Build Bolder. Move Faster. Think AI-First.

Welcome to Cornice Labs.

Are you on the cusp of something big?

Mastering product problem-solving in the world of AI requires a blend of technical expertise, calculated risk-taking, and adaptability under pressure.

At Cornice Labs, we help product leaders and founders evolve from vague AI goals to concrete, high-value product solutions. Through strategic product thinking and rapid experimentation, we help you get your ideas to market with speed and confidence.

Hi, I’m John.

I'm a problem-solver and a product builder. Whether it's crafting a piece of custom furniture or designing a complex product with AI, I thrive on deeply understanding constraints and creating elegant solutions that deliver results. 

I approach every challenge with the belief that all problems are solvable—it's about having the courage to explore every angle and find the right path forward with purpose and precision. 

When I'm not building and launching AI-driven products, you can find me in my workshop, training for a half-marathon, or navigating mountain terrain on wheels, skis, or by foot.

How I can help.

  • AI isn't just another tool – it's a fundamental shift in how we solve problems. I will help you think differently about your challenges, identifying where AI can create simpler, more elegant solutions. Together, we’ll reimagine how to best reach your goals and achieve results when you start with AI in mind.

  • Why spend months building something you're not sure about? Using AI strategically, we can test ideas and get meaningful feedback in days, not months. My goal is to help you de-risk your ideas quickly and learn what works before making major investments.

  • Product development is evolving rapidly with AI at its core. Drawing from years of experience, I help product leaders adapt to and thrive in this new landscape. Whether you're integrating AI into your products or boosting your own productivity, I'll help you navigate the path forward.

Projects: Proof in Practice

  • Rekindl: Effortless Family Storytelling

    Visit Rekindl

    AI-driven oral history platform currently in private beta. Built complex agentic workflows that conduct empathetic multi-session interviews with elderly users, then craft beautiful written stories from their memories. The technical achievement: creating AI that can maintain conversational continuity across sessions while adapting interview style to each person's communication preferences.

  • Shift AI Personas: Customer Insights to Accelerate Growth

    Built at Mach49

    Generative AI-powered customer simulations that help Global 1000 companies accelerate venture building. Created dynamic, research-driven customer representations that enable rapid hypothesis testing and product-market fit validation. Reduced customer discovery timelines by 10x while providing deeper insights than traditional research methods.

  • Randimal: AI-First Product Development at Speed

    Visit Randimal

    Built a complete AI-powered app in 3.5 weeks - from initial prototype to production with payments, marketing site, and user base. Kids combine any three animals to create magical hybrid creatures with unique personalities and stories. Used AI teammates for full-stack development, copywriting, design, and go-to-market strategy. Demonstrates how AI can compress traditional development timelines while maintaining quality.

  • Liminary: Human+AI Product Architecture

    In Alpha Testing

    Designing the seamless integration of human coaches and AI for life transitions. The core challenge: maintaining context and continuity as conversations flow between AI (24/7 availability, pattern recognition) and human coaches (empathy, lived experience). Building sophisticated handoff mechanisms that let each contribute their strengths while creating a unified user experience.

  • "John is a pragmatic thought partner who is ruthlessly focused on efficiency and results. I’ve relied on him to turn out-of-the-box ideas into tangible, user-friendly products under incredibly short time frames. It feels like everyone’s doing AI these days, but John fundamentally gets how to use it to supercharge even the most nascent product strategy."

    Monifa Porter, SVP of Shift AI and Managing Partner of Venture Building, Mach49

  • "I’ve worked with John to stand up an AI-driven solution that creates tailored product updates so critical stakeholders stay aligned without the constant busywork. He zeroes in on the fastest, smartest path to success, using his deep expertise in AI to come up with solutions that are both creative and incredibly practical. He's a master at turning complexity into clarity and action, and I feel fortunate to have him as a partner."

    Steve Strauch, Vice President of Product Management

  • “John is technically savvy, an excellent communicator, exceptionally detail-oriented, creative, and constantly consultative. Most importantly, he has an innate understanding of what a client needs (not just wants) and is able to figure out how to build and deploy enterprise software that delivers results.”

    Ben Magarick, former Client Solutions Manager, Opower

Let’s chat.