Stay ConnectedGet your creative juices flowing with The Startup Ideas Podcast. Published twice a week, we bring you free startup ideas to inspire your next venture. Hosted by Greg Isenberg, CEO of Late Checkout and former advisor to Reddit and TikTok. Subscribe so you don’t miss out.
For more startup ideas, we created a database of 30+ startup ideas you can take at https://gregisenberg.com/30startupideas
Copyright: © The Startup Ideas Podcast
Join me as I chat with Chris Raroque, who demonstrates how to use AI tools to build sophisticated mobile apps as a solo developer. Chris walks through adding an AI chat feature to his budgeting app, showing his workflow with Cursor and Claude 3.7. He explains how to implement function calling to create an intelligent agent that can access transaction data and answer questions about spending patterns.
Timestamps:
• 00:00 - Introduction to Chris Raroque and his portfolio of apps
• 02:32 - Overview of Cursor workflow for native iOS development
• 09:54 - Demo of adding AI chat to a budgeting app
• 17:50 - Connecting AI Chat Feature with Open Router
• 25:55 - Improving prompts using Claude for better responses
• 34:19 - Implementing tool/function calling for efficient data access
• 45:13 - Adding token usage and cost tracking to the app
• 48:34 - Techniques for AI-generated app assets and illustrations
Key Points:
• Chris Raroque demonstrates how to use Cursor with Claude 3.7 to build native iOS apps with AI features
• Shows a workflow for adding an AI chat feature to an existing budgeting app using OpenRouter
• Explains tool/function calling implementation to create an AI agent that can access transaction data
• Shares techniques for generating high-quality app assets using ChatGPT 4.0
LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/
BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/
BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/
Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
FIND CHRIS ON SOCIAL
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@raroque
X/Twitter: https://x.com/raroque
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chris.raroque/
Join me as I chat with Hunter Isaacson, a successful mobile app builder who has created apps with hundreds of millions of downloads. Hunter shares his playbook for building million-dollar mobile apps, emphasizing the importance of simple experiences, strong branding, and creating effective growth loops. He discusses how to identify opportunities by adapting existing ideas to new channels and technologies.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:56 - Examples of Viral Consumer Apps
04:35 - Hallow Deep dive
10:14 - Locket Deep dive
13:51 - NGL’s Deep Dive
15:08 - Don’t reinvent the wheel
17:27 - Hunter’s $1M/Month App Playbook
21:28 - Building a Brand People Love
24:44 - Creating a simple experience
25:26 - The importance of core action and North Star Metric
26:33 - How to create growth loops
31:28 - Additional Good Practices
33:13 - Opportunities in AI-enhanced app experiences
36:38 - Future technology trends Hunter is excited about
Key Points:
• Hunter Isaacson shares his framework for building successful mobile apps, including NGL (250M downloads) and Bags
• The importance of creating simple experiences with strong branding that people can understand and resonate with
• How to identify core metrics and growth loops that drive user engagement and viral sharing
• Leveraging new platform features (like widgets, live activities) to create innovative app experiences
1) Hunter's framework for building viral, profitable apps is SURPRISINGLY simple:
• Build a brand people love
• Create a simple experience
• Get users on quickly (even just 100)
• Select ONE core action
• Maximize % of users completing that action
Let's dive deeper...
2) On building a BRAND PEOPLE LOVE:
"Keep it short and find a slang term" - Hunter's secret sauce for naming apps.
NGL = "not gonna lie" (obvious to Gen Z)
BAGS = crypto slang for holdings
The best names are OBVIOUS, resonate with your audience, and set the right vibe.
3) Creating a SIMPLE EXPERIENCE is crucial!
Hunter designs ALL his apps himself (started with PowerPoint, now Figma)
His approach: "What's the bare bones MVP that solves the problem?"
Don't overcomplicate. ONE user flow is better than branching journeys.
4) The NORTH STAR METRIC changes everything.
For each app, Hunter picks ONE metric that matters above all:
• Wink: % of users getting a match on day 1
• NGL: % sharing link + replies
• BAGS: % funding account + making first trade
Aim for 90%+ completion!
5) GROWTH HACK: Build sharing into your core experience!
"If you drop in 1000 people and 50% share, that's 500 people who've now shared your app"
Hunter spent less than $10K marketing NGL to get 250M downloads!
The key? Seed it just enough to activate the viral loop.
6) You DON'T need to reinvent the wheel!
Hunter on NGL: "Anonymous messaging apps have been around forever"
The innovation? Using Instagram's new link feature as a growth channel.
Look for EXISTING IDEAS that could work in NEW CHANNELS.
