Prodity: Product by Design

Todd Katcher is the Chief Product Officer at Digital Dealership System and founder of Zoney Digital Signage. He started out running a small network of ad screens in Nashville bars. A single conversation with a regular pointed him toward car dealerships, and that became a 12-year business serving thousands of dealerships.In this episode, Kyle and Todd talk about how one conversation can change a company’s direction, and how Todd’s team builds its own tools when off-the-shelf software covers only 80% of what they need. That approach produced Zoney, Convert It, PriceAlerts, and an e-signature platform. Todd explains how he decides what to build, what to keep internal, and what to take to market, including why building their own CRM didn’t make the cut. They also take an honest look at AI: where it saves real time, where it still needs a critical human eye, and why managing expectations matters. The conversation closes on Todd’s biggest lesson: making the product is rarely the hard part. Getting people to buy it is.Key TopicsMoving from a bar ad network, where advertisers pay, to a dealership managed service, where the venue paysHow one conversation or introduction can change an entrepreneur’s pathThe “80% solution” test: when to buy software, when to build it, and when to productize what you builtWhy Todd put building their own CRM on hold, and what a migration really costsUsing AI across marketing, hiring, support, and “copy-and-paste” development as a non-coderAI hype vs. reality: dictation as a thinking tool, and why no single prompt gives you a finished productHow AI is changing interfaces and speed to market more than the products themselvesGo-to-market as the real challenge: “The best product doesn’t win”Links from the Show:Website: toddkatcher.comLinkedIn: Todd KatcherMore by Kyle:Follow Prodity on TikTokFollow Kyle on TikTokSign up for the Prodity Newsletter for more updates.Kyle's writing on MediumProdity on MediumLike our podcast, consider Buying Us a Coffee or supporting us on Patreon

Discover how seasoned technology executive Ken Gavranovic shares insights on building innovative products, leading digital transformation, and harnessing AI to drive business growth. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a product leader, learn practical strategies to navigate and excel in the tech landscape.In this episode:Ken Gavranovic’s journey from early computer programming to leading multi-million dollar venturesThe importance of clear success metrics versus activity metrics in product developmentHow observability and customer feedback drive product improvementsStrategies for managing cultural and organizational change during transformationThe impact of AI on engineering productivity and product innovationPractical tips for setting goals versus making rigid commitmentsThe role of risk-taking in entrepreneurial successFuture trends in AI and how they will shape business and customer experiencesLinks from the Show:Website: Ken GavranovicBook: Colombus DayMore by Kyle:Follow Prodity on TikTokFollow Kyle on TikTokSign up for the Prodity Newsletter for more updates.Kyle's writing on MediumProdity on MediumLike our podcast, consider Buying Us a Coffee or supporting us on Patreon

In this episode of Product by Design, Kyle Evans interviews RJ Kedziora, co-founder of Estenda, a company specializing in custom software and data analysis for healthcare. We discuss RJ's journey in technology and entrepreneurship, the importance of energy management over time management, and the role of AI in healthcare. RJ shares insights into the challenges and future of AI applications, the need for ethical considerations, and the potential for personalized healthcare solutions. He also offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make a difference in the industry.Links from the Show:Website: EstendaBook: Productive Harmony, The Power of When LinkedIn: RJ KedzioraMore by Kyle:Follow Prodity on TikTokFollow Kyle on TikTokSign up for the Prodity Newsletter for more updates.Kyle's writing on MediumProdity on MediumLike our podcast, consider Buying Us a Coffee or supporting us on Patreon

In this episode of Prodity: Product by Design, Kyle Evans interviews Andrew Amann, CEO and co-founder of NineTwoThree AI Studio. Andrew shares his extensive experience in entrepreneurship, product development, and the challenges of building AI products. We discuss the importance of understanding product-market fit, the patent process, and the journey of founding multiple companies. Andrew emphasizes the significance of focusing on a specific audience and the value of holistic entrepreneurship, where success is measured not just by financial gain but also by personal fulfillment and work-life balance. We also explore the future of AI, its applications across various industries, and the evolving landscape of technology.Andrew AmannAndrew Amann is the CEO and co-founder of NineTwoThree AI Studio, an AI Agency building products for funded startups and established brands, such as Consumer Reports, Simplisafe, and Experian. He is the founder of 14 companies with 3 exits, owner of 2 patents, and founder of an Agency Intelligence Community.Links from the Show:Company: NineTwoThree LinkedIn: Andrew Amann Book: The Alchemist More by Kyle:Follow Prodity on Twitter and TikTokFollow Kyle on Twitter and TikTokSign up for the Prodity Newsletter for more updates.Kyle's writing on MediumProdity on MediumLike our podcast, consider Buying Us a Coffee or supporting us on Patreon

