How do you turn a simple “what if?” into a thriving venture—especially when you’re blending creativity, technology, and a dash of entrepreneurial courage?
In this episode of Triangle Tweener Talks, we sit down with Tina Tang, Co-Founder and CEO of Bristles, an AI-driven platform that helps furniture refinishers and DIYers reimagine their projects before picking up a single paintbrush.
Tina shares her journey from civil engineering and data analytics into the world of startups, navigating the messy middle of product-market fit, and iterating her way from a broad concept to a laser-focused solution for a passionate niche audience. She talks candidly about how she used customer interviews, no-nonsense feedback, and evolving AI tools to refine Bristles into a tool that’s now cutting DIY project mock-up time from hours to minutes.
Tune in to hear:
- How Tina discovered her target market by starting broad and then homing in on furniture refinishers.
- The gritty reality of early product-market fit—what it looks like, why it’s so hard, and how to push through.
- Lessons learned from 200+ customer discovery calls: turning “cool tech” into a practical, must-have tool.
- How evolving AI capabilities, from generative models to segmentation tools, gave Bristles the edge it needed.
- The value of starting small, embracing “good enough for now,” and letting customer feedback guide your next big move.
Where to Find Tina Tang:
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-tang-uva/
- Website: https://bristles.ai/
- X: https://x.com/stocasiaai
Where to Find Scot Wingo:
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thescotwingo/
- Tweener Times: https://www.tweenertimes.com/
- X: https://x.com/scotwingo
In this episode:
(
00:06:23) Immigrant Sacrifices and the American Dream
(
00:13:27) Modeling Brain Functions Through Code Replication
(
00:16:34) Legacy System Analysis for Modernization Success
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00:21:50) Advancements in Neural Networks and AI Technology
(
00:27:47) Revolutionizing Photo Editing with Generative Models
(
00:30:31) Geographical Constraints in Adobe's AI Product Management
(
00:38:06) Interactive AI Photo Painting Tool Development
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00:46:26) Precision Photo Editing Tool for Home Improvement
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00:55:58) Enhancing User Experience Through Feedback Insights
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01:02:30) Bristles and Simplifying Furniture Design Tools
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01:15:52) Demand-Driven Strategy for Business Success
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01:18:15) Zero Friction Addiction: Customer Engagement Strategies
In the news:
- Hidden Gems: Meet Tina Tang: https://voyageraleigh.com/interview/hidden-gems-meet-tina-tang-of-bristles/
- Meet Our Founders: Tina Tang & Anthony Alers: https://ncidea.org/meet-our-founders-tina-and-anthony/
- Startup Spotlight: Bristles.ai uses AI to help folks DIY home design: https://wraltechwire.com/2022/02/08/startup-spotlight-bristles-ai-uses-ai-to-help-folks-diy-home-design/