7) On SEEDING your app:
• Test content formats before launch
• Work with creators in different niches
• Pay small amounts ($50-100) to influencers
• Look for that ONE viral video to ignite growth
• Build an authentic voice on social
8) TRENDS to watch according to Hunter:
• Live Activities on iPhone (underutilized)
• Lock screen widgets (not fully explored)
• AI + consumer apps (CalAI's approach)
• Crypto going mainstream
• AR glasses (future)
Massive opportunities in each!
9) For YOUNG FOUNDERS, Hunter recommends:
"Take a lot of swings. Have a lot of at-bats."
Consumer mobile apps over B2B/SaaS when starting out:
• More fun
• Reach global audience
• Better psychology understanding
• Tools getting better every day
Notable Quotes:
"I think that it's more about looking for frameworks than it is for looking for ideas. The framework, I feel like, is more important because now it's really easy to just framework X with audience Y." - Hunter Isaacson
"You don't really need to reinvent the wheel... it's a new channel, right? If anonymous messaging has worked on the internet, it's worked on apps, it's worked on different platforms, why wouldn't it work with Instagram as the growth lever?" - Hunter Isaacson
LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/
BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/
BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/
Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
FIND HUNTER ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://x.com/hunterjisaacson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunterjisaacson/
Join me as I chat with Niels Klement, CMO of Perspective, we discuss how agencies are building highly profitable productized services using AI. He explains that the most successful approach involves focusing on a specific industry niche, creating a repeatable funnel template that delivers consistent results, and using AI to automate fulfillment. The discussion covers funnel optimization techniques, the importance of mobile-first design, and how interactive elements like quizzes significantly improve conversion rates.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:44 - Overview of productized services and funnel building
03:21 - How to build a niche-focused service
07:59 - Implementation of funnel templates and ads
11:10 - Funnel Strategies in 2025
14:43 - How to make a great VSL
18:54 - Funnel Strategies in 2025 pt2
21:05 - Where to use funnels
23:51 - Demonstration of Perspective funnel building
29:48 - Using funnels to validate startup ideas
Build your next sales funnel: https://try.perspective.co/4i8i3dkviavy
Key Points:
• Agencies are building highly profitable productized services ($10K-100K/month) by focusing on specific niches and using AI and funnel tools like Perspective
• The most successful agencies target industries that aren't tech-savvy and focus on business-critical services like recruiting and lead generation
• High-converting funnels use interactive elements, personalization, and quiz formats to achieve 26-28% conversion rates on cold traffic
• AI can automate much of the service delivery, allowing small teams or solo founders to scale to significant revenue
1) The Productized Service Revolution
Agencies are shifting from service-heavy to product-heavy models using AI + automation.
Some are scaling to $1M/MONTH with 80% profit margins by:
• Targeting specific niches (bakeries, lawyers, etc)
• Delivering business-critical results
• Using ONE killer funnel template
The best part? You can run this with just 1-2 freelancers + AI agents.
2) The Two Most Profitable Service Models
Across thousands of agencies using Perspective, two business models consistently outperform:
A) RECRUITING FUNNELS
Help businesses find talent through automated systems
B) LEAD GENERATION FUNNELS
Deliver qualified prospects to businesses
3) The "One Funnel, Sell Twice" Strategy
The most successful agencies:
• Pick ONE industry (preferably not tech-savvy)
• Create ONE funnel template that delivers results
• Use AI to customize it for each client
• Automate fulfillment with AI agents
Top agencies in Perspective convert at 26-28% on COLD traffic!
4) What Makes High-Converting Funnels Work?
The best performing funnels focus on:
• SPEED: Pages loading less than 1 second convert 2.5X better
• INTERACTIVITY: Quiz elements that create engagement
• PERSONALIZATION: Tailoring content based on responses
• CONSISTENCY: Matching ad messaging to landing page
These elements create a "dopamine hit" similar to social feeds.
5) The VSL (Video Sales Letter) Framework
For creating high-converting video content:
• Focus intensely on the HOOK (first 5 seconds)
• Provide genuine EDUCATION and value
• Show PROOF that builds credibility
• Create a natural progression to the OFFER
6) How To Build Your First Funnel
The process is simpler than you think:
1. Start with a mobile-first approach (95% of paid social traffic is mobile)
2. Use quiz elements to qualify leads
3. Personalize follow-up based on responses
4. A/B test continuously (Perspective makes this easy)
7) The Startup Validation Strategy
1. Build an audience on social
2. Create a funnel to test messaging
3. Send organic traffic to validate
4. Collect quiz data to understand pain points
5. THEN build your product
KEY TAKEAWAY:
The future of services is PRODUCTIZED.
