In this episode of Product Founder, Amir Rezaei sits down with Carlos Gonzales de Villaumbrosia, founder and CEO of Product School, to unpack the incredible journey of building one of the largest online communities for product professionals, now over 2 million strong.

From Bootstrapped Beginnings to Global Reach

Carlos shares how he bootstrapped Product School from the ground up, without external funding, focusing on profitability and long-term sustainability. His approach to entrepreneurship emphasizes lean operations, strong fundamentals, and a commitment to empowering professionals through education.

The Rise of Product Management as a Core Business Function

As product management matures into a mission-critical role, Carlos discusses how companies are elevating the position of product teams, often assigning them accountability for revenue growth and strategic execution. The emergence of the Chief Product Officer role is just one indicator of how central product thinking has become.

Building a Community of Over 2 Million Product Professionals

A key part of Product School’s success lies in its vibrant community. Carlos reveals the philosophy behind scaling this global network of product managers, and how it contributes to the ongoing career development and skills advancement of its members.

The Evolving Role of the Product Manager

Carlos and Amir explore how the expectations for product managers are rapidly changing. Today’s PMs must possess technical fluency, strong communication, and increasing business acumen. The conversation touches on conflict resolution, particularly with engineering teams, and how PMs can better navigate these critical relationships.

AI, Lifelong Learning, and the Future of the Industry

With AI integration reshaping workflows and decision-making, Carlos emphasizes the importance of adaptability and lifelong learning. He shares how product professionals can remain competitive by developing strategic thinking, embracing continuous education, and staying attuned to technological shifts.

Product School’s Expanding Vision

The episode concludes with insights into the expansion of Product School’s offerings, including new formats, certifications, and competency models designed to help product managers excel in a changing world. Carlos remains committed to evolving alongside the industry and continuing to deliver high-impact, accessible training to the global product community.