Founding with Nothing But Your Wits—and a Bit of AI
What happens when you throw two startup coaches into a room with a mic, a topic, and zero script? You get the Zero to Traction podcast’s most recent episode: “With Nothing But Your Wits and AI.”
This time, we recorded live and in person at the Carlson Center at Sac State, tackling a question that’s quietly reshaping the startup landscape: How do early-stage founders build scalable teams—especially when they don’t have one yet?
Let’s unpack the highlights.
Why “Team” Still Rules the Pitch
If you’re raising money, your team is the first gate investors will assess. The old “5 T’s” of pitching—Team, TAM, Timing, Technology, Traction—start with Team for a reason.
Why?
Because your ability to attract and retain talent is a leading indicator of future success. And that doesn’t just mean co-founders. It includes:
Early employees willing to join your chaos
Advisors who believe in the mission
Investors who offer more than just capital
And yes, even customers (we’ll come back to this)
Pro Tip: If someone’s willing to co-found with you, that’s not just support. That’s traction.
Broadening the Definition of Team
We like to think of team as concentric circles:
Inner circle: Co-founders
Next layer: Early hires and advisors
Outer rings: Investors, customers, community
Every one of these players brings something to the table—credibility, capability, or context. And when you’re early, you need all three.
Josh shared this gem: "Your team is defined by your ability to attract and retain talent.” That includes non-humans now. Enter: AI.
Scaling Smarts with AI (Your Silent Co-Founder)
Let’s face it: In the early days, startups are scrappy. You wear every hat, burn both ends of the candle, and then question your life choices.
But AI gives you leverage.
Here’s how founders are using it right now:
1. Faster Customer Discovery
Designing customer interviews is hard. Most founders ask bad questions (it’s okay, we’ve all done it). AI can help you:
Vet your questions against The Mom Test
Suggest better phrasing to avoid bias
Simulate customer responses
Iterate fast
💡 Check out this free AI prompt for testing customer interview questions (via Founding With AI)
2. Prototype Without a Designer
You don’t need Figma chops to validate an idea. Tools like Claude and Uizard let you describe your prototype in plain English, and they’ll build a screen for you—buttons, fields, flows and all.
3. Repurpose Content Like a Pro
We use Descript to transcribe and edit podcast audio with AI. It finds nuggets worth sharing and turns long convos into punchy clips. That alone saves us hours every week.
4. Write Faster, Think Sharper
Need website copy, email drafts, or UX microcopy? AI can crank out a decent first draft in seconds. More importantly, it helps you think out loud—AI is your never-sleeps brainstorm buddy.
AI Won’t Replace Your Team—but It Is Part of It
A good co-founder challenges your assumptions, helps you spot blind spots, and sharpens your thinking. AI can do the same—if you know how to use it.
But don’t get lazy. As Cameron said, garbage in, garbage out still applies. AI is powerful, but your judgment is the multiplier.
Run Toward the Roar
Cameron wrapped with a metaphor from a keynote at Metro EDGE’s Emerge Summit. In the wild, the oldest lioness roars the loudest—driving prey toward the real danger, the hidden young hunters.
His takeaway? Run toward the roar. The obstacle you’re avoiding might just be where your opportunity lives.
One Last Thought
If you're a founder trying to do it all yourself—stop.
Your team doesn’t have to be big. But it has to be intentional. Whether it's a co-founder, an AI assistant, or a customer who's willing to co-create with you—your real job is to build with others.
Because startups aren't built in isolation.
They’re built with wits, grit, and increasingly, a little help from AI.
About Josh David Miller
Over the past decade, Josh David Miller has empowered over 100 startup founders and innovators to launch and scale their ventures. As the driving force behind the Traction Lab Venture Accelerator,
Josh specializes in guiding early-stage startups through the intricate journey from ideation to product-market fit. His expertise lies in transforming innovative concepts into viable, market-ready solutions, ensuring entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of the startup ecosystem with confidence and strategic insight.
About Cameron R. Law
Cameron R. Law is a Sacramento native dedicated to building community, growing ecosystems, and empowering entrepreneurs.
As the Executive Director of the Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at California State University, Sacramento, he leverages his passion for the region to foster innovation and support emerging ventures. Through his leadership, Cameron plays a pivotal role in shaping Sacramento's entrepreneurial landscape, ensuring that innovators and builders have the resources and support they need to succeed.