With tools like Perspective + AI, you can build a highly profitable, low-overhead business by:
• Focusing on one niche
• Delivering one critical result
• Using one killer funnel
• Automating with AI
LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/
BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/
BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/
Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
FIND NIELS ON SOCIAL
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nielsklement
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsklement/
Join me as I chat with Nick Huber to discusses how "boring" businesses like storage, lawn care, and service companies often create more reliable paths to wealth than tech startups. He shares his personal journey from a college storage business that sold for $1.75 million to purchasing and improving self-storage facilities worth millions. The conversation explores various low-tech business opportunities with high profit potential and minimal competition.
00:00 - Intro
02:08 - Nick's Sweaty Startup journey
05:20 - Self-storage facility investments and returns
07:31 - Examples of profitable service businesses
13:13 - Sweaty Startup Idea: Night Nurse Marketplace
18:49 - Value of a Good Domain Names
22:25 - The AI + Sweaty Startups Opportunity
Key Points
• Nick Huber shares his journey building "boring" but profitable businesses, including Storage Squad and self-storage facilities
• Sweaty startups (service-based local businesses) often have less competition and higher success rates than tech startups
• Simple marketing tactics like sidewalk chalk, bandit signs, and local networking can be highly effective for service businesses
• Domain names are valuable digital real estate worth investing in for business credibility and growth
1) The WEALTHY people in your town aren't tech founders
They own boring businesses:
• Underground utilities
• Surveying companies
• HVAC businesses
• Real estate development
While everyone's dreaming of being the next Elon, these folks are quietly building wealth.
2) Nick's first million came from... college student storage!
He built Storage Squad with:
• $1500 Craigslist cargo van
• $2200 box truck
• SIDEWALK CHALK as his only marketing
Grew to $2.2M in revenue, sold for $1.75M in 2020.
No tech, no VC money, just hustle.
3) Self-storage facilities = GOLD MINES
Nick bought a neglected facility for $625K with:
• 40,000+ square feet
• 180+ units
• Only making $4K/month
Another facility they bought for $1.5M now generates $40K/month and is worth $4.5M!
4) "Sweaty startups" are EVERYWHERE making serious money:
• Lawn care: $100K+ working 9 months/year
• Mobile detailing: $17K revenue/$10K profit PER MONTH
• High-end transportation: Consistent 6-figure income
• Tree removal: $3K for 4 hours of work (2 people)
All with minimal startup costs!
5) The DOMAIN NAME lesson that most miss:
Nick paid $450K for [Somewhere.com](http://somewhere.com/) and says it's already delivered MORE value than that.
"People will spend millions on physical real estate but balk at a few thousand for digital real estate - the home of your business."
6) The COMPETITION ADVANTAGE of sweaty startups:
Would you rather compete against:
• Stanford CS grad with $20M in VC funding
OR
• Local business owner who doesn't answer phones on Monday afternoons?
Choose your competition wisely!
7) BEST BUSINESS IDEA from the pod: Night Nurse Marketplace
• Domain available for $13K (or $1,100/month lease-to-own)
• Target new parents needing overnight baby care
• Build directory + blog with AI
• Charge $1K finder's fee to match families with nurses
$20K+ monthly potential!
8) The AI + SWEATY STARTUP opportunity:
The best AI companies might start as sweaty startups first.
Build the customer base and trust with a service business, THEN layer in tech and AI solutions.
This is how you build something valuable without competing with 1000 other AI startups.
Notable Quotes:
"The wealthy people that I know, the ones with giant beach houses in the outer banks and private jets at the local airport, almost all of them did something boring." - Nick Huber
"Do you want to compete against LeBron James or a fifth grade girl in basketball? I play against the fifth grade girl every time because my odds of having a win and making money are higher." - Nick Huber
LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/
BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/
BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/
Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
FIND NICK ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://x.com/sweatystartup
Nick’s New book: https://www.sweatystartupbook.com
Sweaty Startup Ideas: http://Sweatystartup.com/ideas
Bolt Storage: http://boltstorage.com
Somewhere: http://somewhere.com
Use agents https://www.lindy.ai/greg (thanks to Flo for hooking us up with 50% off and you can get started for free)
Join me as I chat with Flo Crivello, founder of Lindy AI, where he demonstrates how to build AI agents that can automate various business processes without coding. The conversation showcases practical applications including meeting recording, scheduling, recruitment, competitive analysis, and customer support. Crivello emphasizes that there's currently a significant gap between what's technically possible with AI agents and what most businesses are implementing.
