The Acquired podcast, known for its deep research and comprehensive analysis of company stories, frequently references valuable books and resources throughout its episodes. However, listeners faced a significant challenge: these recommendations were scattered across hundreds of episodes, making it difficult to discover and access these learning materials efficiently. There was no central repository where listeners could explore all referenced resources, limiting the educational impact of the podcast's rich content.

As the sole developer of this project, I took complete ownership from conception to deployment. This included initial planning, technical architecture decisions, development, and ongoing maintenance. The project showcased my ability to identify community needs, leverage modern development tools, and ship valuable features efficiently.

I implemented a rapid development approach leveraging AI-powered development tools for maximum efficiency:

1. Frontend Development (MVP)

• Used V0 to rapidly scaffold the initial Next.js website structure
• Leveraged Cursor AI-powered IDE for efficient code completion and refinement
• Created responsive UI components with TailwindCSS
• Implemented an intuitive horizontal scrolling interface for book discovery

2. Data Pipeline Implementation

• Developed a manual data management system using JSON
• Integrated with Open Library API for book metadata enrichment
• Built robust fallback systems for missing data

3. Testing & Deployment:

• Set up automated testing workflows
• Deployed to Vercel for reliable hosting
• Implemented monitoring for API usage and performance

• Frontend: Next.js with TypeScript for type safety and improved development experiencene
• Styling: TailwindCSS for rapid UI development and consistent design
• Data Management: Static site generation with JSON for optimal performance
• API Integration: Open Library API with rate limiting and caching
• Deployment: Vercel for automated deployment and hosting

The project has demonstrated significant impact since launch:

• Attracted over 10,000 visitors in the first two months
• Created a searchable database of podcast-referenced books
• Contributed a valuable resource to the Acquired podcast community
• Successfully automated the resource discovery process for listeners

• AI-Powered Development: Strategic use of V0 for scaffolding and Cursor IDE for development significantly accelerated project delivery while maintaining code quality.
• Community Focus: Understanding and addressing specific community needs leads to higher user engagement.
• Technical Architecture: Choosing a modern, maintainable tech stack enables quick iterations and reliable performance.
• Solo Development: Effective planning and tool selection are crucial for successful solo project execution.