We’re excited to share we’re launching a new blog series to introduce our readers and fans to the Trulians who work behind the scenes to make the magic happen. Our first in the series is a Q&A with one of Trulia’s busy mobile product managers, Lauren Hirashima, to learn more about her and what inspires her. Read on to learn more about Lauren, and stay tuned for more “Meet the Trulian” posts.
Q: What’s your role at Trulia?
A: I’m the director of mobile product on the consumer team, meaning I focus on all of Trulia’s consumer-facing mobile products for iOS and Android, including wearables.
Q: What inspired you to get into the role of product management?
A: Ever since I was a kid, I loved creating and building things. Growing up I designed and sewed my own clothes and built model cars with my brothers. In college, I was on a team that designed and built a competition robot and competed at Battle Bots. And as an engineer, I worked on a lot of really cool stuff, most of which I can’t talk about. After working in the defense industry for more than seven years, it became clear to me that I wanted to make products that solved real consumer pain points and that could impact people’s lives in a meaningful way.
Q: What was your dream job growing up?
A: I wanted to be in a rock band because I loved the TV show California Dreams, which was about a teen rock band. I even convinced my parents to sign me up for guitar and singing lessons, but I was terrible at both!
Q: If you could have drinks with one tech luminary – dead or alive – whom would it be and why? And, what would your first question be?
A: I just watched and read The Martian, so I have to go imaginary here – I’d pick the character Mark Watney. As he says, he “scienced the s#$&” out of everything, was a “space pirate”, “colonized mars” and could fly like Iron Man. My first question would be (assuming I’m talking to him on Mars), “What would be your first meal on Earth?”
Q: What’s the one gadget or personal tech item you cannot live without and why?
A: It would be too easy to say my iPhone, so I pick my food processor. It makes all kitchen tasks so much easier – chopping onions, making breadcrumbs, grinding meat – and it lets me be a kitchen ninja.
Q: What’s your proudest accomplishment and why?
A: I’d probably say it’s the first real product I ever built – an imaging sensor for military helicopters. Seeing something complex that I designed actually work was absolutely incredible.
Q: If you could master one talent or skill that you don’t have now what would it be and why?
A: I love cooking and experimenting with recipes, but not everything I make always tastes good. So, I want to be able to cook like a 3 Michelin star chef so can I make delicious, inspired meals all the time. Or, I’d want to sing so I can be in a rock band!
Q: If you could have one superpower what would it be and why?
A: I grew up in Hawaii where road trips were typically 45 minutes or less, but they always felt like they took forever. So, I’d want the ability to teleport places so I can travel the world without having to sit in a car or airplane for hours. I can also avoid traffic that way.
Q: If you could time travel, would you go into the future or past and why?
A: I would go into the future so I can play with all of the cool stuff that’s yet to be invented. I’m specifically waiting for a holographic car windshield, so I can see traffic, who’s calling me, texting me, what amenities are around me, you name it.