Built your first AI Agent with Lindy: https://www.gregisenberg.com/ai-agents
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
02:08 - Demo 1: Meeting Notes
04:41 - Demo 2: YouTube comment scraping
06:49 - Meeting Notes Continued
08:27 - Demo 3: Outbound Phone Calling
10:16 - Demo 4: Meeting Prep
10:25 - Agent Swarms Explained
11:25 - Meeting Prep Continued
13:31 - Demo 5: Meeting Scheduler
15:04 - How to start using Lindy
15:52 - Live Building of a Recruitment Agent
17:57 - When should you loop in a human
18:37 - Building of a Recruitment Agent continued
20:34 - Demo 6: Sales Prospecting
22:44 - Why start using AI Agents
26:00 - Overview of template categories and use cases
28:52 - Demo 7: Elon Lindy
30:12 - Demo 8: Competitive Analysis
32:58 - Demo 9: CRM and Networking Manager
34:50 - Final Thoughts
Key Points:
• Lindy is a no-code platform for building AI agents that can automate business processes
• Users can create their first agent in 10 minutes and automate significant portions of their business
• The platform features "Agent Swarms" that can handle multiple tasks in parallel with greater reliability
• Lindy offers thousands of integrations with various platforms and services
1) Meeting Assistant Agents
The most universal use case for AI agents? Meeting management!
Lindy can:
• Record and transcribe your meetings
• Create searchable notes in Google Docs
• Organize notes by person (incredible for context)
Flo: "I just had to dig up Google Docs and send him everything we've ever talked about with this person."
2) The Agent vs Workflow Difference
Unlike Zapier which connects isolated steps, Lindy creates TRUE AGENTS that:
• Understand context between steps
• Can recover from mistakes
• Let you speak to them in natural language
• Don't need every step configured
The magic? You're basically telling an AI to execute a sequence of connected actions.
3) Agent Swarms = GAME CHANGER
This new feature lets you deploy multiple agents simultaneously!
• Send personalized outreach to hundreds of leads
• Research multiple people in parallel
• Execute tasks reliably without losing coherence
Think Agent Smith in The Matrix - your agent duplicates itself to handle massive workloads FAST.
4) Real-World Examples That Blew My Mind
Flo's Lindy made a restaurant reservation BY PHONE
The hilarious part? The restaurant was using an AI receptionist!
"It's already happening - AI agents are working together in the wild"
His AI also schedules meetings, preps him for calls, and manages his network.
5) Building a Recruiter Agent LIVE
In just 2 minutes, Flo built a recruiting agent that:
• Takes job criteria
• Searches for matching candidates
• Researches them on Perplexity
• Sends personalized outreach emails
All with human approval built in when needed!
"There's a huge gap between what's possible and what people are actually doing."
6) The "Elon Lindy" = Middle Management Killer
This agent:
• Calls every team member weekly
• Asks what they accomplished
• Compiles everything into a report for the CEO
One customer deployed this to 1000+ employees, essentially "replacing the middle management layer"!
7) Competitive Intelligence on Autopilot
Flo's competitive tracker:
• Wakes up monthly
• Monitors competitors from a spreadsheet
• Tracks employee count, traffic, funding, etc.
• Sends reports on who's pulling ahead
8) The MASSIVE Opportunity Right Now
"There is a HUGE arbitrage between what's possible and what people are actually doing."
Companies exploiting this gap are EXPLODING:
• One AI ad generator hit $5M ARR in months with just 8 people
• Small teams can now operate like they have 30-50 people
LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/
BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/
BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/
Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
FIND FLO ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://x.com/Altimor
Lindy: https://www.lindy.ai
Join me as I chat with Riley Brown to explore various opportunities in AI, from image generation to rebuilding essential software tools, while debating the future of content creation, customer support automation, and the concept of "vibe coding/marketing."
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
02:05 - ChatGPT 4.0 image generation capabilities
07:30 - Rebuilding calendars, inboxes and CRMs
11:02 - Component Animation Library
12:59 - The "spaghetti video" and AI video progression
19:41 - Customer support automation
22:01 - The biggest trap for founders
24:43 - Sketching is the future of AI building
26:15 - Build Consumer AI Mobile Apps
27:42 - AI Market Dynamics
29:01 - Rebuilding traditional products with AI advantages
30:51 - AI tools and AI Agents will be cheaper than humans
31:56 - Vibe Marketing is a huge opportunity
35:41 - AI will replace the homepage
36:56 - AI's impact on education and entrepreneurship
Key Points:
• ChatGPT 4.0's image generation capabilities will birth thousands of vertical software businesses
• Calendars, inboxes, and CRMs will be completely rebuilt with AI within three years
• AI-generated video has progressed dramatically and will transform content creation
• Most customer support will be fully automated within 36 months, including complex issues
• Mobile-first AI apps represent the next wave of $100M+ consumer applications
1) ChatGPT 4.0 ImageGen is as REVOLUTIONARY as the original ChatGPT launch
It will birth 1000+ vertical software businesses worth $1-100M each.
