity. It’s about solving real problems, not guessing.
I run user interviews, define personas, analyze the market, and map pain points to opportunity. It’s about solving real problems, not guessing.
Scoping just enough to launch and learn.
I design lean, testable MVPs that prove value early. Prioritization, feature slicing, and roadmap clarity help teams move fast without breaking product sense.
I design lean, testable MVPs that prove value early. Prioritization, feature slicing, and roadmap clarity help teams move fast without breaking product sense.
Making sure we’re not just building the thing right — but building the right thing.
I work with designers and developers to keep the user experience clear, intuitive, and driven by feedback, not assumptions.
I work with designers and developers to keep the user experience clear, intuitive, and driven by feedback, not assumptions.
Speaking dev, translating business.
With hands-on experience in React, Directus, APIs, and CMS integrations, I bridge the gap between product vision and working software — without the overhead.
With hands-on experience in React, Directus, APIs, and CMS integrations, I bridge the gap between product vision and working software — without the overhead.
Get in touch
I would be pleased to discuss your project. I am open to new opportunities and collaborations.
+86 (131) 466-271-54
baranov.si.work@gmail.com
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