ABOUT PROJECT
Cordially was created with one clear mission – to take the stress out of party planning and turn it into something effortless, fun, and, well… cordial. The platform connects people who want to host unforgettable events with professionals and suppliers who make it all happen. Whether it’s renting elegant tableware for a wedding, hiring a private chef for an intimate dinner, or booking a team of animators for a child’s birthday, Cordially brings everything together in one intuitive marketplace. It’s a digital ecosystem designed to make celebrations smoother, faster, and far more personal.
Behind this vibrant idea stands Beatriz Bush, a visionary founder who saw how fragmented and chaotic event planning could be. Her ambition was to build a space where creativity meets convenience – a marketplace that empowers both service providers and clients to collaborate seamlessly. With Cordially, Beatriz transformed a traditionally stressful process into a user-friendly, joy-driven experience that celebrates not just the event itself, but every moment of preparation leading up to it.
Key Challenges
During the development of Cordially, the Roobykon team faced an interesting set of technical nuances rather than traditional roadblocks. The initial project stage unfolded smoothly: communication with the client was consistent, clear, and highly efficient. Estimates, discussions, and approvals moved forward at an impressive pace, allowing the platform to be delivered and launched without delays. However, the real challenge emerged later, when the Sharetribe Template was updated, and we began testing the compatibility of our earlier custom functionality with the new version.
This was the moment when the team had to navigate a classic dilemma of custom versus default logic. The updated Sharetribe template introduced one of the client’s core requirements – the ability to set different prices within listings. Since our developers had already implemented a similar feature through custom code, the two versions began to conflict. The solution required thoughtful coordination with the client and multiple iterations of testing and refinement to ensure both stability and consistency.
TECHNOLOGY STACK
Solution Highlights
To bring Cordially to life, the Roobykon team chose a technology stack that balanced scalability, flexibility, and long-term maintainability. The marketplace was built on the Sharetribe Web Template, providing a solid and reliable foundation for multi-vendor functionality, seamless user experience, and quick time-to-market. Leveraging React.js and Redux, our developers crafted a responsive, dynamic frontend that ensures smooth navigation and real-time interactivity. React Router and Final Form were integrated to create an intuitive user flow, ensuring every interaction (from browsing listings to completing a booking) feels natural and effortless.
On the backend, Roobykon implemented a robust architecture powered by Node.js, Express, and Core API, ensuring fast data processing, secure transactions, and easy future scalability. This setup allowed Cordially to handle complex service listings, flexible pricing logic, and user communication features efficiently. The result is a well-orchestrated ecosystem where all components – frontend and backend alike – work harmoniously to deliver a frictionless, high-performance marketplace experience for both hosts and service providers.
THE PROCESS
01
Requirement gathering and analysis (September 2024): Although the project arrived with a ready-made design, we began by thoroughly analyzing the client’s needs and existing setup. Our focus was on understanding which functionalities required customization, how listings and transactional processes should work, and identifying opportunities to enhance user experience. This initial analysis ensured that all subsequent development would align perfectly with the client’s goals.
02
Design customization and functionality implementation (October – December 2024): With the design in hand, we focused on implementing the platform’s core features. We updated the logic for the three types of listings, refined transactional processes, and integrated custom functionalities that matched the client’s requirements. Styling adjustments were also applied to ensure the platform reflected the client’s brand identity while maintaining usability across devices.
03
Testing and iterative improvements (December 2024 – January 2025): After the initial implementation, we rigorously tested all features, ensuring seamless performance and smooth user interactions. Feedback from the client was incorporated immediately, with refinements to both functionality and appearance. The platform was officially published on January 8, 2025, delivering a stable and user-friendly marketplace.
04
Post-launch adjustments and functionality recovery (Spring 2025): In early spring, the client requested the return of some features that had been previously removed. Roobykon carefully reintegrated these functionalities, ensuring they worked flawlessly within the existing system while maintaining the overall stability of the platform.
05
Sharetribe Template update and final integration (Summer 2025): In early summer, the client asked us to update the Sharetribe template to its latest version to leverage new built-in features, including the crucial ability to set different prices in listings. This required reconciling our custom code with the default template logic, testing multiple scenarios, and finally publishing a fully integrated and updated production version of Cordially.
Main Features
Enhanced product listings functionality
Roobykon expanded the standard Sharetribe listing logic to allow clients to specify the day and time of product delivery. For example, when ordering a cake, instead of only selecting the quantity as in the default Sharetribe setup, customers can now choose the exact date and time for delivery. This customization makes the ordering process much more flexible and aligned with real-life scheduling needs, providing a smoother experience for both buyers and providers.
Options & add-ons
We introduced a feature that allows providers to add customizable options and add-ons to their listings. Using the cake example, a provider can offer different flavors – each with its own price, and add decorative elements like flowers, glaze, or figurines. Additionally, we restored the functionality that lets buyers select multiple quantities of add-ons, giving clients full control over their customizations and allowing providers to offer more complex product variations.
Sharetribe Web Template update
Updating the Sharetribe Web Template to the latest version was a technically intensive task, due to the number of custom functionalities already implemented. Conflicts between custom code and the new default template had to be carefully resolved, requiring extensive testing and multiple iterations. Despite the initial uncertainty, with estimated work ranging from 16 to 40 hours, the Roobykon team successfully completed the update, ensuring full compatibility and maintaining all client-requested features.
RESULTS
Working with Cordially was a truly smooth and enjoyable experience for the Roobykon team. All communication happened through Slack, and the client was always reachable during her working hours in California, which made coordinating quick decisions and answering questions effortless.
In addition to daily communication, we held weekly calls to review completed work, discuss next steps, and align on priorities. This structured yet flexible approach ensured transparency, minimized misunderstandings, and allowed the team to respond promptly to evolving requirements. The result was features delivered on time, fully functional, and tailored to the client’s vision, making the entire development experience both professional and collaborative.
Lessons from Rent From Locals
Even though the project started smoothly, we quickly realized that maintaining custom functionality while updating the Sharetribe template would require careful planning, clear communication, and multiple rounds of testing. It taught us the importance of balancing client needs with technical constraints, and how a proactive approach to problem-solving can turn potential conflicts into opportunities for improvement.
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