Hey, I’ve Been Thinking…

Tag: business

  • AI, Meet Main Street: YC Startups I’m Watching

    Real-world tools for scrappy operators like us

    I run a rug company. Not a SaaS startup. Not a VC-backed AI darling. A company that makes beautiful, easy-to-clean rugs for real people with real messes — peanut butter on a runner, juice spills at a birthday party, you name it.

    But recently, I’ve been falling down the rabbit hole of AI-powered tools — not because I think they’re flashy, but because they’re finally getting useful. And nothing caught my eye more than the last couple of Y Combinator graduating classes.

    A massive chunk of these startups are building AI tools. But here’s what gets me excited: many of them aren’t chasing the moon. They’re solving the real, unsexy, painful problems small businesses like mine deal with every day. Logistics. Invoicing. Bookkeeping. Government paperwork. Refund fraud.

    This post isn’t meant to be a full YC recap. It’s just a short list of companies I think are worth watching — and why they matter to folks who are actually running businesses, not just building pitch decks.

    Five Startups I’m Keeping an Eye On

    1.  Hazel

    What they do: Hazel helps small businesses win government contracts by automating the messy paperwork and compliance steps. Think of it like an AI-powered RFP assistant.

    Why it matters: Government work used to be a fortress unless you had connections, patience, and legal muscle. Hazel opens the door for small shops — contractors, designers, local manufacturers — to land serious clients like school districts and city agencies.

    Try it or reach out: hazeltech.ai | august@hazeltech.ai | elton@hazeltech.ai

    2. Oway

    What they do: Oway turns unused truck space into cheaper freight shipping. They basically “rideshare” pallet shipping — you toss your freight into someone else’s half-full truck going the same way.

    Why it matters: Freight is expensive. For physical product brands, it’s one of the top 3 cost drivers. This is a way to lower that cost without warehousing or bulk negotiating. I’d love something like this for our custom rugs.

    Try it or reach out: shipoway.com

    3. LedgerUp

    What they do: LedgerUp is like an AI revenue assistant. It automates your invoicing, follows up on late payments, and even answers questions like “What did Acme Co. pay last month?” in Slack.

    Why it matters: I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to chase a payment that slipped through the cracks. This tool isn’t flashy — it’s just practical. And when you’re running lean, cash flow is everything.

    Try it or reach out: ledgerup.ai | founders@ledgerup.ai

    4. Rebolt

    What they do: Rebolt is building AI agents to replace back-of-house restaurant tasks. They dispute delivery app refunds, respond to customers, and even help hire and manage staff.

    Why it matters: One of our friends runs a restaurant and loses thousands every month to fake refund claims. If Rebolt can claw that back, that’s a game-changer. And honestly, I think their model will spread beyond restaurants.

    Try it or reach out: rebolt.ai | founders@rebolt.ai

    5. Abundant

    What they do: They provide on-demand human oversight for your AI agents. When the bot gets confused, a vetted human jumps in — and their work helps retrain your AI over time.

    Why it matters: We all want to automate more. But when AI fails silently, it costs real money. This gives you reliability and a smarter system over time.

    Try it or reach out: abundant.ai | founders@abundant.ai

    What This All Adds Up To

    A year ago, I thought AI was mostly for coders and researchers. Now, it’s clear: AI is becoming the new labor layer. Not the replacement for people — but the relief from all the stuff people hate doing anyway.

    That’s what these companies have in common. They’re not building “chatbots” — they’re building quiet systems that plug into the broken workflows we’ve all tolerated for too long.

    A Note to Founders

    If you’re working on something like this, I’d love to hear about it. I’m just a guy who sells rugs, but I think there’s power in sharing real tools with other operators. These posts aren’t paid. They’re just my way of making sense of what’s happening.

    And if you’re a small business owner like me — and you try one of these tools — let me know what you think. There’s something really special happening here, and I want to stay close to it.

    Tweet me @ademogu or drop me a line at adem@wellwoven.com. I’ll be posting more of these soon.

  • The Incrementality Approach in E-Commerce: A Data-Driven Method for Measurable Impact

    The Incrementality Approach in E-Commerce: A Data-Driven Method for Measurable Impact

    Introduction: Rethinking Strategies in E-Commerce

    In the e-commerce sector, staying ahead means constantly reevaluating our strategies. Incrementality is not just a buzzword; it’s a practical approach that can redefine how we engage with advertising and product listings.

    Understanding Incrementality

    At its core, incrementality measures the additional impact of specific actions. It’s a tool to gauge whether the changes we make in our marketing strategies are genuinely driving new customer interactions and sales.

    The Role of A/B Testing

    A/B testing serves as a straightforward yet powerful method in this approach. For instance, testing two different rug images on an e-commerce site can reveal which one is more effective in driving conversions. This process offers direct insights into customer preferences and behaviors.

    Advertising Through the Lens of Incrementality

    In advertising, incrementality helps us look beyond superficial metrics like click rates. By comparing the behaviors of control groups and targeted groups, we can understand the deeper impact of our advertising spend.

    Optimizing Product Listings

    Experimenting with various elements of product listings, from layout to descriptions, allows us to discover what truly influences customer engagement and sales. It’s a process of continuous improvement, grounded in real data.

    Statistical Significance and Statistical Dynamics

    A crucial element in all these processes is ensuring the statistical significance of our data. This concept goes beyond the surface-level understanding of data; it’s about being confident that the results we’re seeing are not just random occurrences. Statistical significance is like piecing together a multi-dimensional puzzle – it involves understanding the dynamics of various data points in relation to each other. In this light, we might think of it as ‘statistical dynamics’ – a term that captures the essence of analyzing complex, interrelated data in a way that reveals the true patterns and trends impacting our business.

    Conclusion: Practical Insights for E-Commerce Growth

    Adopting an incrementality approach in e-commerce means making decisions based on data that is not only significant but also dynamically interrelated. It’s about understanding the complex interplay of various factors that drive customer behavior and sales. In this ever-evolving online marketplace, such an approach enables us to make informed, impactful decisions that lead to measurable growth.

    As we navigate through the intricacies of e-commerce, let’s remember that the true power of data lies in its proper interpretation – understanding not just the numbers, but the stories they tell and the dynamics they reveal.