In this episode of the Know Your Why podcast, Jason Balara sits down with Ben Johnson, serial technical co-founder and CEO of Particle 41. Ben shares his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the powerful connection between technology and business strategy. The conversation explores how entrepreneurs can unlock a competitive edge by understanding software development, the importance of thinking iteratively, and how to target the right customers with the right solutions. Ben dives into the balance between building custom software versus relying on off-the-shelf options, the growing role of AI in business operations, and why data security must remain a top priority. Alongside these insights, Ben also reflects on his personal motivations and the deeper “why” that fuels his work.

Key Highlights:

- Understanding technology gives entrepreneurs a significant advantage.

- Iterative thinking in small, strategic steps leads to business breakthroughs.

- Identifying the smallest actionable step is key to early traction.

- Custom solutions often deliver a stronger user experience than generic software.

- AI can transform business operations but requires reliable, high-quality data.

- Data security remains a pressing challenge in the age of AI.

- Market trends are pushing businesses to make data more AI-aware.

- Helping others succeed drives Ben’s entrepreneurial vision.

- Sharing personal data with AI can enhance performance when done responsibly.

- Human creativity will always define the limits of technological innovation.

Ben’s insights bridge the gap between entrepreneurship and technology, offering a roadmap for founders navigating the digital landscape. His story reminds us that innovation isn’t just about building software — it’s about solving real problems, protecting what matters, and creating opportunities for others. Whether you’re a startup founder, an investor, or simply curious about the future of business and AI, this episode will inspire you to think differently about technology’s role in shaping growth and personal fulfillment.

Get in touch with Ben:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminrjohnson/

If you want to know more about Dr. Jason Balara and the Know your Why Podcast:

⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/jasonbalara⁠⁠  

Audio Track:

Back To The Wood by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.⁠⁠ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/⁠⁠

Artist:⁠⁠ http://audionautix.com/