logo
Can One Founder Launch A Million Dollar Product Brand With AI?

Can One Founder Launch A Million Dollar Product Brand With AI?

Forbes3 days ago
Businesswoman laptop using , online shopping concept.Vintage concept
For years, creators have been encouraged to expand into product lines. Yet, the complexities of managing a brand often remain overlooked. Pietra, an e-commerce platform supporting a wide range of launches, recently introduced AI Assistants—a suite of specialized tools designed to help run an e-commerce business.
This new release aims to reduce the need for human teams. Pietra's AI handles many components of e-commerce, including supplier outreach, inventory tracking, marketing, fulfillment and data analysis.
'With this new launch, we're deploying a set of AI agents that you can think about as a digital army of workers,' said Ro (Ronak Trivedi), co-founder and CEO of Pietra. 'They can touch the real world and actually get things done.'
These agents are available 24/7, 365 days per year, no vacation.
The core goal behind Pietra's AI Assistants is to simplify operational tasks. Many founders spend the majority of their time on back-end logistics rather than activities that drive growth.
'E-commerce and direct-to-consumer brand building is highly operational,' said Tala Akhavan, Pietra's COO. 'It's a very tedious process. And most people are only exposed to the final step, like adding a product to a Shopify store. Everything before that? That's the hard part.'
Pietra's platform supports sourcing, negotiations, marketing and analytics. Founders use it to oversee functions that would otherwise require additional software or staff.
'You're not executing anymore,' Ro explained. 'You're the creative director and a decision maker. The agents are your workforce.'
Pietra's AI Assistants are designed to operate independently. They are programmed with specific business data and able to complete tasks based on that information.
'We don't need another AI that tells you to do your homework,' Ro said. 'We need an AI assistant that can actually do the homework for you.'
This functionality became especially relevant during recent supply chain disruptions related to tariffs. Businesses turned to Pietra's sourcing agent to manage the situation.
'We took a six-to-12-month process and reduced it to 48 hours,' Ro said. 'The agent contacted factories, got quotes, calculated landed costs with tariffs, and delivered a quote table and Zoom links to meet suppliers. A process that used to require an agency and several team members now takes one person, one prompt, and two days.'
Each brand on Pietra's platform is supported by a persistent information layer known as the brand vault. This component stores and updates business data over time.
'It knows everything—marketing insights, production cycles, sell-through rates,' Tala explained. 'It's like hiring someone who doesn't need to be onboarded. It saves time and money, and lets founders focus on what's actually unique about their business.'
The AI uses this repository to refine its decisions. As a result, it becomes increasingly efficient.
'We're at the intern phase,' Ro said. 'But like an intern who becomes a VP over time, these agents will eventually know your brand well enough to act with more autonomy.'
There are questions about how AI systems behave when tasks escalate or fail. Pietra's model is designed with approvals and checkpoints.
'You're still the CEO,' Tala said. 'Where you used to stay up late talking to a supplier, now the agent does that for you overnight and you wake up and approve the results.'
Ro and Tala describe AI as a tool that makes brand management less time-intensive. They also say it increases capacity without replacing core functions.
'People don't want a button that designs their logo for them,' Ro said. 'That's the fun part of building a brand. They want AI to handle the stuff they don't want to do—like finance, logistics, procurement. That's where the real value is.'
Pietra's customers include both established and emerging businesses. Ro cited companies such as Road Skin and Houseplant, and mentioned that some larger teams, including those at Everlane, have also used parts of the platform.
Creators and public figures have also launched products using Pietra. Paris Hilton is among those who have released new items through the system.
In one example, a former Pinterest employee used Pietra to launch Grip Baby, a brand selling grip-safe babywear.
'That's who we're building this for,' Ro said. 'She was able to leave her job and grow a successful small business. You can sit down with a cup of coffee and say, 'I want to launch a baby clothing brand,' and six hours later, you've got factories, fulfillment, packaging, and a go-to-market plan.'
Ro explained that this timeline would have previously taken months.
Pietra's leadership sees its AI Assistants as a way to standardize advanced business operations across many types of entrepreneurs.
'We believe every business in the world will eventually have a custom-trained AI working for them,' Ro said. 'Just like Microsoft once said they wanted a desktop on every desk, we want a brand-trained agent in every business.'
For new entrepreneurs, this can reduce initial complexity. For experienced teams, it offers efficiencies in execution.
'Humans go rogue too,' Tala said with a laugh. 'Sometimes AI actually gives you more control, not less.'
AI is reshaping how businesses launch, grow and operate. What was once limited to companies with large teams and budgets is now accessible to anyone with an idea and the willingness to experiment with new tools.
This article is based on an interview with Ro and Tala from my podcast, The Business of Creators.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

iOS 26 Public Beta Is Here: Download Apple's Liquid Glass Update Today
iOS 26 Public Beta Is Here: Download Apple's Liquid Glass Update Today

