Tech for Non-Techies

• 277: Why You Shouldn't Use AI to Build Your Product

  Every founder is looking for ways to save time and money. And right now, AI promises both. But here's the catch: while AI can write code, it can't think through your product's logic, security, or scalability. The result? A shiny prototype that collapses under real-world use. In this episode of Tech for Non-Techies, Sophia Matveeva interviews Natalie Kaminski, CEO of JetRockets, with a knack for bridging the gap between non-tech founders and the digital world. With experience spanning multiple countries and roles she brings a hands-on approach to turning ideas into real, successful products. At JetRockets, she leads a global team focused on building high-quality Ruby on Rails platforms that align perfectly with business goals. Sophia and Natalie unpack the limits of AI in product development, why "AI-native" platforms often fail at the fundamentals, and what happens when shortcuts lead to security nightmares. In this episode, you will hear: When to use AI for fast prototyping and when to bring in engineers The "toilet in the living room" test for spotting bad product architecture Why great developers are more valuable than ever in the AI era The red flags that signal a product quote is too cheap to trust Free AI Mini-Workshop for Non-Technical Founders Learn how to go from idea to a tested product using AI — in under 30 minutes. Get free access here: techfornontechies.co/aiclass Resources from this Episode Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. For the full transcript, go to https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/277-why-you-shouldn-t-use-ai-to-build-your-product  

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• 276: How AI is Reshuffling the Rules of Business

  How many founders think AI is about faster automation? What if the real opportunity lies in reimagining how entire systems work? Sophia Matveeva sits down with Sangeet Paul Choudary, best-selling author of Platform Revolution and Re/Shuffle: Who Wins When AI Restacks the Knowledge Economy, to explore how AI isn't just speeding up workflows. It's rewriting the rules of business models. From TikTok's behavior-driven growth to Shein's algorithmic supply chain, Sangeet explains how AI coordination is quietly reshaping industries. You'll learn why being a "second mover" might now be an advantage, and how to design your company around AI's strengths instead of bolting it on as a tool. In this episode, you will hear: The difference between using AI for automation and building an AI-first business How Shein's real-time supply chain sensing outpaces Nike's legacy model Why "first mover advantage" is outdated in the age of AI The simple framework Sangeet uses to identify what won't change—no matter how fast tech evolves Free AI Mini-Workshop for Non-Technical Founders Learn how to go from idea to a tested product using AI — in under 30 minutes. Get free access here: techfornontechies.co/aiclass Resources from this Episode Book: Reshuffle: Who wins when AI restacks the knowledge economy https://amzn.to/4n7NgF2 Podcast: listen to the platform series on Tech for Non-Techies:  Tech for Non-Techies episode 90: What makes platform businesses SO successful https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/platforms-episode Tech for Non-Techies episode 91. How to launch a platform when you've got no users https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/chicken Tech for Non-Techies episode 92. How to get people to be nice to each other on your platform https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/how-to-get-people-to-be-nice-to-each-other-on-your-platform Tech for Non-Techies episode 94. Learning effects: why getting more users isn't the only key to success https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/learning-effects-why-getting-more-users-isnt-the-only-key-to-success Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. For the full transcript, go to https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/276-how-ai-is-reshuffling-the-rules-of-business  

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• 275: 5 Founder Lessons From the JP Morgan Tech Conference

  What separates founders who make it from those who stall out? After spending two days surrounded by billion-dollar CEOs and investors at JP Morgan's Tech Investor Conference in London, Sophia Matveeva discovered that the conversations happening in those rooms reveal far more than market gossip. They hold the blueprint for building resilient, fundable tech companies. Whether you're preparing to fundraise, expand internationally, or simply sharpen your strategy, this episode gives you a rare look at how top leaders think and how you can apply those insights to your own company's next move. In this episode, you will hear: Why AI adoption has shifted from hype to hard-nosed cost-cutting and how that affects startup strategy How to lead investors with confidence by defining your own market story What separates founders from hired executives when pitching and performing under pressure The mindset principle that football legend Thierry Henry shared that every founder should apply Resources from this Episode Free AI Mini-Workshop for Non-Technical Founders Learn how to go from idea to a tested product using AI — in under 30 minutes. Get free access here: techfornontechies.co/aiclass Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. For the full transcript, go to https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/275-5-founder-lessons-from-the-jp-morgan-tech-conference 

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• 274: The Non-Technical Founder Mindset: How to Lead When You Can't Code

  Many startups collapse not because the idea fails, but because the pressure gets unbearable. Sadly, it's not strategy or funding that takes them out. It's the grind, the chaos, and the sheer mental weight of building something new. In this episode, Sophia Matveeva shares three mindset shifts that every non-technical founder needs to survive the rollercoaster.  From moving past imposter syndrome to staying calm when launches stall, these are practical tools to help you think strategically when everyone else panics. Listen in and learn how to turn pressure into your unfair advantage. In this episode, you will hear: How to flip imposter syndrome into your founder superpower Why panic kills good decisions — and the simple reset that keeps you strategic The hidden advantage of owning what you don't know How to turn flops into fuel for innovation instead of founder burnout Resources from this Episode Free AI Mini-Workshop for Non-Technical Founders Learn how to go from idea to a tested product using AI — in under 30 minutes. Get free access here: techfornontechies.co/aiclass Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. For the full transcript, go to https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/274-the-non-technical-founder-mindset-how-to-lead-when-you-can-t-code

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• 273: What AI Can (and Can't) Do for Non-Technical Founders

  Founders love the idea of skipping engineers and letting AI code their dream app. Sadly, that dream falls apart fast. AI can write code, but it also hallucinates, breaks in production, and leaves you with messes you can't fix if you're not a coder. What looks like a shortcut turns into a costly detour. In this episode, Sophia Matveeva shows you where AI really helps founders—and where it doesn't. You'll learn how to use AI to design prototypes, validate features, and impress investors without blowing thousands on guesswork. And you'll hear why scaling, security, and serious launches still require pros. In this episode, you will hear: Why AI won't replace developers — and what it actually does well for founders How to turn an idea into a prototype that impresses users and investors The hidden risks of "vibe coding" every non-technical founder should know When to call in engineers, and how to avoid wasting money before you do Resources from this Episode Free AI Mini-Workshop for Non-Technical Founders Learn how to go from idea to a tested product using AI — in under 30 minutes. Get free access here: techfornontechies.co/aiclass Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. For the full transcript, go to https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/273-what-ai-can-and-can-t-do-for-non-technical-founders  

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