From Sales to Startup CEO: How Mike Used the King’s Product Management Career Accelerator to Launch a Business
- Tayla Withers
Mike Hazlewood spent nearly two years deciding on the right way to build his product management skills before committing to the King’s Product Management Career Accelerator. Since completing, he’s used what he learned to launch SensePilot – a company making digital navigation effortless for people with limited mobility.
At a recent Ask-Me-Anything (AMA) event, Mike shared his journey: from working in sales and engineering to co-founding a purpose-driven tech business. His story is proof that the King’s Career Accelerator doesn’t just prepare you for a new role – it equips you to drive your own product vision. You can hear Mike’s full Career Accelerator review below:
The search for practical, credible product management skills
Mike wasn’t starting from scratch – he wanted to sharpen his skills and build something of his own.
After more than a decade in technical sales – working across aerospace and medical sectors – Mike wanted to shift into tech and launch his own business. But with a newborn at home and a demanding job, he knew he needed a learning experience that was flexible, credible and focused on real-world application.
“I spent a lot of time thinking about: Is this the right course for me? What that involved was just reading up more on product management… when I used to walk into the office, I’d have to drop my son off to nursery first, I would be listening to product podcasts… just trying to get more of an insight of: Is this the right path for me?”
Choosing the King’s Product Management Career Accelerator
For Mike, the programme’s mix of academic rigour, practical experience and career coaching was a game-changer.
“The whole format and structure of the programme was what really piqued my interest. You’re essentially following a product journey from ideation through to go-to-market… before you do the Employer Project.”
What makes the programme stand out
Mike’s experience reflects many of the key strengths of the King’s Product Management Career Accelerator – especially for those balancing learning with other life commitments. Here’s what set it apart for him:
- Asynchronous, flexible learning – The majority of the content is asynchronous with some structured deadlines, making it possible to learn while working full-time or managing family life.
- Live sessions with experts – Weekly live classes with industry-experienced facilitators help bring concepts to life. Can’t make it? They’re recorded and available anytime.
- A curriculum built around real product work – You’ll move from product strategy and design, through to development and go-to-market planning – the full product lifecycle.
- Employer project with a major brand – Learners work in a team to solve a real-world challenge set by a global organisation (Mike’s cohort worked with DocuSign), gaining tangible experience and a portfolio project to showcase.
The ability to study flexibly was essential for Mike. At the time, he was adjusting to life with a newborn and managing a demanding full-time role with regular work travel. He knew time was going to be tight – so being able to fit study around his schedule, rather than the other way around, was a key factor in his decision.
He made the most of the programme’s asynchronous structure by planning his week in advance. Mike would get ahead with reading and video content over the weekend and then attend one of the two live classes – using those sessions to ask questions and consolidate his understanding.
Real employer projects that build your confidence
Mike also spoke highly of the Employer Project, which closes out the programme and offers learners the chance to tackle a real-world challenge from a global brand:
“We worked with DocuSign on a real-world problem. They gave us an initial kickoff and set the challenge. From there, we had to figure out how to work as a team – how to assign roles, keep each other accountable, lead different weeks. You’d check in weekly with course facilitators and present your thinking back to them. At the end, we presented our final idea to the team at DocuSign.”
This wasn’t just theory – it was practical consulting experience that tested Mike’s communication, leadership and product strategy skills in a collaborative setting. As he shared, presenting directly to product leaders at a brand like DocuSign (and getting their feedback) added serious credibility to the learning journey.
Putting learning into practice: launching SensePilot
After completing the programme, Mike co-founded SensePilot – a company that helps people with limited hand and arm mobility navigate technology using just facial gestures and head movement – making digital inclusion more accessible.
“We use standard webcams. So we’re trying to lower the cost barriers to people to access this sort of tech. So when you move your head around, the cursor will move around the screen, and then you can map out clicking and keyboard actions to facial gestures.”
While the idea for SensePilot had been forming before the programme, Mike shared that many of the concepts he now applies day-to-day – like mapping out product journeys, thinking through go-to-market strategies, and iterating based on user needs – were shaped and solidified through the programme’s real-world curriculum. From learning how to work cross-functionally to better understanding stakeholder communication, the course gave him the language, frameworks and confidence to move forward.
Advice to others: don’t wait for perfect conditions
Mike knows how hard it is to balance life, work and the desire for growth. For him, the King’s Product Management Career Accelerator was a way to get clarity, structure and momentum.
Although it took him a while to enrol, he credits the programme with helping him take action. By working through real projects, collaborating with peers from diverse backgrounds, and learning from industry-experienced experts, he validated his direction and turned long-held ambitions into a tangible venture.
He also highlighted that product management isn’t just for those seeking a new job title – it’s a highly transferable skill set that enables you to solve meaningful problems, lead cross-functional teams, and think strategically. Whether you want to build a business, step into leadership, or switch sectors, the course gives you a strong foundation for doing so.
Inspired by Mike’s story
Whether you’re looking to grow in your current role, pivot into product management, or build something of your own, the King’s Product Management Career Accelerator can help you get there.
