Johanna Abzug Uses AI to Revolutionize Online Sales

Moving and Creating a Sales Platform

Johanna Abzug, faced with the need to sell her furniture during her move from Texas to Spain, decided to create a digital tool to facilitate this process. She describes her project as a kind of online garage sale, a solution she found both complex and satisfying to execute.

Johanna initially tried using existing platforms like Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp to sell her belongings. However, she quickly realized that these platforms did not meet her expectations, particularly due to the lack of engagement from potential buyers. Therefore, she chose to develop her own solution, despite her tendency to opt for more complicated methods.

The Move for Political Reasons

Johanna and her family's move from Texas to Spain was motivated by personal and political reasons. After the birth of their child, she felt the need to leave Texas, a decision she describes as perhaps impulsive but necessary for her family's well-being. This moving project became her priority for over a year.

Faced with the necessity of selling numerous items, Johanna had to assess the value of her possessions. She had more than 200 items to sell, and although she considered donating some of them, she needed to generate income to fund their departure.

The Challenges of Existing Platforms

Johanna's attempts to sell her furniture on Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp proved frustrating. She was overwhelmed by messages from unserious individuals offering ridiculous prices for valuable items. This experience pushed her to seek a more effective alternative.

Not finding an existing solution that met her needs, Johanna decided to create her own platform. This allowed her to bypass the limitations of traditional online selling services.

Creating the Platform

To develop her solution, Johanna used Bubble, a no-code development tool that allows users to design applications by connecting logical elements. She quickly set up a functional prototype, compiling an inventory of her items for sale.

This platform was designed to function like an online garage sale, where users can add multiple items for sale. The goal was to maximize sales within a short timeframe, simplifying the moving process.

Personal Sale Concept

Johanna named her platform a personal pop-up sale. The concept is based on creating an inventory of personal items, sold during a scheduled event. Offers expire after 24 hours, encouraging buyers to commit quickly.

Unlike Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp, transactions on this platform occur without prior discussion with the buyer. Prices are negotiated through offers, and exchanges can involve multiple items, thus separating the transaction from direct messaging.

Inspiration and Results

The name of the platform, Sale Away, was inspired by the singer Enya. Johanna promoted her sale on sites like Nextdoor and Craigslist, attracting fewer than 10 visitors but achieving a significant sale. One transaction alone allowed her to sell over $1,000 worth of goods, facilitating her move.

Reflections on the Project

Despite her initial hesitations to promote her project, Johanna felt the need to finalize it and make it accessible to others. She rebuilt the platform using technologies like ChatGPT and Claude, which have significantly evolved since the creation of her initial prototype.

Johanna emphasizes the difference between designing and building a project. As a designer, she often felt the pressure of deadlines, but the satisfaction of completing a personal project has been immense. Alongside her professional activities, she continues to learn Spanish and care for her six-year-old child.

This project, which she describes as her first useful achievement, would not have been possible without vibe coding, an approach that allowed her to successfully bring her ideas to fruition.