256 - AI Is Here and You Need to Prepare (Here's How) with Amanda Orson

Nikonomics - The Economics of Small Business

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Amanda Orson (https://x.com/amandaorson). We dive deep into how massive efficiency gains from AI are revolutionizing startups, allowing companies to run much leaner than ever before. Amanda explains her approach of Seed strapping—taking outside capital just once to get the initial product, like Navigator or the B2B directory, off the ground, and then relying on rapid revenue reinvestment to accelerate growth and preserve equity.

She reveals that between 50% and 60% of their code is now AI generated, and we discuss the possibility of the first single person unicorn company. We focus heavily on practical AI frameworks, including how Amanda uses ChatGPT's operator as a "proof of concept" to validate whether or not a function can be automated before investing further.

We break down the differences between using ChatGPT versus Claude, with Amanda emphasizing that Claude is often superior for creating "tighter" projects that involve deep research and dynamic artifacts. Plus, she shares her incredible "cheat code" for turning historical figures or admired business leaders—like Edwin Land or Elon Musk—into specialized AI thought partners by curating their transcripts and distillations.

She even offers a starting point for any business owner looking to dive into AI for the first time.

Enjoy the conversation!__________________________

Questions This Episode Answers:

What is Seed strapping and how can it help founders preserve equity?

How much leaner can a modern company run now that AI can generate code?

What is the "genius framework" for using operator to validate the feasibility of automation?

How can you use Claude projects to create a specialized AI thought partner out of business idols?

Should you use ChatGPT or Claude as your primary AI workhorse for data projects?

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This week we covered:
00:00 The Rise of AI and Its Impact on Business

02:55 Seed Strapping: A New Approach to Funding

06:07 Leveraging AI for Efficiency and Growth

09:04 Using AI as a Thought Partner

11:51 Data Management and Analysis with AI

15:06 The Future of AI in Business

17:58 Practical Applications of AI Tools

21:10 Navigating AI for Business Owners