The 2 Skills Every Founder Needs in the World of AI

Hello friend!

We’ve hit a tipping point: AI is everywhere. (this is only the tip of the iceberg). Tools are inexpensive (often free), and they can automate tasks at lightning speed. As a result, AI is no longer your competitive edge, it’s just the baseline. Where does that leave you if everyone has access to the same tech?

Let’s explore the two real advantages that separate the winners in this AI-first market.

1. Distribution: The Ultimate Moat

“The best product doesn’t always win. The best-known product does.”

In an era when anyone can build something quickly, distribution becomes the ultimate differentiator. Here’s how to master it:

Build Your Own Audience 

Use social platforms, newsletters, and communities to connect directly with your audience. Launch a personal brand or company persona that resonates. You’ll have a loyal following ready to buy, beta-test and give feedback in real time.

Master Paid Ads 

If you have a funnel that converts customers at a lower cost than your competitors, you can scale almost infinitely. Precision in targeting your niche audience and ad messaging is key. Experiment rapidly with creative, copy, and audiences.

Collaborate and Partner 

Access larger audiences by partnering with influencers or other brands whose values and customers align with yours. This helps you tap into distribution channels you might not reach alone.

Action Tip: If you’re not seeing consistent traction, pick one major channel (YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc.) and commit to high-value content for 90 days. Track every lead source. Double down on what works; discard what doesn’t.

2. Your Second (And Often Overlooked) is Your Unique Superpower

AI levels the playing field in many ways, but it doesn’t replace your unique skills, instincts, strategy and pure entrepreneurial hustle. But each of us have gaps in our entrepreneurial skills.

Tech Founders 

What You Bring: Deep product knowledge, the ability to build quickly, and technical expertise.

Common Pitfall: Being great at building but weak at selling and marketing.

Opportunity: Partner with or hire people who excel at distribution. Don’t just write perfect code—validate that someone will pay for it, and pay enough to make a profit.

Non-Tech Founders 

What You Bring: Solid business operations, marketing, sales acumen, and a knack for understanding customer pain points.

Common Pitfall: Underestimating tech requirements or failing to move beyond the “MVP in no-code” stage.

Opportunity: Use AI and lean development methods to prototype fast. Focus on the user experience and big-picture product strategy. Senior developers become your strategic allies, not just code jockeys.

Hybrid Entrepreneurs 

What You Bring: A balanced skill set, some coding, some sales, some ops.

Common Pitfall: Spreading yourself too thin.

Opportunity: Double down on what you do best. Outsource or partner for the rest. Stay agile, but don’t try to do everything alone.

Action Tip: Sit down today and do a quick strengths/weaknesses audit. Where do you crush it? Where do you struggle? Decide if you need to hire, partner, or learn new skills to close the gaps.

Remember: Distribution is a moat. It’s a skill you can learn. But to truly win, you need a second skill: entrepreneurial execution. Learn sales, operations, and strategy. Fill your gaps fast. Outlearn and outperform the competition.

Final Tip! Niches are still in the niches. Dominate a niche or get lost in the crowd.

Thanks for reading.

Until next time,

Noemi

P.S. I’m hosting a Live Event Thursday this week! It’s an incredible conversation with John Hu (founder of Stan) 8 figure founder and Lara Acosta (Who knows how to create distribution at scale). The 2 Topics You Need to Succeed in this new world of AI.

Don’t miss it! RSVP Here.