Your AI Vibe Coding Side Project: Hobby or High-Growth Business? (5 Tests)

AI-powered "vibe coding" makes it easier than ever to turn your imagination into a working app, but are you building a fun hobby or a viable business? The line is blurring, and many creators are confusing the joy of building with the traction needed for a real startup. This episode provides a framework to help you distinguish between a passion project and a profitable venture, outlining the mindset and practical steps needed to turn a promising idea into a sustainable business. Learn how to avoid the common pitfalls of the "fast fashion era of software" and build something with lasting value.

Unlock the full potential of your product team with Integral's player coaches, experts in lean, human-centered design. Visit integral.io/convergence for a free Product Success Lab workshop to gain clarity and confidence in tackling any product design or engineering challenge.

In this episode:

The Fast Fashion Era of Software: What this new era, fueled by AI, means for builders and why it's both amazing and dangerous.

Hobby vs. Hustle: How to define your intention and why it’s the most critical first step before you continue building.

5 Foundational Lessons: A deep dive into five actionable principles, including customer discovery, the "Build, Measure, Learn" loop, and ruthless prioritization to transition your project from a hobby to a business.

Think Beyond the Code: Learn why you must stop polishing your prototype and start validating your market with real people who have the problem you're solving.

Mentioned in this episode...

Companies & Products: Replit, Lovable.dev, Cursor, RoomGPT, Intuit TurboTax, Betty Crocker

Books: The Lean Startup, The Mom Test

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