New Idea Machine

🤖 Is AI sparking a shift away from Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)?

Last year, Klarna, the Swedish fintech giant, announced they’re swapping SaaS heavyweights like Salesforce and Workday for in-house AI-powered solutions. Now, we’re seeing early signs of others exploring similar moves to cut SaaS reliance.

SMBs are also rethinking SaaS, driven by rising costs and app sprawl (a Zylo report found organizations use only 50% of their SaaS licenses).

This feels like a pivot from SaaS to AI-driven solutions, where autonomous AI agents handle tasks.

Why the shift? SaaS challenges are mounting:

🔹 Need for consolidation
🔹 Skyrocketing subscription costs
🔹 Vendor lock-in & dependency
🔹 Data sovereignty concerns
🔹 Demand for AI-driven efficiencies

What’s your take? Is this the start of an AI-driven software revolution, or is SaaS too entrenched to fade?

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𝑯𝒊 👋🏼 𝘔𝘺 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘙𝘦𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐'𝘮 𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒑𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥/𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝒃𝒖𝒅𝒈𝒆𝒕.

Everyone knows someone who can benefit from:

🔸 Easy-to-use and adaptable apps
🔸 Fractional tech talent

I'd be delighted and open to a conversation!

It’s so easy to get hyped about building a new app.

But here’s a trap founders often miss: cybersecurity.

Lots of founders think, “I’ll deal with it after my MVP’s built and users are rolling in.”

Big mistake.

Good developers already follow OWASP Top 10 (top web app risks) and MVSP.dev (security checklist). BUT, if your app handles stuff like credit cards or health records, you need a security pro early.

A quick $300 consult with a cybersecurity expert PRIOR to building your MVP can save you $20K+ in audits later.

Thinking about an app?

Let’s chat!

Grab a free, no-pressure 30-min consult with our tech advisor to get clear on your next steps.

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𝑯𝒊 👋🏼 𝘔𝘺 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘙𝘦𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐'𝘮 𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒑𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥/𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝒃𝒖𝒅𝒈𝒆𝒕.

Everyone knows someone who can benefit from:

🔸 Easy-to-use and adaptable apps
🔸 Fractional tech talent

I'd be delighted and open to a conversation!

Being non-technical might be to your advantage.

Let’s be real: tech is no longer the barrier.
You can build an app with no-code tools, hire developers, and use AI to generate mockups, marketing copy, and even code.

Tech is everywhere. And that can be a problem.

Because when everything is possible, it’s easy to get lost in the complexity. Technical people end up overthinking features, obsess over the tools, and tinker endlessly instead of moving forward.

In fact, being too tech-savvy can sometimes get in the way.
Because the million-dollar idea?
It doesn’t come from a tool or from code.
It comes from YOU.
From your experience, your intuition, and your ability to see a smarter way.

You don’t need to be tech-savvy to do that.

What you really need are these:
🔹 Vision: You can picture how things should be, even before anyone else can see it.
🔹 Customer-Focus: You know your people. You understand what frustrates them, and what would make their lives easier.
🔹 Problem-Solving Skills: You’ve spotted something broken or inefficient, and you know there’s a better way.
🔹 Leadership Skills: You can lead your team. Communicate. Rally support. Build trust. You’re the glue between the idea and them.
🔹 Resourcefulness: You work with what you have. You’re scrappy. You just start.

These (and many more, of course) are the real startup superpowers.

Because in a world where anyone can spin up an app…
The edge isn’t being the most technical.
It’s being the clearest. The boldest. The most focused.

They’re the ones who see what’s missing and have the guts to go for it.

Tech is the tool. You are the difference. 💡

🔸 The AI Leap That Most Businesses Miss 🔸

If you're a small business owner you're likely busy and overwhelmed.

A.I. might sound like another distraction.

Wrong.

It's a lever. A profound shift.

AI can make your people:

🎯 25% faster
🎯 12% more productive

Most businesses are not utilizing it.

Less than 10% actually get how to use it.

This isn't about code.

It's about mindset.

It's your unfair advantage.
(Thanks to Professor Jeremy Utley at Stanford for these insights)

Here are three ways to stop missing out:

1️⃣ Don't Ask Questions. Direct It.

Example:
Role: Your marketing assistant.
Task: Draft social media posts.
Example: Here's our voice.
Goal: Drive leads.

Then make it ask you clarifying questions.

This isn't a tool; it's a junior partner. Shape it.

2️⃣ Coach. Don't Just Use.

Most people stop at the first draft.

Top performers coach AI.

They give feedback.

They refine.

They demand better.

