Circl

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Designers

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A digital platform that helps boosts entrepreneurs credibility through local connections.

Key Words

Designers

Phoebe Henderson

SUMMARY

My project started with the problem that many business owners encounter: establishing credibility and trust in unfamiliar settings. I investigated how an entrepreneur's reputation is shaped by community validation through research, interviews, and prototype testing. Through endorsements, events, and shared experiences, I created a social platform that links locals and entrepreneurs. This is important because opportunity is built on trust, and entrepreneurs need better tools to earn it in a genuine way.

challenge

Entrepreneurs struggled to gain trust, credibility, and visibility within their local communities. Through interviews and user testing, I discovered gaps such as limited ways to showcase real experience, difficulty connecting with supportive networks, and a lack of platforms that feel personal and community-driven rather than professional or corporate. These needs revealed an opportunity to create a community-driven space where entrepreneurs can build authentic trust through endorsements, engagement, and shared experiences while linking community members and eventually, local businesses.

Outcome

Participation in events, endorsements, and profile features that emphasize genuine experience over polished corporate branding are all part of the platform. This bridges the gap between entrepreneurs and encouraging communities, directly addresses the need for genuine trust-building, and provides a more approachable, human substitute for conventional professional networks. To further motivate commmunity members I added a rewards system to make the online engagement more motivating to further drive meaningful participation.