We’re all rookies now.

This is the product of not having it all figured out. And sharing anyway.

I wanted a space where things could feel bigger than process. Where creativity, curiosity, and conviction matter. To make room for thought, not just takes. For the in-between moments, not just the frameworks.

That’s what Product Rookies is.

A space to stay curious. To ask better questions. To stay rookie-minded.

Product Rookies is where I:

• Think out loud — first principles, sharp questions, and stories you won’t find anywhere else.

• Connect dots across product, design, AI, philosophy — from frameworks to rabbit holes.

• Explore ideas from veteran-to-rookie builders — the ones still curious enough to rethink everything.

• Treat each issue like a product — intentionally shaped, creatively constrained, and built to inspire.

Some of it’s useful. Some of it’s reflective. All of it’s honest.

I’ll send an issue when I have something useful to share. What it is will change. What it’s chasing, won’t.

Who I am.

Hey — I’m Akash.

I call myself a product rookie, but I’ve led parts of search and personalization at Walmart. Large systems, 0-to-1 launches, big teams, exec rooms, strategy decks, broken things, rebuilt better, and kept learning through it all.

But product isn’t just what I do — it’s where a lot of what I care about collides.

I was born in India, grew up in Abu Dhabi, and moved to the US for college. Different worlds, different codes. It made me curious — about systems, behavior, meaning. I’ve studied economics, business, psychology and analytics. Researched how language shapes value. Worked and built across disciplines.

I’ve always been someone who tries to connect the dots. I ask too many questions. Go deep. Try to see how everything fits.

I’m also a creative at heart. I love film, photography, and design. Aesthetics, rhythm, and voice — all matter to me. They’re part of the story.

I care about how things feel, not just how they function. About connecting the dots across disciplines. About crafting experiences that make people feel something.

Because I believe great products feel like stories.
And great stories feel like truth.