Jen Pomphrey — Byta
Jen is Cofounder and Head of Product at Byta, a platform that enables secure sending and receiving digital audio. …
I would say I've always been a fan of design.
I think it really starts when I was maybe six years old, and my uncle came from Australia, and he introduced me to this wonderful invention called the iPod Nano. On this wonderful little device, he had stored a playlist of about 100 songs that changed my entire experience with music. It was the association of design with music and the experiences and emotions I felt when listening to the music through these devices that initially demonstrated the power and impact of design.
So that was the beginning.
That’s what got me into design.
My day starts with a morning routine: I wake up, pray, read the Bible, do affirmations, visualise, and hydrate. After a shower, I head to a café to begin my workday. I structure my day into 30-90 minute segments. The morning is dedicated to outreach, sales, and meetings around content & marketing. After lunch, I go to the gym for a workout while listening to Spanish podcasts or my own DJ mixes. In the afternoon, I shift into a design flow, working on client projects or leading team meetings. Evenings are for my studio work, such as 3D-printed trainers or other physical products. After dinner, I relax with friends, read books, or play the piano. I end my day speaking with my girlfriend, planning for the next day, and winding down.
I'm inspired by life—by living, taking the scenic route, and capturing the world around me. I have over 90,000 photos on my phone of everything that resonates with me, from a cheeseburger in Soho to a street sign in Shoreditch.
I surround myself with people I love, and we engage in activities that feed the mind, soul, and spirit, like watching classic films, reading books, or attending galleries and concerts. Travel also plays a key role in keeping me inspired—it helps me maintain a sense of childlike wonder by creating new 'first times.' Inspiration, for me, comes from remaining curious and present in the world around me.
I’m looking at my old Nikon Coolpix digital camera. It’s small, fits in your pocket, and has a beautiful, simple design. The point-and-shoot functionality is intuitive, and the warmth of the images it produces gives it a nostalgic charm. Unlike multi-use devices like smartphones, this single-purpose product focuses on doing one thing exceptionally well. Its thoughtful, purposeful design makes it truly delightful to use.
I’m most proud of the shoes I designed. They’re a physical product that is sustainable, 3D-printed, and embody my philosophy of simplifying form while elevating function. The design process began with personal dissatisfaction with traditional shoes, leading me to deconstruct and rethink their construction.
Through trial and error, I created a shoe that is durable, recyclable, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing. Despite being told that the manufacturing method I envisioned was impossible, I persisted and succeeded in creating something truly unique. These shoes will be released later this year, and I’m incredibly excited to share them with the world.
The biggest challenge I face is transitioning my company from offering bespoke products and services to more scalable solutions. Currently, the business consists of a digital design arm and a physical product arm, and we’ve primarily focused on one-to-one approaches.
Moving forward, I’m aiming to create a more scalable model, which requires collaboration, investment, and dynamic customer engagement. It’s an exciting yet challenging process to ensure we maintain the same level of quality while scaling our operations.
Start now. You can do far more than you think with what you already have. Don’t wait for a big investment or a co-sign - begin with the most accessible idea you have and put your work out there. Build momentum and focus on creating a personal connection with your audience.
For your first 100 users or clients, aim to know them personally. This approach not only helps you understand your audience deeply but also builds a foundation for meaningful growth. Design with intention and create an end-to-end process that reflects your values and vision.
The digital side of my studio, Satellite Labs, helps emerging technologies reach mainstream distribution. We’ve worked with brands like Mysten Labs, Muhdo Hub, the Royal College of Art and more to create dynamic and engaging digital experiences that resonate with wide audiences. If you’d like to learn more about our services, feel free to reach out or visit my personal website.
My DMs are open, and I’d be happy to hop on a call or grab a coffee.