LAB-HIRE-SPEC
The spec, on one sheet.
A short scoping pass, then something testable. Here is who the protocol is for, what comes out, and how the run ends. Every run ends the same way the bench does: with a verdict.
| Protocol |
THE STUDIO — App R&D Studio |
| Best for |
SaaS teams testing a new feature or AI layer · Agencies turning client opportunities into tools · Shopify and commerce operators with workflow problems · Founders who need proof before building the full product |
| Output |
Product hypothesis · Working prototype · Market signal · Build/no-build decision |
| Decision |
Kill it, refine it, pilot it, or productize it — logged either way |
the artifact is the deliverable. the deck is not.
LAB-HIRE-02
Studio and Apps work together.
Client R&D sprints fund and sharpen the owned product bench. The Apps portfolio proves BuildWithZach can ship real products, not just advise on them.
Studio: client-facing R&D services
Apps: owned Shopify, SaaS, and deck-builder products
Product bench: active experiments that keep the Studio sharp
LAB-HIRE-LOOP
Same loop I run on my own bench.
Every commission runs the loop: frame the opportunity, shape the product surface, build the artifact, test the signal, then decide whether to kill, refine, pilot, or productize.
01
Frame
Clarify the user, job, workflow, pain, buyer, and business case.
02
Shape
Narrow the promise into a product surface with a clear first milestone.
03
Build
Create the prototype, workflow, dashboard, demo, or AI-powered tool.
04
Test
Collect market, user, stakeholder, or sales signals around the artifact.
05
Decide
Choose the next path: kill it, refine it, pilot it, or productize it.