StartUp / Ai Startups
Track AI startups, new venture creation, founder strategy, product direction and investment signals across the fast-moving artificial intelligence sector.
Companies Are Panic Paying for This Skill. Here’s How to Get In
Summary
Brandon Gadoci launched his AI consulting business five months ago, achieving a run rate of $80,000 per month with minimal overhead. His entrepreneurial journey has been shaped by three years of exploration in AI operations, leading to a strong product-market fit. Gadoci emphasizes the importance of understanding client needs through comprehensive information gathering to deliver effective AI-driven solutions.
He categorizes AI solutions into three levels, highlighting the significance of both deterministic and probabilistic AI for successful implementation. Companies of various sizes are increasingly seeking AI solutions, focusing on change management and integration while addressing security issues, particularly in larger organizations.
Gadoci's approach to sales involves building rapport and understanding clients' experiences with AI before proposing solutions. He emphasizes the need for a mindset shift away from relying solely on existing software solutions, advocating for personalized problem-solving to leverage AI's potential effectively.
The demand for AI services is currently unprecedented, with companies eager to adopt solutions that effectively solve their problems. Gadoci stresses the importance of tying services to measurable outcomes to gain executive buy-in and demonstrate effectiveness.
Perspectives
Analysis of AI consulting growth and challenges.
Pro-AI Consulting
- Highlights the rapid growth of AI consulting opportunities
- Emphasizes the importance of understanding client needs
- Advocates for a mindset shift towards personalized problem-solving
- Stresses the need for measurable outcomes to demonstrate effectiveness
- Encourages the role of AI operators in organizations
Skeptical of AI Hype
- Questions the sustainability of rapid growth in AI consulting
- Raises concerns about the depth of understanding among users
- Warns of potential misalignment between leadership expectations and operational realities
- Critiques the reliance on quantifying time savings and cost reductions
Neutral / Shared
- Acknowledges the complexity of organizational dynamics in AI implementation
- Recognizes the varying levels of employee readiness for AI adoption
Metrics
revenue
$80,000 USD
monthly run rate
This indicates significant early success and market demand for his services.
$80,000 a month
employee_count
400-500 employees
size of medium-sized companies served
Understanding the client base helps tailor AI solutions effectively.
medium sized company but 400 500 person company
employee_count
6000 employees
size of larger organizations served
This highlights the scale of operations and potential complexity in AI integration.
kind of in the 6000 employee
audit_cost
$10,000 to $15,000 USD
typical cost for an AI audit
This cost reflects the investment required for AI readiness assessments.
10 to 15 thousand dollars usually
keyword_searches
over 500 million searches
monthly keyword searches for the .online domain
High search volume indicates strong market interest in alternative domain names.
the word online shows up in keyword searches over 500 million times a month
employee_engagement
5 to 10 percent %
percentage of employees interested in AI
Demonstrates a significant interest in AI among employees, which can drive adoption.
about 10 percent five to 10 percent of the people are already like heading this direction
work
10 years worth of work years
estimated time required for AI development and implementation
Indicates the long-term commitment needed for successful AI integration.
there's 10 years worth of work and implementation that need to be done
time_saved
92 hours
time saved through AI implementation
Demonstrates significant efficiency gains from AI solutions.
we've saved 92 hours and $2,455
Key entities
Timeline highlights
00:00–05:00
Brandon Gadoci launched his AI consulting business five months ago, achieving a run rate of $80,000 per month with minimal overhead. His entrepreneurial journey has been shaped by three years of exploration in AI operations, leading to a strong product-market fit.
- Brandon Gadoci launched his AI consulting business five months ago, achieving a run rate of $80,000 per month with minimal overhead by working from home with a few contractors. His journey involved three years of exploration in AI operations, inspired by technological advancements since November 2022
- His entrepreneurial spirit has been evident since childhood, fueling his curiosity and passion for AI. Brandon believes that success in business should feel natural, and he experienced a shift to strong product-market fit, indicating he was on the right track
- Brandons initial AI skill set included a nuanced understanding of technology and the ability to engage in human-like conversations with AI tools. His self-taught coding skills enhanced his consulting capabilities
05:00–10:00
Brandon Gadoci's AI consulting business leverages a broad skill set enhanced by AI, allowing for efficient problem-solving across various challenges. He categorizes AI solutions into three levels, emphasizing the importance of understanding both deterministic and probabilistic AI for effective implementation.
