Call Summary: Part-Time Role Definition and Wabi Vision Refinement

Overview

Fourth conversation between Gary and Blas focusing on defining a part-time role structure at Wabi. The discussion refined Wabi's vision of being "the friendliest, least technical place to build software" and outlined three core areas where Gary could contribute: influencer partnerships, creating exemplary apps, and weekly themed drops. Both parties agreed to start with a part-time trial arrangement with potential for full-time conversion.

Key Topics Discussed

Wabi's Vision Refinement

Tension with Traditional DevRel Approach:

• Blas's Core Insight: "We want to be the friendliest, least technical place to build software. And that's feeling a little bit of tension... we shouldn't have a DevRel, you know what I mean?"
• Target Simplicity: "It should be so intuitive and obvious and friendly that my 6 year old can do it."
• Content Strategy Focus: Elevating people, art, community, and software rather than "24/7 Twitch coding vibe"
• Emphasis on Accessibility: Moving beyond technical audiences to reach creative communities

Gary's Positioning and Options

Multiple Engagement Models Discussed:

• Ambassador role similar to Gary's work with Naval on AirChat
• Part-time contributor with specific deliverables
• Potential full-time role after successful trial period
• Event strategy possibilities in Austin with students and hackathons

Gary's AirChat Experience:

• "I got access to it super early on... I just got known by the team as the number one bug filer."
• Nearly joined the team due to productive contributions
• Sees direct parallels with Wabi opportunity

Location Flexibility:

• Blas: "There's no need to make a harsh decision on moving right now... the expectation now for the next six months, whatever, is not to move."
• Remote work acceptable with potential Bay Area relocation discussion later

Three Core Responsibility Areas Defined

1. Influencer Partnership Apps:

• Build custom apps for thought leaders who wouldn't code themselves
• Example Case: Andrew Huberman protocol tracker with multiplayer features
• Gary's Innovation: "A dedicated app for a single recipe" for YouTube/TikTok chefs
• Focus on "blue ocean" of non-technical influencers
• Blas on Huberman App: "If there was a Huberman official app... and there's like 10,000 Huberman fans in there, and the protocol is laid out and people can share. Like, that's a genuine win for him."

2. Platonic Perfect Apps:

• Create exemplary apps for the Explore tab
• Range from simple utilities to games
• Demonstrate capabilities beyond "skeuomorphic copy and paste" apps
• Blas: "What are new ideas that couldn't exist before? Your push up thing being perfect, right?"

3. Weekly Drops:

• Theme-based releases (holidays, new integrations, new models)
• Create ~10 showcase apps per drop
• Example: Gemini 3 drop showcasing 3D game capabilities
• Spotify Turkey Timer Example: "You put in how long your turkey had to cook... and it made a playlist for that length of time. She said it was so simple, but it crushed every year."

Strategic App Development Philosophy

Moving Beyond Existing Paradigms:

• Blas: "I think the more interesting thing is just like, what are new ideas that couldn't exist before?"
• Focus on apps that wouldn't justify full development efforts
• Example: Pavel Tsatsouline push-up/squat tracker (300 pushups, 300 squats daily)

Sociological Understanding Required:

• Gary: "There's a lot of sociology there" (regarding influencer partnerships)
• Need to understand what genuinely provides value to creators
• Balance between technical capability and actual user needs

Compensation and Structure

Financial Framework:

• Gary suggested: "Even like a few thousand dollars a month stipend would be helpful"
• Blas to formalize offer within 24 hours
• Part-time start with potential for growth

Working Arrangement:

• Weekly Monday alignment calls
• Direct Slack access to tech team
• Flexibility for Gary to explore other opportunities
• Trial period to assess mutual fit

Success Metrics:

• Gary's Proposed KPI: "Let's get to the point where a Huberman type person is sharing their app"
• Focus on creating genuine value for influencers and their communities

Key Quotes

On Gary's Unique Value:

• Blas: "You are such a rare unicorn that even having you part time to help us out in this is just going to be such, such, such a lever for me, for us."

On Role Complexity:

• Blas: "This is a hard role to fill because it requires someone as talented as you to do it. Like, it's not like an Upwork thing... the technology isn't there."

On Vision Alignment:

• Blas: "Live tutorials could be sick. But I think it needs to come under the umbrella of elevating people, art, community, software, the ideals of Wabi rather than a 24/7 Twitch coding thing."

On Collaborative Approach:

• Blas: "All of these things would be you and me working together to align on the app idea, the priorities. Like, none of this is just like, here, Gary, go."

On Future Potential:

• Blas: "We have a mandate to do whatever the hell we want. So we just need to find something you're genuinely excited about."

Action Items / Takeaways

1. Immediate Next Steps:

   • Blas to send formal offer/structure document (likely next day)
   • Gary to review and respond to compensation proposal
   • Set up Slack access upon agreement

2. Initial Focus Areas:

   • Identify 10 potential influencer partnerships meeting criteria
   • Begin conceptualizing "platonic perfect apps" for different categories
   • Prepare for potential weekly drop themes

3. Working Structure:

   • Establish weekly Monday alignment calls
   • Direct tech team communication for bug reports
   • Maintain flexibility for remote work initially

4. Success Criteria:

   • Achieve first influencer app share
   • Build portfolio of exemplary Wabi apps
   • Contribute to successful weekly drops

Strategic Context

Wabi's Current State

• Team of 11 people (6 engineers, 3 designers, 1 GTM, 1 founder)
• Recently closed $50M Series A at $625M valuation
• Multiplayer feature launching next week
• Building "Wabi Studios" content strategy

Gary's Career Positioning

• Seeking AI-focused growth/GTM experience
• Values mentorship and team-building opportunities
• Prefers Texas location but open to right opportunity
• Looking for high-impact role in transformative product

Mutual Benefit Analysis

• Gary gets: AI industry experience, mentorship from Blas, flexible arrangement
• Wabi gets: Rare combination of technical, community, and product skills
• Both benefit from: Trial period to assess long-term fit