Jason Toy is the founder of the 88stacks AI image generator, which provides easy-to-use and affordable tools to democratize access to generative modeling and images. Jason believes that everyone should have the opportunity to explore and create with generative technology, regardless of their technical background or expertise. To achieve this goal, 88stacks is dedicated to developing innovative solutions that simplify the process of generative modeling and image creation, while also offering comprehensive training and support to our users. Jason has a strong passion for machine learning and artificial intelligence, where he has contributed significantly to both practical implementation and cutting-edge research.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My typical day is a dynamic blend of growth-focused activities spanning technology, marketing, operations, and general management at 88stacks. I immerse myself in machine learning, storytelling and AI research to drive innovative insights. Strategic planning, hands-on execution, and team collaboration form the core of my approach. Effective time allocation, continuous learning, structured breaks, and goal-oriented task prioritization are key strategies I employ to maintain productivity and meaningful progress across my responsibilities.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Our system is able to recognize trends and news and help content creators create stories. We look at what is being talked about around the word and are constantly creating little stories and snippets about the news to be discussed and shared. This helps us ensure that we are always part of the discussion.
I’ve also been studying the art of storytelling and how to tell more compelling stories. Having a great story is important to stick out from the thousands of other generative AI companies.
What’s one trend that excites you?
One trend that particularly excites me is the rapid evolution of generative AI. I find the potential of generative AI to transform various industries really fascinating. The ability to create content, designs, stories and even entire products through AI-driven processes opens up new avenues for creativity and efficiency. This trend aligns closely with my work and it allows for innovative solutions and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I fill my calendar with time for deep work, work that will move the needle forward. Then every morning I review my list of to-dos and change those deep work slots to specific action items I need to work on. This forces me to use my allocated time for my important tasks. This has been a life changer.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I played with a couple of different business ideas in the beginning because I wasn’t sure which one made sense and which had product market fit. I would have focused only on this idea and not played around with the others to help focus and save time, but I couldn’t have known that ahead of time.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
One belief I hold that often diverges from common opinion is that failure is not only a valuable experience, but also a necessary ingredient for success. In a world that often shies away from failure, I believe that learning from failures is an essential aspect of personal and professional growth. Failure provides us with invaluable insights, teaches resilience, and fuels the drive to iterate and improve. I see it as a stepping stone towards innovation and eventual victory.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
My biggest tip is to make time to move the business forward every single day. This compounding interest will help push you through even when you feel like nothing is happening.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When overwhelmed or unfocused, I rely on a personal rebound routine to regain control. I stop work by 6:30 pm, exercise at dawn, take a day off, update my sleep log, and avoid work in my bedroom. Noticing patterns, like disrupted sleep due to intense work or excitement, triggers this routine. Admittedly, I don’t follow it daily, sometimes due to work’s demands, but documenting it has significantly aided in staying on track.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
A pivotal strategy that has propelled my career growth and business success revolves around strategically harnessing generative AI’s capabilities. I’ve incorporated generative AI into operations, content creation, and decision-making. This approach has had a positive impact on efficiency, innovation, and growth in my ventures.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
One time, I took on a big marketing campaign without fully understanding the target audience. It fell flat, and I realized the importance of thorough audience research. I shifted focus, gathered insights, and restructured the campaign. This experience taught me to prioritize understanding the audience before diving into projects and to adapt swiftly when things don’t go as planned.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A promising business idea that I’d gladly share involves a personalized AI-driven fitness and wellness app. By integrating machine learning and sensor data, users could receive tailored exercise routines and dietary recommendations based on their unique physiology and goals. The app could also incorporate real-time feedback and progress tracking, providing a holistic approach to health and wellness.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Here are the top 3 online tools and resources I’m using to grow my business:
– Google.com/analytics – I use this to help track usage on our site.
– We use Trello.com for issue and ticket management, and overall operations for the company.
– We also use Chatgpt to accelerate everything — engineering, marketing, human resources, training, ideation, and more. Learn to add these large language models into your company processes and you will move faster than the competition.
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
Not exactly $100 but I’ve spent as low as $10 for something that changed my life: a journal for a daily reflection practice. I have a whiteboard on my wall where I have a list of questions that I ask myself, questions like ‘Did I give my best?’ and ‘What’s most important to work on?’ I write answers in my bullet journal, sometimes reviewing past entries. The point is conscious living, aligning actions with long-term goals. Do this daily, find focused time with no distractions, reflect on your actions and why. It’s basically meditation through journaling.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
‘The Power of NOW’ has been an influential book for me, guiding me towards embracing a state of positivity, whether through acceptance, enjoyment, or enthusiasm in every aspect of life. Eckhart Tolle’s insights on practicing presence and inner connectedness resonated with me and has definitely helped me navigate challenges with a more optimistic and mindful approach.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I’ve recently been captivated by a documentary about Andy Warhol that I stumbled upon on YouTube. The way Warhol’s artistry pushed boundaries and challenged norms left me feeling inspired. His ability to merge art and pop culture fascinated me, and I found connections to my own interests for 88stacks.
Key learnings:
- The ability to create content, designs, stories and even entire products through AI-driven processes opens up new avenues for creativity and efficiency.
- Failure is not only a valuable experience, but also a necessary ingredient for success.
- Make time to move the business forward every single day.
- Embrace a state of positivity, whether through acceptance, enjoyment, or enthusiasm in every aspect of life.