Invoicing & Identity: A Big Step Forward

Welcome back to Flight Path—the podcast where the Tern team shares what’s new, what’s launching, and what’s ahead in the world of travel tech.In this episode, David (CEO), Molly (Head of Product), and Brad (Head of Design) take you behind the scenes on one of the most requested and complex features Tern has ever built: invoicing. From shifting product perspectives to learning directly from advisors, this episode is a deep dive into how great software is born—not just from ambition, but from listening.Also in this episode: brand color customization is now live! Brad reveals the math (yes, math!) and thoughtful UI tweaks that ensure every client-facing element reflects your unique brand, from buttons to hover states.Plus, a sneak peek at what’s coming next—from library folders and group occupancy logic to the upcoming May 15 webinar (and how sharing it could win you a cabin at the user conference).Whether you're a Tern power user or curious about how vertical SaaS platforms are reshaping travel operations, this episode is for you.⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – Team check-in: inbox chaos, Slack sleuthing, and monster energy truths04:45 – The big one: Why Tern built invoicing, and how it works07:00 – Demo walkthrough: invoice generation, customization, client view11:00 – What makes Tern’s invoicing different (automated, connected, visual)14:30 – Canada-specific needs, seller of travel compliance, and credentials17:30 – Invoicing in “easy mode”: send an invoice before building a full trip20:00 – Reflections on product development: getting it right vs. getting it fast23:00 – What “beta” means at Tern and what’s coming next for invoicing26:00 – NEW: Custom brand colors (and the behind-the-scenes design magic)31:30 – Accessibility, gradients, hover states—and how design meets polish33:00 – Quality of life win: landing page links now behave like itinerary links36:00 – What’s next: folders, trip overview tab improvements, groups updates38:00 – May 15 webinar: big launches, special guests, and a giveaway teaser39:30 – Wrap-up + how to register and spread the word