From a bankrupt 9-5 to launching MVPs with AI

Constantin, founder of Refined, knows how to turn ideas into products—quickly and without the stress.

After the company he worked for went bankrupt in 2023, he took a leap and launched Refined, a development agency focused on helping people turn their ideas into products.

The goal? Make it fast, affordable, and stress-free.

Constantin realized his favorite part of the product journey was the initial stage—launching the MVP and seeing early adoption.

That passion is what drives Refined today.

AI for Development

Constantin uses AI throughout his development process.

He’s always been an early adopter, starting with GitHub Copilot combined with ChatGPT / Claude, and now primarily Cursor Pro. “If these tools can save me at least one hour every month, then I will gladly pay the subscription,” Constantin says.

His approach is simple: leverage AI to maximize efficiency and minimize time spent on repetitive tasks.

Benefits of AI

For Constantin, the most significant benefits of using AI have been time savings and improved efficiency.

AI has allowed him to iterate faster, tackle larger projects, and keep the focus on what matters most—bringing ideas to life.

“A lot of my development process is talking to Cursor and using the code it returns as a starting point,” he explains.

While he still writes code himself, particularly when facing more complex problems, AI serves as a powerful assistant, guiding him through challenges and speeding up the process.

Key AI Tools

The key tool in Constantin’s workflow is Cursor Pro. In the past, he used a combination of ChatGPT, Claude, and GitHub Copilot, but Cursor has become his go-to.

“Cursor is so good at what it does that I don’t feel the need to use anything else,” he says.

By focusing on a single, effective tool, he’s been able to streamline his workflow and maintain momentum on projects.

Advice for Founders

When asked what advice he has for other founders looking to leverage AI, Constantin emphasizes the importance of adopting these tools early.

“Start adopting AI tools early and learn as you go,” he advises. “They’re amazing, but they still have a learning curve associated with them. For example, the workflow in Cursor is significantly different from VSCode or any other editor.”

By starting early, founders can get comfortable with the tools and integrate them into their processes effectively.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

But Constantin also warns of the pitfalls. “Don’t rely on the AI to give you the right solution all the time,” he cautions. “It can get stuck, go in circles, etc. Use it as an assistant: walk it through what you want to implement, check the code at every step, and make sure to adjust it if it goes down a wrong path.”

For him, AI is a partner in the development process—not a replacement for human judgment and expertise.

Future Outlook

Looking to the future, Constantin sees AI having a huge impact on the development industry.

He believes that more people will be able to build their own prototypes and MVPs using AI tools, lowering the barrier to entry for product development. “I see myself working on more complex projects that AI can’t handle, or helping non-technical people understand what they want to build, how to scope it, and approach it,” he says.

The industry is evolving, and AI is at the forefront of that change. Constantin is excited to see where it goes, even if it means adapting to new roles and challenges.

“If AI will be able to build every project idea out there, no matter how big or small, then the whole industry will have to change—not just me and my business. I can’t predict what the future holds, but I’m sure exciting times are coming!” Constantin concludes.

Thanks to Constantin for sharing. You can connect with him on Twitter @constantout and at Refined

Back next week, enjoy the rest of this one.

Paul

P.S. If you're using AI in your business and getting results, I'd love to hear about it. Hit reply and let's talk.