Product Strategy & Thinking
You have an idea but no clear path forward. I help you cut through the noise, define what actually matters, and build a plan you can execute with confidence.
Talk through this →Available for consulting
Go from idea to traction, faster.
5x founder. 18 years of building. I help you avoid the mistakes that kill products before they launch.
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Where I can help
MVP Strategy & Validation
You're afraid of building the wrong thing. I help you figure out what to build first, what to cut, and how to validate before you waste months of runway.
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AI Product Thinking
You're hearing "add AI" from everyone but don't know where it actually helps. I help you separate real value from hype and integrate it without overcomplicating your stack.
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Where I've built
Bucket.io
From Idea to 7-Figure Exit
Founding product lead. Helped turn a marketing tool idea into a SaaS used by thousands, grew it to seven figures, and saw it through to a successful exit.
Qrvey
Building an 80+ Person Product Team
Early team member. Built design and product from scratch, scaled the team from 0 to 80+, and helped grow this data analytics SaaS to 8 figures.
Mashable
Transforming a Media Giant's UX
Worked with Mashable's internal team to rethink platform UX and performance. Shipped a redesign that scaled to millions of readers.
PeopleHR
Simplifying HR, Amplifying Growth
Joined PeopleHR to modernize their legacy platform. Redesigned the UX to be cleaner and faster, contributing to a 7-figure exit.
AskMethod
Leading Multi-Product Development
Digital Product Lead. Managed design and engineering across multiple SaaS products, built team workflows, and improved product cohesion company-wide.
Benchmark
Modernizing a Legacy Platform
Joined Benchmark Email to modernize their legacy platform. Redesigned workflows based on customer research, balancing user needs with technical constraints.
How I think about building
I bring three things to founders: speed, clarity, and taste. Speed to cut through indecision. Clarity to know exactly what to build and why. And the design eye to make sure it's something people actually want to use.
Design Thinking
18 years of creating interfaces people love. I'll help you build something that looks great and actually works.
Engineering Judgment
I've built prototypes, scaled products, and integrated AI. I can help you see what's possible, and what's not worth the complexity.
Team Building
I've hired 500+ engineers and designers, scaled teams from 0 to 80+. I can help you build the right team for your stage.
Founder Experience
5x founder. Products that made money, products that failed. I know what both feel like, and I can help you increase your odds.
Articles
Ideas, frameworks, and stories from 18 years of building. Lessons I learned the hard way, shared so you don't have to.
Software
Everyone Has an AI Problem (Most Are Solving the Wrong One)
Your startup doesn’t have an AI problem. It has a product problem that might be solved with AI. This distinction is everything. Get it wrong, …
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Software
Product Strategy for Early-Stage Startups: A Founder's Framework
The best product strategy isn’t a list of features to build. It’s a clear answer to one question: what change are you creating in your …
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Entrepreneurship
How to Validate a Startup Idea Before Writing Code
The fastest way to validate a startup idea is to try to kill it—and fail. Talk to 20 potential customers, attempt to pre-sell before building, and …
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AI
Why 95% of AI Projects Fail (And the 30-Day Fix)
The main reason AI projects fail is simple: companies start with the technology instead of the problem. 42% of companies scrapped their AI initiatives …
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Software
The Lean MVP Playbook: Build & Validate in 6 Weeks
The fastest way to build a lean MVP is to build the smallest experiment that tests your riskiest assumption—not a scaled-down version of your vision. …
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AI
AI Pod Playbook: Ship AI Products in 12 Weeks Without Hiring
The fastest way to ship AI products is with a pod—a small, complete team that owns outcomes—not traditional hiring. A 3-4 person pod (ML engineer + …
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About me
I'm Max, a software engineer, designer, and 5x founder. For 18 years, I've been building products, teams, and companies from scratch. I've hired over 500 engineers and designers into high-growth startups. I know what works, what breaks, and what founders wish they'd known earlier.
Today I split my time between building my own products and advising founders who are building theirs. I help them think through product decisions, validate faster, and avoid expensive mistakes.
Max
Software Engineer, Designer, Serial Founder