Riley: "It's incredible for generating gradients, components, character sprite sheets..."
The window to build these businesses is NOW.
2) Every calendar, inbox, and CRM will be COMPLETELY REBUILT in the next 3 years
Not just AI-enhanced — fully rethought from scratch.
We're talking about a $700B+ industry transformation.
Look at Micro HQ approach: turning email into a smart dashboard with intelligence baked in.
3) The "Will Smith eating spaghetti" video evolution shows how FAST AI video is advancing
739 days ago: Hilariously bad AI video
Today: Nearly perfect realism
In another 739 days? Full movies created with prompts, perfect dialogue, and integrated music.
The content creation landscape is about to be UNRECOGNIZABLE.
4) Most customer support will be fully automated within 36 months
Not just basic tier-one tickets — we're talking complex, multi-step resolutions that currently require senior staff.
The days of frustrating support calls may finally be ending as AI gets better at solving our problems instantly.
5) "The worst thing that can happen to your startup is mediocre success"
Enough to keep you going, but not enough to change your life.
Many founders get trapped in routines with projects they aren't passionate about.
The key? Pivot to something that excites you to wake up every day.
6) The SKETCHING economy is the real AI revolution
When anyone can turn rough sketches into production-ready designs, taste and ideation become the only scarce resources.
Greg's insight: "I've been sketching more myself... if I sketch a thumbnail and throw it into GPT-4.0, I might get twice the engagement.”
7) Consumer mobile is BACK in full swing
We went from:
• Desktop-first apps (Facebook)
• Mobile-first apps (Instagram)
• Now AI-first mobile apps (Cal AI)
The next wave of $100M+ apps will start mobile-first with AI baked in from day one.
8) AI is creating winner-take-most markets OVERNIGHT
The window to establish yourself as the go-to solution in a specific vertical?
9) AI will kill the homepage as we know it
Interfaces will be replaced by entry points that change based on who you are, what you need, and when you show up.
Just as ads became hyper-personalized, websites and apps will adapt to each visitor in real-time.
10) Schools won't be disrupted by AI — they'll be DISINTERMEDIATED
Smart teens will skip formal education to build audiences and run experiments.
Kids say they want to be creators, but creators are becoming entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurship is becoming the safest "job" in an AI-powered world.
LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/
BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/
BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/
Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
FIND RILEY ON SOCIAL
Vibe Code App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vibecode/id6742912146
X/Twitter: https://x.com/rileybrown_ai
Instagram: https://x.com/rileybrown_ai
Join me as I chat with Justin Mares, Founder of Kettle and Fire, as he explains his methodical approach to validating Kettle and Fire before fully launching it in 2014-2015. He created a basic landing page with a PayPal checkout to test if people would pay $29.99 for bone broth, achieving a 30% conversion rate despite having no actual product. The conversation highlights how modern AI tools have dramatically lowered barriers to entry for entrepreneurs testing new business ideas
Timestamps:
• 00:00 - Intro
• 01:05 - The Scale of Kettle and Fire
• 01:20 - The Initial Idea and Inspiration
• 02:16 - Validating Market Demand
• 04:03 - Addressing Skepticism on Market Research
• 06:00 - Testing Pricing and Demand
• 08:48 - Bing Ads and Early Revenue
• 12:22 - Leveraging AI for Business Today
• 13:42 - Finding Passion-Driven Problems
• 15:28 - Identifying Trends and Tools
• 20:15 - ChatGPT 4o for Initial Product Design
Key Points
• Justin shares how he validated and launched Kettle and Fire, now a nine-figure bone broth business
• He used a minimal landing page, Fiverr logo, and Bing ads to test market demand before creating the product
• The validation process focused on identifying if enough people wanted the product and if they would pay enough
1) The "Day Zero" validation strategy that worked:
Justin wanted bone broth for his own health but couldn't find it online. Before creating anything, he asked two critical questions:
• How many people actually want this?
• Will they pay enough to make it a viable business?
Smart validation = less risk.
2) Finding your TRUE market size:
Justin didn't rely on gut feeling. He went where his potential customers hung out:
• Paleo forums
• CrossFit communities
• Reddit threads
• Mark's Daily Apple
He found FANATIC engagement around bone broth recipes, sourcing, and benefits
3) The Google Trends hack
Justin checked macro trends to confirm his micro observations.
He wasn't looking to build a 9-figure business at 24 - just wanted to make $10K/month with his brother.
Simple math: A few thousand customers spending a few hundred dollars a year = viable business.
