Episode 759 | TinySeed Tales s4e6: Does AI + Pivot = Success?

In this episode of TinySeed Tales, Rob Walling speaks with Colleen Schnettler, co-founder of Hello Query, as she shares her latest startup journey pivot.

After reigniting her “shipping muscle” while briefly dabbling in an AI-based project, Colleen refocuses on her newest pivot of Hello Query. She shares the challenges of determining the market viability of an AI-assisted SQL report builder. She stands at a crossroads, torn between catering to internal BI teams or exploring marketing analytics.

Topics we cover: 

• (1:25) – Reflecting on the co-founder breakup
• (2:42) – Trying a scratch-your-own-itch project
• (6:27) – Unfair advantages inform another pivot
• (15:07) – Respecting the “emotional runway”  
• (19:23) – Marketing insights vs. an internal BI tool
• (23:01) – The curse of the audience

Links from the Show: 

• Applications for TinySeed are Open Through Feb 23rd
• Colleen Schnettler (@leenyburger) | X
• Colleen Schnettler (@leenyburger.bsky.social) | Bluesky
• Hello Query

If you have questions about starting or scaling a software business that you’d like for us to cover, please submit your question for an upcoming episode. We’d love to hear from you!

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