From Wall Street To AI: Building Products That Actually Solve Problems
Manage episode 515363875 series 2825524
What if the fastest way to innovate is to protect what matters most — people, trust, and purpose? That’s the thread in our conversation with product leader Josette Simon, who moved from global finance to a high-velocity AI startup to build tools that solve real customer pain and deliver measurable impact.
We explore how large enterprises can modernize without losing their soul, and why the idea that “AI remembers what humans forget” captures the true power of augmentation. Josette shares how to cut weeks of busywork into hours while preserving the expertise that makes organizations distinct. The payoff isn’t fewer people — it’s faster cycles, higher quality, and more creative space for meaningful problem-solving.
Education and ethics take center stage as we discuss AI literacy, diverse learning styles, and the value of rewarding curiosity over rote memorization. Josette makes the case for innovation with conscience: building guardrails, anticipating impact, and treating society as a stakeholder. Responsible design and transparent data practices don’t slow growth — they earn lasting trust.
For intrapreneurs and startup founders alike,Josette offers a practical playbook: read the culture, map stakeholders, secure buy-in, and tie every idea to real outcomes — revenue, cost, risk, and speed. Her closing advice is blunt and inspiring: make your own seat, pair empathy with edge, and turn “no” into “not yet.”
Chapters
1. Welcome And Career Snapshot (00:00:00)
2. Product Transformation At Scale (00:02:26)
3. Jumping From Enterprise To Startup (00:04:36)
4. Customer Value Over Shiny Objects (00:07:26)
5. Reclaiming The B-Word (00:08:56)
6. AI Remembers What Humans Forget (00:12:26)
7. Jobs, Anxiety, And Human Augmentation (00:16:26)
8. Rethinking Education And AI Literacy (00:20:26)
9. Innovation With Conscience And Ethics (00:24:26)
10. Can Big Enterprises Really Innovate (00:29:26)
96 episodes