4) The $15 MVP that ACTUALLY validated demand:
• $9.99 domain ([bonebroths.com](http://bonebroths.com/))
• $5 logo from Fiverr
• Basic landing page on Unbounce
No product. No fancy design. Just a simple page highlighting benefits that his target audience cared about:
- Healing leaky gut
- Convenience
- Organic ingredients
5) The GENIUS pricing strategy:
Justin priced at $29.99 for 16oz - 6X MORE than grocery store broth!
His thinking: "If people will pay this much for a product they've never tasted from a sketchy landing page, they REALLY want it."
High price = strong signal of demand.
6) The checkout flow was HILARIOUSLY janky:
"Order Now" button → Justin's personal PayPal
That's it. That was the entire checkout.
And guess what? PEOPLE STILL BOUGHT IT!
After spending just $100 on Bing ads (yes, Bing!), he made nearly $500 in revenue.
7) The honest follow-up that built trust:
After validating demand, Justin emailed every customer:
"We don't have the product yet. I can either refund you in full or give you 50% off when we ship in a few weeks."
Most chose the discount, giving him runway to actually create the product.
8) From validation to execution:
It took 8 months to figure out production and scaling.
But because he KNEW people wanted it and would pay for it, he had the confidence to push through the hard parts.
9) How would he do it TODAY with AI tools?
• Better landing pages using tools like Bolt.new
• Sentiment analysis across Reddit/Twitter
• AI-generated product designs (as shown in the podcast)
10) The bigger lesson for aspiring founders:
Focus on problems YOU care deeply about.
The best ideas come from the frontier where you're already spending your time.
11) AI is LEVELING the playing field:
One person with strong conviction + AI tools can now build products that previously required entire teams.
12) Want to find YOUR startup idea?
Justin's advice:
• Find a problem that lights you up
• Circle that problem until you find interesting solutions
• Validate with real customers willing to pay
• Use AI to accelerate everything
LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/
BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/
BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/
Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
FIND JUSTIN ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://x.com/jwmares
His Blog: https://justinmares.com/
Join me as I chat with Jacob Posel where he explains his viral method for creating professional ads using ChatGPT 4o and reference images. Jacob demonstrates that effective ad creation with AI relies more on providing quality inspiration images than complex prompting. The episode includes four example ads and two live demonstrations, showcasing how marketers can experiment with different audiences and styles at scale to improve conversion rates.
Timestamps:
• 00:00 - Intro
• 02:01 - Best practices and the importance of inspiration images
• 05:52 - Using Reference Images vs. No Reference
• 09:07 - Exploring Sora for Prompt Inspiration
• 13:33 - Another example of reference image + product image
• 16:20 - More Ad Examples (Ridge Wallet)
• 18:14 - More Ad Examples (Replit)
• 19:12 - Where to find Ad inspiration
• 20:00 - Live Ad Creation for LCA
• 33:37 - Ad Concept Development for LCA
• 37:37 - Finalizing the Ad and Next Steps
Key Points:
• Jacob Posel demonstrates how to create high-quality ads in minutes using ChatGPT, focusing on using reference images rather than complex prompts
• The process involves providing inspiration ads and product images to ChatGPT, which can then generate customized, conversion-ready advertisements
• Using well-known brands requires less specific prompting as the AI already understands them, while lesser-known products need more reference images
• The speakers demonstrate live ad creation for Late Checkout Agency (LCA), showing the iterative process and prompt refinement techniques
1) The Secret to Great AI-Generated Ads
Forget complex prompting - the REAL magic is in your reference images!
Jacob revealed: "The important thing in creating good ads are the inspiration images and product images that you provide."
ChatGPT understands intent better than other AI image tools.
2) The Simple Framework
Here's the basic formula Jacob uses:
• Find an inspiration ad you like
• Add your product image
• Give simple instructions
• Let ChatGPT work its magic
The model is SMART enough to understand what you want without elaborate prompts.
3) When to Use Reference Images vs. When Not To
KEY INSIGHT: ChatGPT already knows popular brands!
"It knows Nike, Adidas, Ridge wallets really well," Jacob explains.
For well-known brands: Simple prompts work fine
For newer/smaller brands: ALWAYS provide reference images
This saves you tons of time!
4) Pro Tip: Where to Find Ad Inspiration
Jacob's go-to sources for ad inspiration:
• Creative OS
• Foreplay
• Icon
These tools pull from Meta's ad library and make it searchable.
Finding the right reference ad is HALF the battle!
5) The Hidden Goldmine Nobody's Talking About
ALPHA ALERT: Check out Sora's explore page!
"This is a piece of alpha that people do not know about right now," Jacob revealed.
It shows you the EXACT prompts people used for successful images.
