1. Understanding the Bigger Picture

My business education instilled in me a strong understanding of how organizations operate. I learned how departments collaborate, how decisions are made, and how metrics drive growth. This knowledge helps me design with the bigger picture in mind. UX design doesn't exist in a vacuum it's deeply connected to product, marketing, operations, and customer success. When redesigning a website for an educational platform, I didn't just focus on the usability improvements; I also considered how the changes could impact conversion rates, customer retention, and long-term engagement.

2. Communicating UX Insights to Diverse Stakeholders

In the business world, clear and compelling communication is essential. This skill has proven invaluable in my UX career. Presenting research findings to stakeholders from various departments requires tailoring the message to resonate with their unique concerns. It’s also crucial to avoid overwhelming them with UX jargon that may distract from the core message. By focusing on what matters most to each audience I ensure that the insights are understood and actionable.

3. Fostering Cross-Functional Collaboration

One of the key insights I brought from my business background is the importance of collaborating across teams. In business, success is rarely the result of a single department working in isolation. The same holds true in UX design. Whether it’s working with marketing, product, or engineering, building strong relationships with cross-functional teams is essential to delivering a cohesive user experience that aligns with organizational goals.

4. Adopting an Agile, Iterative Mindset

In business, agility and adaptability are key to staying competitive. I've carried that mindset into my UX practice. I keep my design processes iterative, allowing for quick testing, feedback collection, and adjustments. I often use low-fidelity prototypes early in the process to test hypotheses, validate assumptions, and ensure we're on the right path before investing more resources.

5. Human-Centered Design with a Business Lens

Ultimately, great UX isn't just about intuitive interfaces it's about creating experiences that are useful, easy to use, and valuable for both users and the business. My background helps me empathize with users while also thinking about business success. When designing features, I ask: How does this solve a user problem? How does it contribute to the company's goals? How can we track its impact?

The intersection of business and UX design has taught me that empathy and strategy go hand in hand. By understanding the needs of both users and businesses, I can create experiences that resonate on a human level while driving measurable success. My journey from business to UX has equipped me with a toolkit of skills that allow me to navigate the complexities of cross-functional collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and impactful design. And it's a journey I'm excited to continue.