Building products from zero to one in startups and enterprises

AI’s role in shaping HRTech and job search platforms

The reality of bootstrapping a startup and what it teaches you

Career transitions and navigating product leadership roles

Lessons from high-stakes decision-making in AI-driven strategy

The evolving job market and hiring challenges in tech

Much more

Building from zero to one is about making small bets. Whether at a startup or a large company, the key is breaking down big ideas into small, testable experiments. Iteration and quick feedback loops drive momentum.

The best way to understand AI is to build with it. AI is changing how products are built, but the best way to learn isn’t just by reading—it’s by experimenting. Even simple projects using AI tools can reveal insights into what’s possible and where the limitations lie.

Bootstrapping a startup is a masterclass in resourcefulness. Without the cushion of VC funding, every decision matters. When you’re funding a startup yourself, that pressure helps sharpen focus, ensuring you spend time on what really moves the needle instead of chasing distractions.

Job search is broken, and AI won’t fix it overnight. While AI can help with tasks like resume screening and interview prep, job searching remains deeply human. Relationships, referrals, and storytelling still matter as much as automation.

Large enterprises and startups build products very differently. At a big company, you focus on incremental improvements and scaling. At a startup, you’re constantly iterating, pivoting, and experimenting to find product-market fit. The mindset shift between the two is huge. Big companies move slower, but product thinking still applies.

Hiring today is about adaptability, not just experience. The job market is shifting, and companies are looking for people who can learn fast, adapt to AI-driven workflows, and bring creativity to problem-solving.

Mentorship can change the trajectory of your career. Whether learning from peers, managers, or external mentors, having guidance at key moments can make all the difference in navigating career shifts and product challenges.

The best product managers ask the right questions. Knowing the answers isn’t as important as knowing what questions to ask. Curiosity and structured thinking are what separate good PMs from great ones.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/silvija-skemaite/

01:26 Introduction

04:13 The Importance of In-Person Connections

05:57 Zero to One: Building Products from Scratch

08:02 User Research Strategies

11:04 Navigating Compliance in FinTech and HR Tech

15:36 AI in Compliance: Future Perspectives

18:19 The Future of User Experience with AI

20:16 AI Tools for Product Management

24:04 Building AI Products: Lessons Learned

26:34 MyPipeline: A Personal Journey

29:33 Mentoring and Career Coaching

32:25 Advice for Aspiring Product Managers

34:01 The Future of Product Management

35:48 The Fast Five Questions

MyPipeline : https://mypipeline.io/

Building products on existing platforms versus standalone solutions

The evolution of startup cultures in India, Singapore, and the U.S.

Lessons from launching Airboxr and niching down to solve specific problems

Insights on fostering high-performance cultures in remote teams

The role of AI in enhancing business efficiency and decision-making

Differences between being a founder, a VC, and an operator

Trends in DTC e-commerce, including profitability and omnichannel strategies

Community building and its impact on startup ecosystems

Much more.

Founders need to fall in love with the problem, not the solution. Solving a problem starts with understanding its nuances and deeply connecting with the people it affects. The solution you imagine at the beginning will likely evolve, so staying adaptable and focused on the problem itself ensures you're creating something that truly matters.

Building a startup requires grit and adaptability. Starting and scaling a business is as much about embracing challenges as it is about celebrating wins. Success comes from staying resilient when things get tough, experimenting with new approaches, and learning from failures. Adapting quickly to feedback from customers, the market, or even team dynamics is crucial to staying ahead.

Niche down to scale up. Launching Airboxr required pivoting from a broad no-code query builder to a focused tool for consumer brands. Going deeper into a specific niche revealed a clearer path to product-market fit.

Small teams and high standards build great cultures. In a remote setup, hiring A-players and avoiding C-players ensures a high-performance environment. Team culture starts with the first 100 hires.

Data is only valuable if you know what to do with it. Businesses often collect vast amounts of data, but the real challenge lies in extracting actionable insights. Founders and teams need tools and processes to sift through the noise and make quick, informed decisions. Tools like Airboxr were born out of this exact need: to turn overwhelming data into simple, decision-ready insights.

Community fuels innovation. Building SG Founders created a network of over 1,000 founders and operators in Southeast Asia, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing. A strong community provides access to diverse perspectives, shared experiences, and opportunities for co-innovation, which can unlock new ways to tackle challenges and grow together.

DTC brands are maturing. The focus has shifted from growth to profitability. Brands are diversifying their sales channels and refining their financial strategies to build for long-term success.