Treat it like a valuable hire.

3️⃣ Reject "Good Enough."

"Creativity is doing more than the first thing you think of." — A smart 7th grader.

Your competition is settling.

They're taking the first AI answer.

You can be remarkable.

Push for more. Iterate. Don't settle.

This isn't about technology.

It's about opportunity.

It's about doing the hard, strategic work that pays off.

Need a jumpstart?

➡️ DM me. Tell me the outcome you want for your small business and what you're working with. I'll send you a prompt to get you started on the right foot.

Your App Idea Deserves to Exist

You’ve got an idea.

An app that could change lives.

It’s bold. It’s yours.

But tech throws up walls: terms like “MVP,” “front-end,” “back-end.”

You ask, “How much?”

A chatbot says $50,000 US.

You pause.

Doubt slips in.

And that’s how great ideas stay trapped.

The status quo loves your doubt.

It wins when you’re stuck Googling jargon or fearing failure.

But what if you didn’t have to crack the code alone?

What if someone could make your idea feel real—without the noise and AFFORDABLY?

That’s us.

We’re not just developers.

We’re guides for non-technical founders who want to build something that matters.

Privacy compliance? We get it—trust is everything.

AI? It’s a tool we leverage to save you time and money.

Your users? They’re real people with real needs, and we design for their lives.

Every day you wait, someone misses the solution you’re meant to create.

Your app isn’t just code—it’s impact, ready to spark.

You don’t need to know tech.

You need a partner who sees your vision and clears the path.

We've helped founders like you turn sparks into reality.

Name one thing holding you back. Let’s fix it.

DM me & let’s grab a virtual coffee.

I recently spoke with a founder gearing up to launch a game-changing service.

He’d hired a Calgary-based software firm using overseas developers—and thankfully, he’s mostly happy with the product so far.

But here’s the shocker: he didn’t have access to his own code.

Alarmingly common, and a total blind spot for non-technical founders who don’t know what they don’t know.

So naturally, we wrote this guide: https://lnkd.in/gmj4QQQ3

Key tips:
Share permissions, not logins
Choose trusted hosting/domain providers
Secure your idea with an MNDA
Lock in code ownership from day one
Use strong passwords + 2FA (Factor Authentication)

At New Idea Machine, we go beyond building your product—we safeguard it with full ownership, secure setups, and legal protections.

Check out the full guide for practical steps to keep your startup secure!

“Can you show me where you put the car oil?”

I stared at the mechanic, wondering if he was serious.

My car had been leaking oil for weeks. I took it in, paid for repairs, and drove off thinking the problem was solved—until I checked the oil the next day and realized it was nearly empty - again.

So I took it back to the dealership. They checked it over and told me everything looked fine.

“”Where did the oil go?”” I asked.

He shrugged.

And then the mechanic actually asked me: “”Can you show me where you put the car oil?””

I tried not to be offended. Where did he think I was putting it?

Sure, I don’t know much about cars, but I can read, and I know where engine oil goes.

At that moment, I wished I had a trusted friend who was a mechanic - someone who would take me seriously and tell me what was wrong and how to fix it.

This got me thinking.

Is this how non-technical founders feel when hiring someone to build software? Confused. Frustrated. Second-guessing their investment and what they are being told?

When I co-founded New Idea Machine we built it with the intention of being a trusted partner who helps entrepreneurs navigate a complex process, avoid costly mistakes, and ensure they get a product that actually works.

At NIM, we do things differently - because no one should have to feel lost when making critical decisions about their business.

If you are looking for sound advice, we’re here to help.

One thing I can’t stand is seeing entrepreneurs being taken advantage of. My goal is to help as many founders as possible while boosting our local tech ecosystem - but I need your help.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard from founders who:

• been sold MVPs overloaded with unnecessary features, driving up costs and complexity.
• have their IP stolen—one founder lost his life savings ($100,000) to an offshore company and has nothing to show for it.
• are sold apps that meet immediate needs but can’t scale as their business grows.
• been overcharged, which strains already limited budgets.

Here’s what I’m doing to help
Together with New Idea Machine, I’m hosting workshops designed to empower founders with the knowledge they need to avoid these pitfalls.

In our last workshop we taught entrepreneurs:
• How to scale their software Minimum Viable Product (MVP) faster and more cost-effectively.
• How to determine the right type of MVP for their needs.
• The true costs of software development.
• What’s realistic (and what’s not) when building software with AI.

My Ask
If you know someone who works directly with entrepreneurs, I’d love an introduction. Founders can’t do it alone, nor should they have to.

