Tool Use - AI Conversations How To Build an AI Business With a Moat (ft Mike Leslie)
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Dec 9, 2025 In this engaging conversation, Mike Leslie, CEO of Revela and expert in AI for startups, shares insights on empowering non-technical founders with 'vibe coding' to create MVPs. He discusses the importance of building in-house AI capabilities and navigating the competitive landscape against giants like OpenAI. Leslie emphasizes structured data collection for fine-tuning AI models and warns against being overly dependent on third-party APIs. His advice for engaging customers and maintaining control in AI development is invaluable for aspiring entrepreneurs.
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Validate Quickly With Vibe Coding
- Do prototype as a non-technical founder using vibe coding and AI dev tools to validate an MVP quickly.
- Use that early traction to sign pilots and attract investment before hiring a tech team.
Smaller Models Often Fit Better
- Small language models (SLMs) or specialized lightweight models are often a better fit than giant LLMs.
- Narrow models cut costs, latency, and complexity while matching niche product needs.
Roofer Built Product Without A CTO
- A roofer used vibe coding to build a niche product for contractors and signed clients without a tech team.
- His domain expertise plus AI tools let him pitch investors and start real pilots quickly.