Freelance Product Owner based in Haarlem, with a love for great products, people & taking photos
Intro, hello world
Product by Ari is the brainchild of me; Arjen Jelsma. An experienced Product Owner, gone freelance in 2021. During the Corona pandamic of the early roaring twenties I not only founded Product by Ari, but also Shot by Ari; my photographer alias. I would consider myself a non-typical Gen Z, millenial or Gen X person. I grew up without real Internet, but matured in the digital world. Best of both right?
2007 - present
Work
For almost a decade an a half, I lived by the ‘be serious at what you do, but don’t take yourself to serious’- credo. And intend to do so for decades to come. Starting with a position in Communications, sidestepping to Marketing and now in Product Management. The consistent factor always being digital and online. I am an experienced all-round fun guy that enjoys to work with people and drives and thrives on energy.
Experience
I’ve held multiple positions at small, medium sized and large companies. All with a digital mindset. Read more about the projects and companies below.
Friesland Campina
In the b2b area, I held the position of Product Owner for the brands Lattiz, Debic and the new Industry Professional website for FrieslandCampina Professional. Dairy is being sold to bakers, chefs, restaurants and coffeebars. Supporting campaigns, a partner portal, creating great frontends and analysing data to enhance the User Experience were part of this assignment. All with a near shore team based in Serbia, and the business located all over the world.
ANWB E-bike
Product Owner for multiple products revolving E-bikes, overseeing a small and agile team and providing a clear focus and roadmap.
Micro Mobility Startup Dott
Product Manager for the digital platforms for the Operations teams of this tech startup. Based in Amsterdam but providing their mobility e-kickscooters throughout Europe.
Simyo
Product Owner for the entire website, my account and the frontend apps.
Tam/Tam
Freelance Concept & Strategy consultant at this award winning digital agency.
LOFT 3D augmented
Marketing Manager for this startup / scale up company which created 3D experience software for the furniture retail market. Mainly focussed on the American market.
Capgemini
Online & Social Business Consultant with a focus on internal use of social media platforms.
NISB
Communications advisor at the Netherlands Institute for Sport & Physical Activity for many projects, including the successful Diabetes type II Lifestyle Program called BeweegKuur.
Noun
Ok, this list is not in order of appearance, because Noun was the last company I worked for before going freelance. From the very beginning of Noun, I was around. The dinosaur they called me the last year. It was great seeing this interim company grow from just the 3 of us, to a double dozen bundle of interim professionals with an Agile mindset. I was a Product Owner, Agile coach, Scrum Master, Buddy, Project Lead, Fellow Founder (at least, that’s how I felt it) and Culture Keeper. After six+ years it was time to move on. I have to be honest it does feel a bit like a break-up.
Want to know more about Shot by Ari, the photographer in Arjen? Check him out on www.shotbyari.nl