Navigating Ambition, Family, and AI with Brian Balfour of Reforge In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs speaks with Brian Balfour, founder and CEO of Reforge. The episode covers Brian’s entrepreneurial journey, including his time at Viximo and HubSpot, and the challenges and strategies he employed in building Reforge since 2016. Brian shares insights on balancing being a venture-backed founder and a dad, embracing and managing ambition healthily, and the transformative impact of AI on product teams. The conversation delves into Reforge’s pivot to incorporating AI, its acquisition of Monterey.ai, and the future implications of AI on startup building and venture capital. Jason and Brian also discuss the evolving landscape of AI tools and the importance of being on the front lines of technology adoption. 

00:00 Introduction to Brian Balfour 

00:31 Brian's Early Ventures and Reforge 

00:46 Balancing Ambition and Family 

00:56 The Role of AI in Reforge 

02:03 The Next Next: A Learning Journey 

02:44 Brian's Entrepreneurial Journey 

05:29 The Impact of Family on Ambition 

06:48 Navigating Challenges and Opportunities 

22:59 AI's Disruption in Education and Product Teams 

32:08 Transitioning to AI Native Product Teams 

32:42 Building vs. Acquiring AI Products 

33:24 Utilizing AI in Training and Content Creation 

38:31 Impact of AI on Team Structure and Efficiency 

41:24 Future of Startups and AI 

47:53 Venture Capital and Startup Culture 

50:17 Navigating AI Tools and Automation 

52:03 Advice and Future Plans 

01:02:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts