Tobi Talabi.
All workCase study 03/03

Esemie

The web app and the website for an accounting platform designed for small businesses.

Role
Frontend Engineer & Frontend Team Lead
Scope
Web app · Marketing website
Stack
React · TypeScript · Tailwind · Gatsby
Esemie product screenshot

(02) The Context

The problem

  • This was my first project going live with real users — reliability mattered more than pixel-matching.
  • Six distinct business operations had to feel like one cohesive product.
  • A growing frontend team needed to stay consistent across contributions.

(03) My Role

My contribution

  • Built the frontend application from the ground up
  • Translated product and UI designs into functional interfaces
  • Worked with React, TypeScript, and Tailwind CSS
  • Led and coordinated the frontend team
  • Ensured consistency across the application
  • Integrated frontend features with backend services
  • Tested features before release
  • Supported the product through its launch to live users

(04) Two Surfaces

Two surfaces, one product

esemie.io screenshot

Website

esemie.io

The performance-minded, SEO-friendly marketing site that explains the product and brings businesses in.

React · Gatsby

Visit website
app.esemie.io screenshot

Web app

app.esemie.io

The accounting platform businesses use every day.

React · TypeScript · Tailwind CSS

Open web app

(05) The Engineering

Rather than joining an already established product, I was part of the process of turning the product idea and designs into a working application from day one. Every feature went through the same build → test → review → refine loop, with the emphasis on edge cases and real-world reliability, not just matching the design.

01

Build

Turn the design into a working feature.

02

Test

Check edge cases, not just the happy path.

03

Review

A second pair of eyes before it ships.

04

Refine

Fix what real usage surfaces.

⟲ repeat until it holds up for real users

(06) The Product

What it does

Invoicing
Expense Tracking
Budget Management
Financial Reporting
Multi-Currency Invoicing
Team & Stakeholder Access
Esemie product screenshot

(07) Challenges & Decisions

Reliability

The challenge

Real users meant real edge cases.

The decision

Treat "done" as working correctly for real users, not matching the mockup.

Team consistency

The challenge

Several developers building in parallel.

The decision

Coordinate the frontend team's work so contributions stay consistent.

(08) Results

Impact

  • Launched as a live platform
  • My first shipped product with real users
  • My first time leading a frontend team

(09) What I Learned

I stopped thinking of myself as someone who builds interfaces, and started thinking about product ownership, quality, collaboration and real-user outcomes.

Next case study — 01

Ajoti

Fintech