We like to say that building Vandra involves a lot of “research and development,” which, conveniently, sometimes looks like going out and having a really good time. One of our most official experiments took place at the Rady Shell, where Wian and I went to see Black Coffee; strictly for scientific purposes, of course.
We wanted to see how our lollipops felt in a real experience. Not in the laboratory. Not in our office. At a real event, with real energy, real music, and people around us who were there for the same reason we were, to enjoy the night. It felt important to step into the exact environment we imagine Vandra living in, not just as founders, but as users.
Our experience was honestly kind of perfect. The lollipop didn’t hit in an overwhelming or obvious way, it was subtle, smooth, almost like you don’t notice it working until you realize you feel really good. As the night went on, instead of fading like we normally would, we stayed present, light, and energized. The music felt better, the atmosphere felt richer, and we weren’t thinking about when to leave, we were fully in it.
There’s always that moment at events where your energy dips and you start negotiating with yourself about going home, and that moment came… but it didn’t last. The Vandra lollipop carried us through it in a way that felt natural, not forced. We weren’t wired or overstimulated, just awake, happy, and able to keep enjoying what was happening around us. At one point we realized we had been there for hours longer than we expected, still dancing, still engaged, and honestly just laughing at the fact that this counted as “work” for us.
By the time we finally left, it wasn’t because we had to, it was because we chose to. And that’s when it clicked for us. Vandra isn’t about pushing yourself past your limits. It’s about extending the moments you already love, just enough to fully experience them. That night at the Rady Shell didn’t feel longer in a forced way, it just felt better, fuller, and more alive. And for us, that was the clearest confirmation that what we’re building actually works.