From the studio

Notes, ideas & what we're learning

Thoughts on craft, culture, and building software that helps — written by the people who do the work.

May 20, 20262 min read

Why we build for the common good

Our name isn't an accident. Here's what 'common good' actually means in the way we choose clients, treat our team, and ship software.

Matthew Wakem · Founder & PrincipalRead

Notes2 min read

Why Does a Website Even Matter?

It's a fair question. With social media pages, online marketplaces, and review sites doing so much of the heavy lifting, you might wonder if a website is still worth the effort. The short answer: yes, but maybe not for the reasons you'd expect. Let's talk about why.

Common Good LabsApril 14, 2026

Notes3 min read

AI Integration in Small Business: Starting Where It Actually Helps

There's a lot of noise about AI right now, and if you run a small business, it can feel like you're either supposed to overhaul everything overnight or get left behind.

Common Good LabsMarch 7, 2026

Design2 min read

Designing calm software

Premium doesn't mean flashy. The best products feel quiet, certain, and unhurried. Here are the principles we use to design for comfort.

Matthew WakemFebruary 26, 2026

Notes3 min read

Why Maintenance Management Matters

If you've ever managed a building, a fleet of equipment, or a property portfolio, you know the feeling: something breaks at the worst possible time, the paperwork is scattered across emails and sticky notes, and nobody's quite sure when that pump was last serviced. It doesn't have to be that way.

Common Good LabsJune 16, 2026

Notes3 min read

When to Choose a Custom Build Over Wix, Base44, and the Rest

Common Good LabsJune 12, 2026

Process2 min read

How we ship: the six-week sprint

A look inside our delivery rhythm — how we go from a first conversation to a launched product in six focused weeks, without the chaos.

Matthew WakemMarch 11, 2026

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