Swati Shukla
Ex-McKinsey & Amazon PM | 50+ Startups to Series A | Product, Strategy, GTM
Swati was amazing to talk to, warm, sharp, and genuinely passionate about helping parents. She immediately understood the vision behind ParentMentor and gave thoughtful, practical UX feedback around simplifying the journey for overwhelmed parents, highlighting the value proposition clearly, and building emotional trust from the first page. I loved how she blended empathy with structure, always bringing the discussion back to the mindset of real users. The conversation felt effortless and insightful, and I left feeling confident and inspired. Highly recommend her for product strategy and UX mentorship, she gets both the human and the business side.
Great first session. It helped us land our vision by grounding it in the user journey, especially the emotional layer of the experience. The focus on retained users as the real source of insight was incredibly valuable, that’s where the gold is.
had a great session with Swati. I came in exploring whether to continue in my current role or gain experience under a successful founder while growing my venture, Power. Swati provided thoughtful guidance on both paths and helped me see the value of balancing entrepreneurial learning with building traction in my product. She asked sharp, grounding questions and offered clear, actionable advice on product strategy, market entry, and branding. I especially appreciated her perspective on timing — waiting until I reach a critical mass of customers before making a full transition. Swati also made it clear she’s willing to continue supporting me with strategy and scaling, which makes me excited to book more sessions with her. Highly recommend her if you’re seeking strategic and empathetic guidance on early-stage entrepreneurship.
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Bio
I help founders go from 0 to 1 to scaling specifically from product-market fit to their first 100 paying customers and Series A readiness. WHAT I DO: I specialize in the messy middle stage: You've built a product, maybe have a few users, but you're struggling to: - Find consistent customer acquisition channels - Get your first 10, then 100 paying customers - Price your product correctly - Build a repeatable go-to-market motion - Prepare for Series A fundraising MY BACKGROUND: - McKinsey & Company: Management consulting across multiple industries - Amazon: Senior Product Manager (enterprise & consumer products) - London Business School: MBA in Finance & Private Equity - Columbia Business School: MBA in Entrepreneurship - 14+ years at intersection of product, strategy, and growth HOW I HELP: **For Startups (0-1 Stage):** - Product-market fit validation - MVP scoping and customer discovery - First 100 users acquisition strategy - Pricing and positioning **For Startups (1-10 Stage):** - Go-to-market strategy and execution - Sales process and founder-led sales - Channel strategy (what actually works for YOUR business) - Unit economics and retention **For Startups (Series A Prep):** - Pitch deck and narrative refinement - Investor-ready metrics and dashboards - Growth forecasting and assumptions - Fundraising strategy and intro facilitation WHAT TO EXPECT: My style is hands-on and practical. I don't do generic advice- we'll work on YOUR specific situation with YOUR data. Expect: - Direct feedback (I'll tell you what's working and what's not) - Frameworks you can implement immediately - Follow-up accountability between sessions - Access to templates, resources, and playbooks IDEAL CLIENTS: You're a technical founder with: - Evaluating product-market fit or have a working product (MVP) - Some users/customers (or had them in the past) - Revenue between $0-500K ARR - Stuck on customer acquisition and scaling - Preparing for or already in fundraising conversations Not sure if we're a fit? Book a 15-min call and let's figure it out together.
Expertise
Branding
I guide startups in developing a strong, cohesive brand identity that resonates with their target audience and differentiates them from competitors. This involves crafting a compelling brand story, consistent visual elements, and a clear brand message.
Building a team
Define team needs & goals: Identify roles based on project demands & skill gap assessment for a well-rounded team. Develop your company story: Craft a compelling narrative that showcases your mission, culture, and the opportunity you offer for potential team members.
Career guidance
I help individuals assess their skills and interests, explore career options, and develop strategic plans to achieve their professional goals. This includes resume reviews, interview preparation, and networking strategies to enhance their career prospects.
Conversion rate optimisation
To help improve conversion rates, I start with customer journey mapping, thereby optimizing their user experience and refining their sales funnel to effectively convert visitors into customers. Additionally, we can conduct A/B testing to identify the most effective strategies can lead to better conversion outcomes.
Demand generation
To support startups in demand generation, I guide them in creating targeted marketing campaigns that drive awareness and interest in their products or services. This involves leveraging digital marketing tools and strategies to attract and engage potential customers, ultimately leading to increased sales.
Design / UX
1. Design user-centered interfaces that are intuitive, visually appealing, and meet user needs. 2. Conduct usability testing and iterate on designs to ensure a smooth and delightful user experience.
Go to market strategy
1. Analyze competitor marketing channels and messaging to identify target audience gaps. 2. Craft compelling messaging that resonates with your ideal customer segment.
Growth marketing
1. Track and analyze marketing campaign performance to identify high-impact strategies. 2. A/B test different tactics and optimize campaigns for continuous user acquisition and engagement.
Idea validation
I can be your validation partner! Let's work together to test your startup idea. We'll gather user feedback, build a lean MVP, and craft realistic financial models.
Operations
I advise startups in streamlining processes, implementing efficient systems, and utilizing technology to enhance productivity and reduce overhead costs. This includes training on best practices for project management and operational strategy.
Pricing strategy
To help startups build effective pricing strategies, I guide them in analyzing market conditions, understanding customer value perception, and utilizing pricing models that optimize revenue while remaining competitive. This involves continuous testing and adjustment to adapt to market changes and customer feedback.
Product analytics
I advise startups in implementing tracking tools to collect data on user interactions and product performance. This includes analyzing data to derive actionable insights that can inform product improvements and optimize user engagement.
Product launches
I advise startups on developing comprehensive go-to-market strategies that include positioning, messaging, and targeted marketing to build anticipation and drive initial sales. This also involves coordinating launch activities to ensure a seamless market entry.
Product management
I guide them in defining product vision, prioritizing features, and managing the product lifecycle to align with market needs and business goals. This involves strategic planning, roadmap development, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure successful product outcomes.
Product market fit
Help refine customer personas and identify their needs through user research. 2. Provide feedback on an MVP (minimum viable product) to ensure it effectively addresses those needs.
Product marketing
To support founders in product marketing, I help them develop targeted marketing strategies that highlight product benefits, engage potential customers, and leverage various channels to increase visibility and drive adoption. This includes creating compelling messaging and coordinating launch plans to maximize impact.
User research
I guide startups in designing and conducting qualitative and quantitative studies to gather insights on user needs, behaviors, and preferences. This involves developing effective survey instruments, facilitating user interviews, and analyzing data to inform product development and marketing strategies.
Toolkit
AWS (Amazon Web Services)
6 years of experienceKnowledge of how AWS solutions can be used to solve real-world business problems. Ability to identify opportunities to optimize existing AWS deployments for cost or performance.