Joel Salomon – Turning a Manual Process Into Scalable Software

Many great software tools begin with a simple starting point: a manual process that works.

In this episode, Matt welcomes back Joel Salomon to talk about the journey of turning his proven stock-screening framework into a scalable software system. After years of teaching clients his five-step process for evaluating companies, Joel began exploring how technology could help automate the research and deliver insights more efficiently.

What followed was a builder’s journey that many founders will recognize. From manually screening hundreds of companies each quarter to experimenting with AI tools and working with early developers, Joel shares the real-world challenges of translating personal expertise into working software.

Along the way, Matt and Joel unpack the lessons that come from building technology when you’re not a developer. The conversation explores documentation, outsourcing development, managing expectations, and the patience required to turn a good idea into a functioning system.

For builders thinking about turning their own processes into software, this episode offers a practical look at what that journey can actually look like.

Key Takeaways

• Many scalable tools begin as manual systems that prove themselves first

• Turning expertise into software requires translating human judgment into clear logic

• AI tools can accelerate research but still require careful verification

• Outsourcing development requires strong communication and iteration

• Builders often discover the real complexity of software during the building process