- Brandon describes his skill set as broad but shallow, enhanced by AI, which allows him to perform tasks more efficiently. He likens this enhancement to having superpowers, enabling him to tackle a wide range of challenges
- He categorizes AI solutions into three levels: using existing features of tools like ChatGPT for simple problems, integrating multiple systems with tools like Zapier, and building complex, custom solutions that combine deterministic and probabilistic elements
- Brandon explains the difference between deterministic and probabilistic AI, noting that traditional coding follows strict logic, while AI provides varying responses based on probability. This distinction is crucial for implementing AI effectively in business
- He observes that every company he interacts with is grappling with AI-related challenges, often driven by leaderships fear or hope to adapt to AI. Many executives feel pressured to engage with AI experts, indicating a widespread recognition of AIs importance
10:00–15:00
Companies of various sizes are increasingly seeking AI solutions, with a focus on change management and integration. The speaker emphasizes the importance of addressing security issues, particularly in larger organizations, while also highlighting the agility of smaller businesses in adopting AI.
- Companies of various sizes, from large organizations to small local businesses, are seeking AI solutions. The speakers team focuses on change management and AI integration to address these needs
- The speaker enjoys helping local businesses, such as gyms, by demonstrating how AI can significantly enhance their operations. This hands-on approach aims to make a meaningful impact rather than just fostering commercial relationships
- The speakers clientele includes medium-sized companies with around 400-500 employees and larger organizations with approximately 6,000 employees. This diversity presents a range of challenges and opportunities in implementing AI solutions
- AI introduces various security issues, especially in larger companies, which require careful consideration before implementation. Smaller companies can adopt AI solutions more quickly, reflecting a broader trend in business agility
15:00–20:00
Many businesses struggle to find suitable domain names, often leading to convoluted options. The introduction of the 'AI operator' role aims to bridge the gap between leadership and operational implementation of AI solutions.
- Many businesses struggle to find the right domain name, often leading to convoluted and unmemorable options. The.online domain is a viable alternative, frequently available and appearing in over 500 million keyword searches monthly
- Larger companies often lack a dedicated budget for AI initiatives, despite executives expressing the need for AI. This creates challenges for consultants trying to implement AI solutions
- The role of an AI operator is introduced, where individuals within a company work with consultants to learn about AI and identify use cases. This role bridges the gap between leadership and operational implementation
- A structured approach to gathering insights from employees involves a templated solutions brief. This process allows for transparent reporting on innovation potential, helping leadership understand where to invest resources
- Consulting service pricing typically ranges from $20,000 to $35,000 per month, depending on the scope of work. Many consultants fail to deliver tangible solutions, while the focus should be on building solutions quickly to demonstrate value
- Churn has not been an issue in the early stages of the consulting practice, as companies discover numerous AI use cases. Training AI operators to implement solutions independently can lead to ongoing consulting opportunities
20:00–25:00
The role of the 'AI operator' is crucial for successful AI implementation, as it helps bridge the gap between leadership and operational execution. A holistic strategy is necessary to avoid the pitfalls of implementing multiple independent AI solutions within organizations.
- The concept of the AI operator is essential for effective AI implementation. Identifying employees who are curious and effective communicators can enhance project outcomes
- The speaker initially charged $4,000 to $5,000 per month for early projects to gain experience. They gradually increased their rates based on market research and the perceived value of their services
- A holistic strategy for AI solutions is necessary to manage various initiatives within an organization. This approach prevents the pitfalls of implementing numerous point solutions independently
- Despite the hype around AI consulting, significant work and implementation are still required. The demand for AI solutions is expected to remain strong as development needs continue
25:00–30:00
Companies are increasingly investing in AI solutions to improve efficiency and demonstrate ROI through quantifiable metrics. Effective discovery processes are essential for identifying use cases and educating clients on the value of proposed solutions.
- To demonstrate ROI in AI operations, quantify time savings and cost reductions. Understanding how much time a task takes during the discovery phase is essential for establishing ROI and highlighting efficiency gains
- Effective discovery involves cataloging potential solutions and educating clients on unsuitable options. This process helps prioritize tasks and ensures clients understand the value of proposed solutions
- For those new to AI consulting, solving a problem for free can build confidence and lead to paid opportunities. Identifying use cases within companies is key, as many inefficiencies can be addressed