Tech It or Leave It

He Built a Data Tool for Cafés That Can't Compete With Starbucks. From Scratch, Solo

Small businesses say they want to support local. But local keeps closing. In this episode of Tech It or Leave It, we sit down with Firdaus Izam, solopreneur and founder of CHUPJER — a tool built to give F&B owners the same data, systems, and decision-making clarity that big chains run on. Without the corporate budget. Without the tech team. Because passion doesn't pay the rent. And gut feel doesn't scale. Here's what you'll learn in this episode: ✅ How Firdaus went from running a digital studio to building his own product, solo  ✅ The real reason small F&B businesses keep losing to the big chains (it's not the coffee)  ✅ How to introduce tech to business owners who think they don't need it and change their mind ✅ What trade-offs actually matter when you're building an MVP with limited time and resources  ✅ The minimum data a small business needs to start making smarter decisions today If you're a non-technical founder trying to build something real, this one's for you. Follow Firdaus: https://www.threads.com/@firdausizam89 https://www.linkedin.com/in/firdausizam/ More about CHUPJER: https://chupjer.com/ Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2488877/support] 🎙️ More from Adrian & Upstack Studio Website: https://upstackstudio.com [https://upstackstudio.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianchinghc [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianchinghc] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@adrianchinghc [https://www.youtube.com/@adrianchinghc] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adrianchinghc [https://www.instagram.com/adrianchinghc]

He Vibe-Coded a Product and Is Now Scaling It Across Southeast Asia

Most founders spend months planning the perfect product. Syakir shipped one. In this episode of Tech It or Leave It, we sit down with Syakir, founder of Jobtepi — a platform his team built using AI and vibe coding, now scaling across Southeast Asia to fix what Fiverr and Upwork miss: local context, trust, and turning skills into real income. This isn't a story about shortcuts. It's about the decisions that actually matter when you're building tech without a technical background. Here's what you'll learn in this episode: ✅ Tips on how a non-technical founder goes from idea to working product — fast — using AI tools like Bolt and Cursor  ✅ Where vibe coding actually helps, and where human judgment still wins  ✅ How Syakir validated Jobtepi before building too much — and the first signal that told him to scale  ✅ The V1 launch checklist every non-tech founder needs before they ship  ✅ What most founders get wrong when choosing between an agency, a freelancer, or building it themselves If you have an idea and can't code, this episode is your playbook. Follow Syakir: https://www.threads.com/@alongrocketx More about JobTepi: https://jobtepi.my/ Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2488877/support] 🎙️ More from Adrian & Upstack Studio Website: https://upstackstudio.com [https://upstackstudio.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianchinghc [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianchinghc] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@adrianchinghc [https://www.youtube.com/@adrianchinghc] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adrianchinghc [https://www.instagram.com/adrianchinghc]

Stop Wasting Money on the WRONG Software (Lessons from a Founder)

Switching 3 accounting tools in 2 years nearly broke his ops. This episode is for non-technical founders choosing software that actually works. Terrance, founder of Dash Oil, built a tech-enabled business in a traditional space by starting with riders (not software), validating 10 → 100 → 1,000+ users, and fixing ops before picking tools.  We also dive into the messy middle of tech adoption. What happens when off-the-shelf tools can’t keep up with shifting business models (B2C → B2B), why loyalty programs fail without field execution, and how to use tech to connect customers, retail partners, and internal teams to your end goal: trustworthy data and better decisions. What you’ll learn * A simple validation path: 10 → 100 → 1,000+ customers * When “easy” tools become expensive (and how to avoid tool-hopping) * The hidden risks in loyalty/CRM (retailers claiming rewards for users) * A founder’s framework to adopt tech for outcomes, not aesthetics * Bridging B2C and B2B workflows without breaking your ops  Ready to scale with smarter tech decisions?  Listen now! Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2488877/support] 🎙️ More from Adrian & Upstack Studio Website: https://upstackstudio.com [https://upstackstudio.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianchinghc [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianchinghc] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@adrianchinghc [https://www.youtube.com/@adrianchinghc] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adrianchinghc [https://www.instagram.com/adrianchinghc]

6 Human+AI Skills That Will Make or Break Founders in 2025

Your brain might be the biggest barrier to AI adoption, and Aster Wei explains why. In this episode, we sit down with Aster Wei, founder of OTTI, the NeuroLearning Institute, to explore the human side of AI transformation. While most conversations focus on technology, Aster reveals that resistance to AI often begins in the brain itself - our natural fear of change. She introduces Human-AI Synergy, a framework designed to combine digital skills with human strengths. From critical thinking to creative problem-solving, Aster breaks down how leaders and teams can embrace AI without losing the very abilities that make us human. Whether you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or team leader, this episode will help you understand how to train your brain and your workforce to work with AI, not against it. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: * Why the human brain resists AI adoption (and how to overcome it) * The six components of the Human-AI Synergy skill set * Practical tips for designing AI-augmented workflows * How to avoid becoming “dumb and lazy” with AI overuse * The mindset shift leaders need for successful AI transformation 👉 Listen to the full episode now! Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2488877/support] 🎙️ More from Adrian & Upstack Studio Website: https://upstackstudio.com [https://upstackstudio.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianchinghc [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianchinghc] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@adrianchinghc [https://www.youtube.com/@adrianchinghc] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adrianchinghc [https://www.instagram.com/adrianchinghc]

The New Playbook On How to Hire & Build Tech Products in the AI Era

Degrees are dead. AI is the new diploma, and Deric Yee has the receipts. In this episode of Tech It or Leave It, we sit down with Deric Yee, founder of Sigma School, to unpack why traditional education is failing entrepreneurs and how AI is reshaping the future of tech careers. Derek shares his raw journey. From rejection to building a bootcamp with a “job or money back” guarantee, and the unfiltered lessons every non-technical founder needs to hear. We explore how AI is transforming developer productivity, why most products fail (hint: it’s not the code), and what business owners should focus on if they want to scale. Whether you’re a founder struggling with tech hires or a business leader curious about AI, this episode will give you the playbook you can’t afford to ignore. What you’ll learn: ➡️ Why degrees no longer guarantee success in tech (and what matters instead) ➡️ How AI is reshaping teams, coding, and founder responsibilities ➡️ Derek’s blunt advice to non-technical founders on hiring and scaling 👉 Watch the full episode now!  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2488877/support] 🎙️ More from Adrian & Upstack Studio Website: https://upstackstudio.com [https://upstackstudio.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianchinghc [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianchinghc] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@adrianchinghc [https://www.youtube.com/@adrianchinghc] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adrianchinghc [https://www.instagram.com/adrianchinghc]