Perfect for learning how to prompt effectively!
6) Crucial Prompting Tips
If your first attempt isn't perfect:
• DON'T continue in the same chat
• Start a fresh conversation
• Make adjustments to your prompt there
"You generally get through a cycle of worse and worse rather than improving" if you keep going in the same chat.
7) Real-World Example: The LCA Ad
We created a luxury-style ad for Greg’s innovation agency in real-time!
Process:
1. Screenshot website elements
2. Find vintage Rolex ad as inspiration
3. Simple prompt explaining the brand vibe
4. Iterate in a NEW chat for improvements
Took less than 10 minutes!
8) The Future of Advertising
This technology enables:
• Personalized ads at scale
• Rapid response to trending moments
• Testing different audiences/demographics
• Experimenting with creative directions
As Jacob puts it: "The ad is the targeting" - and now you can do it at SCALE.
Notable Quotes:
"Marketers have this saying nowadays that the ad is the targeting and this is just a way that you can actually do it at scale." - Jacob Posel
"The important thing I found in creating good ads are actually the inspiration images and the product images that you provide." - Jacob Posel
LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/
BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/
BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/
Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
FIND JACOB ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://x.com/jacob_posel
Build your business with beehiiv: https://www.beehiiv.com/greg-isenberg?utm_campaign=Q22025-greg-isenberg-partnership&utm_medium=influencer&utm_source=podcast&utm_source_platform=podcast&via=greg-isenberg-Q22025&utm_marketing_tactic=awareness&utm_creative_format=podcast&utm_content=greg-isenberg&utm_term=greg-isenberg
Join me as I chat with Tyler Denk, co-founder of Beehiiv, to discuss how to grow a newsletter to 100,000 subscribers. He demonstrates Beehiiv’s platform features including customizable websites, subscriber data collection, automated welcome sequences, and multiple monetization options. Tyler emphasizes there's no "silver bullet" for growth—success comes from combining multiple strategies that each contribute incrementally to building a valuable audience asset.
Get the 5-step guide to 100K subscribers: www.gregisenberg.com/beehiiv-business
Timestamps
• 00:00 - Intro
• 02:58 - Overview of newsletter growth potential
• 04:03 - Website building and email capture features
• 15:00 - Subscriber data collection and welcome automations
• 25:00 - Cross-promotion and "Boost" network for growth
• 38:06 - Lead magnets and referral programs
• 55:00 - Customized email collection based on content
• 1:08:35 - Monetization strategies (sponsorships, paid subscriptions)
• 1:10:55 - Final thoughts on consistency and getting started
Key Points
• Beehiiv’s all-in-one platform includes website building, email capture, subscriber data collection, referral programs, and monetization tools
• Multiple growth channels work together: lead magnets, email gating, referral programs, and cross-promotion with other newsletters
• Monetization comes through direct sponsorships, Beehiiv’s ad network, and the "Boost" feature where newsletters pay each other for subscriber referrals
1) Website & Email Capture Strategy
Beehiiv gives you a full website builder where you can create:
• Custom landing pages
• Email capture forms
• Pop-ups targeted by traffic source
• Different signup flows
The key? Create MULTIPLE entry points that convert 15-20% of visitors to subscribers.
Tyler's Windows 98-themed site stands out because it's INTENTIONALLY different!
2) The Subscribe Flow Magic
This is GENIUS:
After someone subscribes, Tyler shows:
• Sponsored newsletter recommendations
• A quick survey collecting demographic data
• A welcome page with popular content
This data helps him:
• Sell premium sponsorships
• Create targeted content
• Understand his audience (60% founders!)
3) Network Effects & Passive Growth
Tyler gets 200-300 FREE subscribers weekly through Beehiiv’s recommendation network!
How it works:
• Other newsletters recommend his in their subscribe flow
• He recommends others in his flow
"It's like getting $400-600 of value weekly just for existing on the platform"
4) The Boost Network (Paid Acquisition)
Tyler spends $2-3K monthly buying subscribers through Beehiiv’s Boost marketplace.
• He pays $2.50 per subscriber
• Only pays for subscribers who ACTUALLY ENGAGE
• Has autopause features to cut off low-quality sources
• Manages 155+ acquisition sources in one dashboard
It's like a vending machine: put in $2.50, get $4 back!
5) Lead Magnets That Convert
Tyler shared his seed deck on Twitter (100K views) with a simple signup form.
The magic:
• Created a custom landing page in Beehiiv
• Set up a different signup flow (no recommendations)
• Built an automation to deliver the deck instantly
• Added new subscribers to his newsletter
Pro tip: Get sponsors for your lead magnets to fund MORE promotion!
