Gleam

A lesson I've learned:

The hard part isn't writing code.

It's letting go of your assumptions.

A few weeks ago, I thought my biggest challenge was getting more traffic.

So I started posting in Facebook groups, emailing YouTubers, talking to utility companies, and asking homeowners about their experience with solar.

What I expected to hear:

"I wish I had better dashboards."

What I actually heard from them:

"I don't know if I'm saving what I thought I would."

Since then I've shifted from asking:

"How can I show more energy data?"

to

"How can I help people understand the financial return on their home energy investments?"

I'm still very early.

Traffic is small.

But I feel much more confident that I'm walking in the right direction.

I've replaced my incorrect assumptions with real customer insight.

Progress isn't always measured by signups.

It's tempting to think success comes from driving more traffic.

I've spent this week talking to homeowners, emailing YouTubers, reaching out to utility companies, and asking questions in community groups.

The goal isn't to get clicks.

It's to understand where people are struggling, what language they use, and where my assumptions are wrong.

It feels like the fastest way to grow isn't just finding more users—it's aligning the product with the people it's meant to help.

Something that's surprised me while building Gleam:

Every utility provider has its own language.

TOU.
Super Off-Peak.
Peak.
EV rates.
Demand charges.
Baseline credits.
Net metering.
Time-varying export rates.

Homeowner's arent trying to become an energy experts—they just want to know:

"Am I paying more than I need to?"

I'm starting to think the biggest opportunity isn't giving people more energy data.

It's translating an incredibly complicated system into simple recommendations.

That's the product.

Yesterday I spent a few hours talking with EV owners and people interested in home energy.

I learned no one really wants to think about electricity every day.

The people who save the most money aren't constantly checking prices or staring at dashboards. They set up good habits—or even automate them— then forget about it.

Its a great reminder that the goal isn't to give people more charts or more data. It's to help them make better energy decisions with less effort.

Imagine opening your electricity bill and seeing it's $40 higher than last month.

Was it hotter weather?
Did your EV charging change?
Is your utility on a different rate?
Did your solar produce less than usual?

For most people, it's impossible to know without digging through multiple apps and websites.

Understanding your home's energy should be a lot simpler.