CNET

time12 minutes ago

  • CNET

iOS 26 Public Beta Is Here: Download Apple's Liquid Glass Update Today

If you've been itching to poke around Apple's next big iPhone update, today's your day. Apple just opened the first iOS 26 public beta (July 23) to anyone in its free Beta Software Program, letting everyday users try the new OS months before it ships alongside the iPhone 17 this fall. The public beta follows six weeks of dev-only releases, capped yesterday with developer beta 4. iOS 26 is Apple's most ambitious revamp in years. The entire interface now shimmers with Liquid Glass, a translucent layer that morphs as you scroll, and an updated Apple Intelligence powers live call translation and a souped-up Visual Intelligence search. You'll also see other perks like call screening and personalized text message chats. Before you download, double-check your hardware: iOS 26 needs at least an A13 Bionic chip, so only the iPhone 11 model and newer qualify. Apple Intelligence features stay exclusive to the iPhone 16 line and iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Also remember that it's still beta software. Expect bugs, battery dips and the occasional app crash. You should definitely back up your phone first (better yet, create an archive on your computer), consider installing on a spare device and keep your computer nearby in case you need to roll back to iOS 18. If that sounds good, here's how to install the iOS 26 public beta. Don't miss: Revert Back to iOS 18 From iOS 26 Beta: The No-Stress, Step-by-Step Guide How to download the iOS 26 public beta on your iPhone As long as you know the risks and have backed up your phone, you can download the iOS 26 public beta. Here's what you need to do: 1. Enroll in Apple's Beta Software Program On the iPhone you want to update, open Safari and visit Sign in with your Apple ID. If you're new to the program, tap Sign Up and follow the prompts to accept Apple's beta agreement. 2. Sign up for the iOS 26 public beta After signing in, choose iOS at the top of the page. You'll land on a dashboard with details about the iOS 26 public beta. Under Get Started, tap Enroll your iOS device. Because Apple now handles betas directly in Settings (no more configuration profiles), all you need to do is link your Apple ID and you're good to go. 3. Enable beta updates On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates. Choose iOS 26 Public Beta from the list. 4. Download and install iOS 26 beta Now, return to Settings > General > Software Update. The iOS 26 public beta should appear. Tap Download and Install and follow the on-screen instructions. Keep your phone on Wi-Fi and plugged in during the update. Once your iPhone reboots, you'll be running the latest iOS 26 public beta—complete with the new Liquid Glass interface and (if your hardware supports it) Apple Intelligence features.

The First iOS 26 Public Beta Is Here, But Think Twice About Installing It Now
The First iOS 26 Public Beta Is Here, But Think Twice About Installing It Now