In this episode of Prodity: Product by Design, Kyle chats with Jason Monberg, CEO of Presence, about the power of product thinking, the thrill of building from scratch, and the importance of team chemistry. With over 25 years of experience spanning engineering, product management, and entrepreneurship, Jason shares lessons from starting companies like Carbon Five and Presence, including how to find the right people, build resilient teams, and apply technology thoughtfully. We also dive into the hype and reality of GenAI, navigating constraints in enterprise organizations, and yes—even homemade pizza ovens. It’s a wide-ranging and insightful conversation you won’t want to miss.Jason MonbergJason Monberg is the founder of South Park Products and the former CEO of Presence. He has over 25 years of experience in digital product development. He previously served as VP of Product Management at MarkLogic, where he drove product strategy and achieved $80 million in annual revenue. Jason also founded Carbon Five, a consultancy specializing in agile software development, and helped grow Composite Software to $20 million in revenue.Links from the Show:Company: Presence Consulting LinkedIn: Jason MonbergBook: The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses by Jesse SchellOther: Ooni Pizza OvensMore by Kyle:Follow Prodity on Twitter and TikTokFollow Kyle on Twitter and TikTokSign up for the Prodity Newsletter for more updates.Kyle's writing on MediumProdity on MediumLike our podcast, consider Buying Us a Coffee or supporting us on Patreon

In this episode of Product by Design, Kyle is joined by Kirk Marple, founder and CEO of Graphlit, to explore the world of unstructured data and how it’s transforming with the rise of LLMs and AI-native tools. Kirk shares his journey from working at Microsoft and General Motors to building Graphlit—a platform designed to make unstructured data as usable as structured data.We dive into:The difference between structured and unstructured dataReal-world use cases across industries like healthcare, real estate, and constructionBuilding long-term knowledge graphs and their role in enabling better search and RAG applicationsLessons learned from starting a developer-focused platformBalancing horizontal scale with vertical specificityThe importance of product vision, scalability, and listening to customersHow AI is reshaping engineering and product development from the ground upWhether you're a founder, developer, product manager, or just curious about the future of AI-powered data platforms, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.Links from the Show:Kirk MarpleGraphlitMore by Kyle:Follow Prodity on Twitter and TikTokFollow Kyle on Twitter and TikTokSign up for the Prodity Newsletter for more updates.Kyle's writing on MediumProdity on MediumLike our podcast, consider Buying Us a Coffee or supporting us on Patreon

In this episode of Prodity: Product by Design, Kyle interviews Andrew Einhorn, CEO and co-founder of LevelFields, an AI-driven fintech application that automates investment research. Andrew shares his unique background in epidemiology and data science, detailing how it led him to create LevelFields, which focuses on event-driven trading strategies. The conversation explores the importance of user feedback, the role of AI in investment analysis, and how LevelFields differentiates itself from traditional investment platforms. Andrew emphasizes the need for continuous innovation and the lessons learned from his previous ventures.TakeawaysUser feedback is crucial for product development and improvement.AI helps in analyzing vast amounts of data quickly and efficiently.Understanding user behavior is key to designing effective software.Continuous innovation is essential for staying relevant in the fintech space.Andrew EinhornAndrew Einhorn is the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of LevelFields, an AI-driven fintech application that automates arduous investment research so investors can find opportunities faster and easier. His mission is to create AI tools that make advanced financial strategies effortless and accessible for all. With over 10 years of experience in building and leading technology and tech-enabled service firms, Andrew has a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions that solve real-world problems and generate value for customers and stakeholders.Links from the Show:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/einhorn/Website: https://www.levelfields.ai/More by Kyle:Follow Prodity on Twitter and TikTokFollow Kyle on Twitter and TikTokSign up for the Prodity Newsletter for more updates.Kyle's writing on MediumProdity on MediumLike our podcast, consider Buying Us a Coffee or supporting us on Patreon

