Folks of Minnesota
A platform for honest stories from people across Minnesota, moving beyond social feeds to a permanent home designed for reading, reflection, and connection.
01 / OVERVIEW
Folks of Minnesota started as a growing Facebook page, sharing personal stories from people often overlooked. They wanted a dedicated space, clean, calm, and built to last, to let these voices speak without distraction. From first penciled plans to final launch, the project took less than three weeks, a testament to clarity, collaboration, and moving fast when the vision is right. The result is a simple, elegant platform that lets stories shine.
02 / THE BRIEF & THE BUILD
- Full-stack site with Supabase handling auth, database, and content storage
- Next.js App Router for server-rendered pages and fast navigation
- Admin approval flows for new story submissions
- Region-based filtering to explore stories from all over Minnesota
- Ultra-minimal, mobile-friendly layout with a soft neutral palette
- Move beyond social algorithms with a permanent, searchable archive
- Organize stories by Minnesota region and topic for easier discovery
- Keep the design minimal, like a gallery, so the words and portraits stand out
- Build a foundation for future growth, more stories, contributors, and features
Tech stack
Frontend
Next.js 15 (App Router), Tailwind CSS
Backend
Supabase (Postgres, RLS, storage)
Hosting
Vercel + Cloudflare DNS
Extras
TypeScript, Supabase CLI
Results
- Permanent, searchable home for hundreds of personal stories
- Clean editorial design that foregrounds voices over visuals
- Solid groundwork for future features like scheduling, contributor accounts, and even dual Facebook + web posting
What we learned
Sometimes, simplicity is the hardest, and most rewarding, thing to build. By stripping away everything commercial, we made space for stories to breathe. Trust is UX. From first penciled plans to final launch, all in under three weeks. Small team, big heart.
03 / Screeners
04 / The Brand
The best isn't here yet.
Have a complicated challenge, a strange idea, or something worth building? Let's talk.