CNET

time12 minutes ago

  • CNET

The First iOS 26 Public Beta Is Here, But Think Twice About Installing It Now

Now that the iOS 26 public beta is now available, you may be itching to install it on your iPhone and start to experience the new Liquid Glass interface, live translation and other features coming in the fall. But I'm going to be the annoying voice of reason for a moment and encourage you to hold off for now -- or at least make sure you're loading it on a test device. The "beta" in "public beta" is there for a reason. Prerelease software is unfinished, and even though a public beta means Apple is confident enough to seed it on several thousand iPhones, the goal is to see how the update fares before it's deployed on millions of iPhones. Although the iOS 26 developer beta has been pretty stable, one never knows what bugs could slip through. For more on what iOS 26 brings to the iPhone, make sure you check out everything Apple announced at WWDC 2025. I'm Impressed With iOS 26. Apple Just Made iPhones Better I'm Impressed With iOS 26. Apple Just Made iPhones Better Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 5:40 Loaded : 10.49% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 5:40 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. I'm Impressed With iOS 26. Apple Just Made iPhones Better A positive word about installing the iOS 26 public beta The public beta is more stable than the developer betas, which are intended for developers who need to skirt the edges of stability to test their products. But "more stable" isn't the same as "rock solid." Apple is still adding and changing features in the iOS 26 betas before the anticipated release of iOS 26 in September or October. If you decide to install the iOS 26 public beta, I recommend doing it on a separate iPhone that isn't used as your main personal phone. iOS 26 will work with models as old as the iPhone 11, so reach into the back of your tech drawer and put that forgotten iPhone into service. Also, as always, make sure you have good backups of your data. Bugs are part of the iOS 26 public beta Now, let's discuss why upgrading to the iOS public beta might be a bad idea. Software bugs at the development stage are to be expected -- in fact, that's kinda the point. Now is the time for bugs to skitter into the light so developers can catch them and Apple can fix them before the final release. Opening the public beta to more testers helps flush out odd interactions with a much larger pool of iPhones and third-party apps. Bugs can vary across the spectrum. You could face connectivity issues with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, or end up with third-party applications crashing from time to time. And runaway background processes could keep the system running hotter than normal, decreasing not just how long the phone operates on a battery charge, but potentially stressing the battery's lifespan. To be fair, I've never dealt with any show-stopping, brick-your-phone bugs in a beta -- usually, they're a series of annoyances that can grate on you after a while. But all of this is perfectly normal in developer and public betas. But if you don't want to deal with bugs and other issues that could make your phone more difficult to use, you probably don't want the iOS 26 public beta on your primary iPhone. Your battery life may worsen Did you recently buy a recommended portable charger for your iPhone? Expect to make more use of it while running beta software. Energy efficiency is usually the last thing Apple's developers optimize, because the priority at this point is to make sure features work and bugs are stamped out. An iOS update also triggers a host of internal indexing, which consumes a lot of energy for a few hours or days after installation. The Photos app, for example, updates its database of recognized people, scans images for new recognizable objects or scenes for search purposes and looks for duplicates. Betas can be tough on batteries. CNET Performance may take a hit Partially because of the reindexing of gigabytes of data on your phone, the iOS 26 public beta will almost certainly not deliver the performance you might be expecting. Processor-intensive apps and games also need to be tuned to work with the new iOS, so stutters and glitches are normal. Game Mode can improve performance in demanding games but beta software could interrupt such low-level processes. Jeff Carlson/CNET I know it's tough to be patient when future features are just a download away. But I also don't want you to be burned (as I have in the past). For more about iOS 26, see how the new Liquid Glass interface compares to iOS 18.

Sony makes one of the best OLED TVs, this deal makes it $900 more affordable
Sony makes one of the best OLED TVs, this deal makes it $900 more affordable

Digital Trends

time12 minutes ago

  • Digital Trends

Sony makes one of the best OLED TVs, this deal makes it $900 more affordable

Every day we find incredible TV deals, so there's never really a point in buying a TV at the regular price. That is, unless you want one of the best TVs all around, which have more of a reason to not go on sale frequently. They already get lots of attention and have the chops to justify high prices. However, from time to time we do find a great deal on one of our favored TVs. This time around we're see a $900 discount on the 65-inch Sony Bravia 8 OLED, one of our picks for the best OLED TVs. Getting the TV now, which you can do simply by tapping the button below, will only cost you $1,900 instead of the usual $2,800. Read on to learn why the TV is so great, as well as to see the special reason why it's included in our list of OLED TVs. Why you should buy the Sony Bravia 8 OLED The Sony Bravia 8 OLED is a brilliant TV for your living room or gathering area. It's a weird thing to say, but a lot of TVs have a sort of 'hermit' personality and are really best enjoyed with a small group in a dark room. Not the Sony Bravia 8 OLED, with its wide viewing angle and ability to stand up to ambient lighting. This is a TV to grab the crew around and watch some ball or have in your living room to give you some company while you watch the kids. It's a TV to enhance your life with, but it doesn't have to So, why did this TV make it on our OLED shortlist? It happens to be the best Sony OLED for the price. And, of course, by this we mean its standard price. The quality is simply there; it has rich colors and black levels that make things pop, whether you're in the living room or not. So, why not grab it while it is $900 cheaper and you can get it for $1,900 instead of the usual $2,800.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store