In this episode of Product by Design, Kyle chats with Sandy Ryza, lead engineer on the Dagster project, author, and thought leader in data engineering. Sandy shares his journey through the world of data—from building big data tools at Cloudera to working as a data scientist, product manager, and engineer—and how those experiences led him to help create Dagster, an open-source data orchestration platform.We discuss:The evolution of data engineering and the growing complexity of modern data pipelines.The role of AI and unstructured data in shaping the future of data platforms.How organizations should think about data platforms to avoid costly rework.Best practices for managing data complexity using software engineering principles.The future of open-source tools in data infrastructure and the push toward interoperability.Sandy RyzaSandy is a lead engineer, author, and thought leader in the domain of data engineering. Sandy co-wrote “Advanced Analytics with PySpark” and “Advanced Analytics with Spark”. He led ML and data science teams at Cloudera, Remix, Clover Health, and KeepTruckin.Sandy is currently the lead engineer on the Dagster project, an open-source data orchestration platform used in MLOps, data science, IOT and analytics. Sandy is a regular speaker at data engineering and ML conferences.Links from the Show:Twitter: @s_RYZDagster: dagster.ioBook: Advanced Analytics with Spark – O'ReillyPodcast Recommendation: Empire (British Empire & Ottoman Empire history)Books Sandy is Reading: The Shortest History of India, The Sun Also Rises, Werner Herzog’s AutobiographyMore by Kyle:Follow Prodity on Twitter and TikTokFollow Kyle on Twitter and TikTokSign up for the Prodity Newsletter for more updates.Kyle's writing on MediumProdity on MediumLike our podcast, consider Buying Us a Coffee or supporting us on Patreon

In this episode of Product by Design, host Kyle sits down with JB Benjamin, the CEO and founder of multiple tech companies under the Akuma Engineering umbrella. JB shares his innovative journey in building products designed for a more equitable, decentralized, and privacy-focused digital future.From post-quantum encrypted messaging tools to Vox Alive's ad-free social media platform, JB dives deep into the philosophies and technologies driving his work. We discuss everything from post-quantum encryption to blockchain to Universal Basic Income. You won't want to miss this one.JB BenjaminJB "Jor-El" Benjamin is a tech maverick reshaping the digital landscape. JB has introduced the world to Vox Messenger, a trailblazing post-quantum encrypted messenger, and Vox Crypto, an unprecedented group transaction crypto wallet, both renowned for their ironclad protection of personal data.Links from the Show:Websites: Akuma, Vox AliveMore by Kyle:Follow Prodity on Twitter and TikTokFollow Kyle on Twitter and TikTokSign up for the Prodity Newsletter for more updates.Kyle's writing on MediumProdity on MediumLike our podcast, consider Buying Us a Coffee or supporting us on Patreon

In this episode, Kyle sits down with Jake Moshenko, co-founder and CEO of AuthZed, to discuss his journey from working at major tech companies to becoming a two-time founder. After his first company Quay (a Docker registry service) was acquired, he founded AuthZed to solve application permission challenges. Jake shares the contrasts between his two founding experiences, transitioning from a bootstrapped two-person company to a venture-backed enterprise-focused business. He emphasizes the importance of choosing the right problem space and being prepared for the long journey of entrepreneurship. We also discuss the significance of open-source in modern software development and his perspectives on AI technology.Jake MoshenkoJake Moshenko has been an innovator in the cloud-native ecosystem for over 15 years. After engineering roles at Amazon and Google, Jake founded Quay, the first private Docker registry, which was acquired by CoreOS. Jake then became an engineering leader at CoreOS, which was acquired by Red Hat (and then IBM). He is now the co-founder and CEO of AuthZed, the company commercializing SpiceDB, the industry-leading cloud-native permissions database.Links from the Show:LinkedIn: Jake MoshenkoWebsite: AuthZedBooks: The MartianGames: AzulMore by Kyle:Follow Prodity on Twitter and TikTokFollow Kyle on Twitter and TikTokSign up for the Prodity Newsletter for more updates.Kyle's writing on MediumProdity on MediumLike our podcast, consider Buying Us a Coffee or supporting us on Patreon