Execution matters more than ideation. The best way to validate ideas and uncover solutions is to build, test, and iterate—learning comes faster through doing than planning.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saptarshinath/

01:16 Introduction and Background

05:09 Building on Top of Existing Products vs. Creating Standalone Products

10:21 The Importance of Customer Feedback and Problem Validation

15:13 Creating a High-Performance Culture

20:21 The Role of AI in Driving Efficiencies

22:27 The Influence of Different Roles: Founder, VC, and Consultant

27:47 The Changing Landscape of Consulting and Professional Services

30:40 The Power of Community in the Startup Ecosystem

35:19 The Evolution of E-commerce and DTC

40:03 The Fast Five

Airboxr: https://www.airboxr.com/

Entrepreneur First: https://www.joinef.com/

Austin's evolution as a tech hub and startup ecosystem

The rise of AI agents and their real-world applications

Horizontal vs. Vertical approaches to building AI products

Insights on building customer-focused products and fostering strong teams

Taking career breaks and the value of hitting pause

Navigating career transitions and embracing change

And so much more

Austin’s energy makes it a top tech hub. Austin has transformed over the last decade. Its vibrant, youthful energy, strong startup culture, events like SXSW, and entrepreneurial programs make it a magnet for innovators.

Guardrails are essential when building AI tools. AI isn’t perfect, and models need well-defined prompts, safety checks, and continuous oversight. Without these, agents can stray off course and deliver poor user experiences.

The beauty of AI agents lies in efficiency and accuracy. By automating repetitive tasks like lead follow-ups and bookings, AI agents enable front desk staff to focus on building relationships and delivering better customer experiences. The result is greater efficiency without sacrificing the human touch.

Deep expertise matters when choosing verticals. While AI agents can work across industries, AI Front Desk has focused on fitness and franchises because they know the space so well. Specialization means they understand the nuances, set the right guardrails, and create solutions that truly fit the industry’s needs.

Lessons from Amazon: writing culture and and bias for action. Processes like the PRFAQ (Press Release and FAQs) help teams articulate a clear vision, align stakeholders, and ensure stakeholders have what they need to execute. Startups move quickly, so it’s important to balance thoroughness with bias for action. Sometimes a lightweight version of a process, like Amazon’s writing culture, works best to keep everyone aligned without slowing things down.

Taking a career break can be life-changing. Stepping back, like taking nine months to travel, gives you the space to reflect, recharge, and prioritize what’s next. It’s a unique chance to reset before diving into new challenges. Murphy’s advice: if you can do it, take the leap—career is a marathon, and stepping back can bring fresh energy and perspective.

It’s okay to switch jobs and embrace change. Whether it’s moving industries, taking on a new role, or adjusting for personal flexibility, change can open doors to better alignment with your values, lifestyle, and goals. Moving roles can make you better at your craft and open new opportunities to grow personally and professionally.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtigg/

01:26 Introduction to Murphy Tiggelaar

04:06 Murphy's Career Journey

06:54 The Austin Tech Scene

12:18 AI Front Desk and AI Agents

15:27 Pros and Cons of AI Agents

19:41 Building Vertical vs Horizontal AI Agents

23:08 Lessons from Amazon

28:27 Taking a Career Break

33:18 Fast Five Questions

AI Front Desk: https://aifrontdesk.com/

Entrepreneurs’ Organization: https://eonetwork.org/

South by Southwest, Asutin: https://www.sxsw.com/

Amazon’s PR/FAQ process

ShiftKey: https://www.shiftkey.com/

Shirley’s diverse background in product design and branding

The story behind Luna and the challenges of hardware innovation

Shirley’s favorite products and her views on health and longevity tech

Her new politically neutral party game, Democrazy

Candid advice for those pursuing creative careers and what it takes to find purpose in your work

And so much more.

Aim for what you want to be and the life you want to live. Build a life that aligns with your values and goals. Whether it's wealth, purpose, or freedom, designing your career with intention ensures long-term fulfillment.

Don’t let emotional hurdles hold you back. Just get it done. Procrastination and overthinking are common barriers, but Shirley’s mantra is simple: push through doubts and take action.

The builder mentality is rooted in collaboration and hands-on experiences. From living in hacker houses to working closely with teams, Shirley’s builder mentality thrives on creative problem-solving and deep connections with others.

Productivity thrives on structure and intentionality. Tactical planning, like breaking tasks into manageable steps and using your calendar effectively, can help you stay focused and achieve your goals.

Machine learning is a game-changer for designers. Understanding its basics allows you to unlock creative possibilities, stay ahead of industry trends, and design for the future.

Good branding aligns with the product’s needs and audience. Branding should follow the product’s evolution and fit naturally into its market context, ensuring authenticity and relevance.

Biotech and AI have the potential to transform health and longevity. The tools that use sound, AI, and computer vision to create less invasive diagnostics, offering new possibilities in health and longevity, are set to transform healthcare.

Website: https://bettercrispy.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirleyywu/

Studio Shoji: http://studioshoji.com/

01:30 Introduction to Shirley Wu

04:20 The Builder Mentality

07:41 Exploring Branding and Design

12:27 Experiences in Hacker Houses

16:31 Productivity Hacks and Time Management

19:29 Freelancing and Working with Founders

23:47 Craft and Intuition in Design

26:51 Designing in the Machine Learning Space

29:22 Journey with Threads

37:50 Diverse Skillset and Learning New Industries

40:13 Luna: Health Tracking for Dogs

43:40 Democracy: A Political Party Game

44:47 The Fast Five

Democrazy

Jonathan’s passion for technology & innovation, and his journey as an author

Importance of curiosity and the drive to learn about emerging technologies

Exploring the power of casual connections and unexpected partnerships

Importance of hard work and persistence in achieving success

Understanding the impact of your social circle on personal growth and aspirations

Anticipating groundbreaking advancements in technology and healthcare

And so much more

You’ll never know where you will find your next big opportunity. Many successful partnerships start in casual settings, like meeting someone at a coffee shop or at an AI discussion group. It’s all about being open to these moments and engaging in conversations that could spark an idea or collaboration you never expected.