Much appreciated!

‘Wish I knew about New Idea Machine when I first started.’
That’s something we hear often and it never gets old. ✨
Starting a business is tough. Really tough. It’s even tougher when you see your dream and your savings eaten up by a product that just isn’t cutting it. 💸💔

But entrepreneurs never give up. Their drive to create, build, and improve is unstoppable. 🚀
And that’s where we come in. 🤝

We’re not just about coding and designing. We’re about understanding—because we’ve been there too. 🌱
Each of us has felt the highs and lows of starting something new, and it’s those moments that keep us grounded in what matters most: people. ❤️

When entrepreneurs find us, they often say it feels different. And it’s supposed to. 🌟

We’re here to:
🔹 Strip back the unnecessary.
🔹 Focus on what truly adds value.
🔹 Save your precious resources.

We make recommendations we’d want to receive—not driven by profit, but by what’s best for your project and your passion. ✨
We’re here for the long run. We celebrate your successes and learn through your challenges.

Your growth is our growth. 🌱

More than anything, we love seeing the relief and renewed spark when entrepreneurs know they’ve finally found the right partners in their journey.
Thanks for letting us be a part of your incredible journey and for inspiring us every single day. 🙏

💡✨💡✨💡✨

Ready to bring your idea to life?

Let’s chat!
No Pressure, just smart advice.

Confession time: Even as a tech company, we were still running on spreadsheets for way too long. 🤦‍♀️

Seriously. While we build custom apps for clients, our own internal systems were a patchwork of workarounds, manual updates, and disconnected tools.

Sound familiar?

The truth is, like many growing businesses, we were so focused on serving *you* that our own efficiency took a backseat. As someone who's always obsessed with working smarter, it was incredibly frustrating watching our growth hit a wall because our internal processes couldn't keep up.

Spreadsheets are great for starting, but they become a bottleneck fast. They lead to:

❌ Wasted hours on manual data entry
❌ Disconnected teams & missed updates
❌ Lack of real-time visibility
❌ Growth stalled by inefficient operations

We hit that breaking point. So, we're finally building our own custom system – something that truly fits *our* unique workflow.

Imagine: finances, contractors, sales, and clients, all connected in one place.

One feature we're stoked about: real-time client hours and retainer tracking. Our clients can log in and see *exactly* where things stand, anytime. No guesswork, no chasing updates. That's true transparency.

**If you’re a business owner constantly battling manual processes or outgrowing your current systems, you're not alone. We've lived it.**

And we’ve perfected the exact process to help you build custom solutions that scale with your ambition.

Ready to stop getting stuck in manual workarounds and build the system you deserve?

👉 **Let's talk about building a custom app that connects your entire operation and drives your next stage of growth.

Email [email protected] for a free, no pressure call.

A lot of the entrepreneurs we speak to think they need to be techy to build something. WRONG!

While others are stuck endlessly tinkering with tools, the *real* million-dollar ideas come from **YOU.** From your experience, your gut, your vision to see a smarter way.

In fact, being *too* tech-savvy can be a disadvantage.

The true startup superpowers aren't about code. They're about:

🔹 **Vision:** Seeing what's possible before anyone else.
🔹 **Customer-Focus:** Knowing your people inside out.
🔹 **Problem-Solving:** Spotting what's broken and fixing it.
🔹 **Leadership:** Rallying a team to bring your idea to life.
🔹 **Resourcefulness:** Getting scrappy and *just starting*.

In a world where anyone can spin up an app, your edge isn't being technical. It's being the **clearest, boldest, most focused leader** who has the guts to go for it.

**Tech is the tool. YOU are the difference.**

Ready to unleash your non-technical superpower and finally build that game-changing idea without the headache?

🔥 **Connect with us to find out how you can turn your app idea into reality (and revenue!). In just 30 minutes, you will walk away with great advice and a clear understanding of what's possible. It's free and zero pressure. 🔥


Why this works:

It's wild how every now and then, someone pops into your life and just flips your perspective on things. For me, that was Stephanie from Thriivley.

I knew the work we're doing at New Idea Machine is important, and I had a general vibe of why we're doing it. But trying to actually say it? That was a whole different story. It was just so hard to articulate.

Thanks to Stephanie's amazing insights and her skill of drawing information out of people, we quickly nailed our mission and vision. And the absolute best part of all this? Everyone on the team knows exactly what we want to communicate with our clients.

It's this clarity that's truly why we wake up every morning and pour so much of ourselves into New Idea Machine. It's what keeps us going on our toughest days.

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