Nikonomics - The Economics of Small Business 256 - AI Is Here and You Need to Prepare (Here's How) with Amanda Orson
Nov 28, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Amanda Orson, founder and AI advocate, explores how startups can thrive using AI to cut costs and boost efficiency. She introduces 'seed strapping' to preserve equity while rapidly reinvesting revenue. Amanda reveals that up to 60% of their code is AI-generated, leading to leaner teams. She also shares techniques for using AI models like ChatGPT and Claude, including creating specialized thought partners from historical figures and automating tasks for enhanced decision-making. Perfect for any entrepreneur eager to leverage AI!
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AI Is Reshaping Company Size
- AI efficiency gains are rapidly replacing manual human work across many business tasks.
- Amanda predicts this will enable radically lean companies and possibly a single-person unicorn.
Use Seed-Strapping To Preserve Equity
- Use seed strapping: take outside capital once to build an initial product, then reinvest revenue to grow.
- This preserves founder equity and accelerates growth without repeated dilution.
Rapid MRR After Launch
- Amanda launched Navigator four weeks ago and reached $60K MRR quickly.
- She attributes the fast traction to existing relationships and an unfair advantage from her network.