Creating your own luck is all about putting yourself out there. Luck isn't just a coincidence; it’s about being proactive. When you step outside your comfort zone and seek new experiences, you increase your chances of encountering opportunities that can lead to significant changes in your life.

There’s no shortcut to success. Hard work is essential, and it often takes years to achieve your goals. While some people might seem like overnight successes, there’s usually a long grind behind the scenes. Whether it’s preparing for a presentation or ensuring you’re delivering a quality product, putting in the effort is crucial.

You are the company you keep. The people you surround yourself with can significantly impact your journey. If one person in a relationship is dragging the other down, it’s essential to reevaluate those connections. Building a network of positive and motivated individuals can elevate your own aspirations.

Do what you love and pursue your passions. Finding what excites you and aligning your career with those interests is vital. Life is too short to be stuck in a job you hate. Waking up excited about what you’re doing can lead to a much more fulfilling and meaningful life.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reichental/

X: https://x.com/Reichental

Website: https://www.reichental.com/

Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/postcard-from-the-future-6758890536175833088/

01:16 From Friendship to Full Circle

08:24 The Journey of a Tech Enthusiast

12:57 The Power of Curiosity and Learning

16:36 Becoming an Expert in Emerging Technologies

20:56 Writing as a Path to Value Creation

23:35 Inspiration and Rewards of Writing

25:19 Dr. Jonathan Reichental's Writing Journey

26:27 The Power of the 'For Dummies' Series

27:00 Tips for Success in Silicon Valley

30:01 The Future of Technology

31:38 Living a Meaningful Life

37:40 The Fast Five

Jonathan has authored the following books:

Smart Cities for Dummies: https://www.smartcitybook.com/

Exploring Smart Cities Activity Book for Kids: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1737609908

Exploring Cities Bedtime Rhymes: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09P9WPZ8C

Data Governance for Dummies: https://www.reichental.com/data

Cryptocurrency QuickStart Guide: https://www.reichental.com/crypto

Human Future: https://www.humanfuture.io/

Challenges of execution in startups

Importance of industry knowledge

How cultural factors influence business practices

Significance of hands-on leadership and persistence

How AI could shape the future of productivity

Importance of long-term vision

And so much more

Success often requires you to balance persistence with patience. While determination is crucial for achieving long-term goals, understanding when to slow down and change your approach can be equally important. Remember, progress is incremental. Baby steps matter, and it’s okay to take them.

Prioritize User experience in Product design. A seamless interaction, such as efficient transfers in public transit systems, enhances user satisfaction and creates a positive perception of the service. A keen focus on user experience and attention to detail can differentiate a product, making it more appealing and memorable to the users. Furthermore, building a product that anticipates user needs can significantly improve overall engagement and loyalty.

The results of big events often come down to how well you’ve prepared beforehand. Doing the hard work beforehand can help ease the nerves and improve performance when it really matters. It also builds confidence, letting you concentrate on what you need to do rather than worrying about the outcome. This mindset applies to many areas of life, whether it’s competing in sports or delivering a presentation at work.

Enjoy the process of reaching your goals instead of just focusing on the end result. Many successful entrepreneurs emphasize that the grind, the late nights, and the challenges are all part of the journey. Appreciating these experiences not only makes the journey more enjoyable but also contributes to personal growth and resilience. Remember, the path you take often teaches you valuable lessons that will help you in the long run.

AI is set to change how we work and live, making us more productive and easing some of the challenges we face daily. As it evolves, we can expect AI to take care of tedious tasks, allowing us to focus on what truly matters. While AI isn’t perfect yet, it serves as a helpful starting point for drafting ideas and plans.

Creating a strong community is essential for personal and professional growth. Networking is not just about making contacts; it’s about forming genuine relationships that can lead to collaboration and support. Engaging with others who share your interests can open up new opportunities and perspectives.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swilsonwei/

X: https://x.com/wilson_sww

Blog: https://www.wfhnomad.com/

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6aH4VtcGHvRIeUgGxoAaYD?si=0219c1103fad4be6

01:28 Introduction

03:55 Exploring Tech Ecosystems Around the World

12:16 Talking B2B SaaS Product Management

15:03 Vertical vs Horizontal SaaS

22:21 Challenges of Scaling Tech Products Internationally

27:33 How Swimming Influenced Wilson’s Path as a Product Manager

35:22 The Importance of Preparation and Habits

40:09 The Potential Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Legal Industry

45:39 The Fast Five Questions

Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology - https://www.amazon.com/Chip-War-Worlds-Critical-Technology/dp/1982172002