I walk through a step-by-step process for building a SaaS product in a weekend using AI tools. The demonstration follows a Reddit post methodology, using Gemini for competitive research, Claude for idea validation and planning, and V0.dev for UI generation.
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
01:08 – Step 1: Choose your audience
02:38 – Step 2: Research Competition
09:19 – Step 3: Get Honest Feedback
11:47 – Step 4: Write a 1-page product requirements document (PRD)
14:14 – Step 5: Break the UI into "shippable chunks”
16:05 – Step 6: Generate UI with v0
21:55 – Step 7: Connect the backend
22:50 – What will make your product standout
Key Points:
• Start by identifying your target audience/niche before deciding what to build
• Use AI tools like Gemini, Claude, and V0.dev to research competitors, validate ideas, and create UI
• Break down your product into small, shippable UI chunks for efficient development
• Focus on solving real pain points rather than just aesthetics to differentiate from competitors
1) FIRST: Choose your audience (the missing "step zero")
Greg emphasizes starting with a NICHE before building anything.
• Identify your unfair advantage
• Start a social account to build audience
• Test ideas with your followers
• Let THEM tell you what to build
This step is critical but often overlooked!
2) Research competitors using AI
Greg demonstrates using Gemini to analyze competitors for a "Goodreads alternative" idea.
• Get comprehensive competitive landscape
• Identify key players you didn’t know existed
• Understand their strengths/weaknesses
• Find your unique angle
AI does hours of research in SECONDS.
3) Get brutally honest feedback
Use Claude to "grill" your idea with 20 tough questions:
• What pain points are you ACTUALLY solving?
• How does your target audience engage differently?
• What’s your unique differentiation?
• How will you monetize?
If your idea survives this interrogation, it has potential!
4) Create a one-page product plan (PRD)
Have AI draft your product requirements document including:
• Executive summary
• Market opportunity
• Target audience
• Core features
• User experience vision
• Launch strategy
• Success metrics
• Path to exit
This becomes your roadmap!
5) Break the UI into "shippable chunks"
Claude can help you:
• Divide your product into manageable pieces
• Define what each screen should show
• Create simple user flow diagrams
• Prioritize what to build first
This step transforms abstract ideas into CONCRETE deliverables.
6) Generate UI with v0
Take those UI chunks and feed them to v0.dev to:
• Create actual visual designs
• Generate functional code
• Iterate on the look and feel
• Download production-ready components
The example shows creating a React Native app from JUST A PROMPT!
7) Connect the backend
Once your UI is complete:
• Download all generated code
• Use AI tools like Cursor or GitHub Copilot
• Add database connections
• Implement business logic
• Connect everything together
And voilà – a working SaaS in a weekend!
Key takeaway: The process matters more than perfection.
You don’t need to go from 80% to 90% beautiful right away.
What makes products stand out:
• Clean design
• Quality copy
• Solving REAL pain points
The goal is shipping fast and testing with real users!
LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future – from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn ‘what if’ into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/
BoringMarketing — Vibe Marketing for Sale: http://boringmarketing.com/
Startup Empire – a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co
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