6) The Referral Program (1% of growth)
Tyler built Morning Brew's referral program (led to 1M+ subscribers) and implemented a simpler version:
- 1 referral = Access to Series B deck (digital, zero cost)
• 3 referrals = $10 off merch (dropshipped, zero cost)
7) Monetization (The Engine)
Tyler makes $20-30K monthly through:
- Direct sponsorships ($7K per placement)
• Boost network referrals ($2-4 per subscriber)
• No paid subscription (though many make $100K+/year this way)
Beehiiv’s sponsorship storefront lets advertisers book directly with just a $10 transaction fee!
Notable Quotes:
"Writing weekly and sharing my thoughts online has probably been the highest leverage thing that I've done in my entire career. It's opened so many doors to angel investing, meeting other founders, meeting people who are doing really cool shit." - Tyler
LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/
BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/
BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/
Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
FIND TYLER ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://x.com/denk_tweets
Big Desk Energy: https://www.bigdeskenergy.com
In this episode, host I test Manus AI's ability to function as an AI co-founder by asking it to develop a million-dollar business idea focused on AI. The system analyzes Y Combinator startups and Reddit trends to identify opportunities, ultimately recommending an AI-powered micro-consulting platform for small businesses. Manus delivers a comprehensive business proposal including market validation, pricing strategy, and even designs a functional landing page.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:41 - Initial Prompt: Ideas for $1M Startup in 18 Months
03:24 - Manus AI Processing Prompt
06:25 - Alternative Use Cases of Manus AI
13:14 - Results from First Prompt
15:19 - Prompt 2: Focus on Niche Startup Opportunities
17:46 - Results from Second Prompt
23:15 - Prompt 3: Validate Ideas with data and trend analysis
27:00 - Prompt 4: Refining data and trend analysis
29:0` - Prompt 5: Creating a Landing Page with Manus
34:23 - Reviewing results from Business Proposal
37:35 - Results from Fifth Prompt
39:25 - Final Thoughts on Manus AI and Startup Ideas
Key Points:
• I explore Manus AI's multi-agent capabilities to generate a viable startup idea that could make $1 million in 18 months
• Manus AI analyzes YC's latest batch, Reddit trends, and market opportunities to identify niche AI business concepts
• The AI recommends "AI-powered micro-consulting for SMBs" as the most promising opportunity
• Manus creates a complete business proposal including landing page design, pricing strategy, and go-to-market plan
1) I challenged Manus AI (a multi-agent AI system) to develop a complete business plan for an AI startup that could make $1M in 18 months.
The goal: See if AI can identify REAL market trends and opportunities better than humans can.
2) What makes Manus different from ChatGPT?
• Multi-agent capabilities (can browse while chatting)
• Can analyze multiple sources simultaneously
• Performs complex research tasks independently
• Creates actual code/designs, not just concepts
3) The COOLEST use cases Greg discovered while testing Manus:
• Converting unstructured data into organized tables
• Analyzing financial reports like a JP Morgan analyst
• Contract review (saving $1500+ lawyer fees)
• Creating highlight reels from podcast audio
• Building websites from scratch
4) The AI identified these KEY TRENDS in the AI startup landscape:
• Vertical-specific AI solutions for regulated industries
• AI agents for specialized workflows
• Infrastructure tools helping others deploy AI
• No-code/low-code AI accessibility solutions
5) The WINNING IDEA Manus proposed: "Spark Console AI" - an AI-powered micro-consulting platform for small businesses.
The problem it solves? SMBs need expert consulting but can't afford $150-500/hour traditional services.
The solution? $49-500/month AI consulting agents.
6) What impressed me most: Manus VALIDATED the idea with ACTUAL DATA:
• 47% growth in r/smallbusiness subscribers
• Direct quotes from Reddit showing pain points:
"I'd love expert advice but can't justify $200 consultants"
"Generic AI tools don't understand my industry challenges"
7) Manus even built a COMPLETE landing page with:
• Eye-catching design
• Lead generation forms
• Interactive business assessment
• Pricing tiers
All without Greg needing to write a single line of code!
8) The LIMITATIONS Greg found:
• You still need to ask the right questions
• It's more like a "junior employee" than a true co-founder
• Takes 10-15 minutes for complex tasks
• You need to push back on some recommendations
9) My takeaway: We're entering an era where the COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE isn't coding ability - it's knowing which QUESTIONS to ask AI.
The winners will be those who can identify trends and direct AI to build solutions that ride those tailwinds.
Notable Quotes:
"In a world where anyone could create software... figuring out what is the brand, what is the landing page, what is the product, and what is the trend... is gonna help you actually build a business, not just build a product." - Greg
LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/
BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/
BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/
Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
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