Manage, Managing, Management, Mangia! or From a Duffel Bag to Changing the World: The Joy and Suffering of an AI Edu Startup

by Jeff Ritter Posted on 02/11/2025


Once upon a time, before I dared to dream of revolutionizing education with AI, my only real “business” was a mobile recording studio in NYC. And by “studio,” I mean a duffle bag filled with mic stands, a four-track live mixer, and an unhealthy amount of hope. I’d show up, set up, hit record, and pray that nobody tripped over the cables. That was my introduction to entrepreneurship: improvise, adapt, and don’t drop the gear.

Fast forward to today, and I find myself at the helm of an AI consulting startup for educators—an ambitious, exhilarating, sometimes terrifying, and always unpredictable endeavor. Running a startup is like running a marathon where the finish line moves, the track catches fire, and someone in the stands yells, “Shouldn’t you be making money by now?”

Joy and Suffering: The Two Essential Ingredients

Let’s talk about the joy first: The absolute thrill of showing a teacher how AI can lighten their workload, spark curiosity in students, and open new worlds of learning. Watching that light bulb moment when an instructor realizes, Wait, this isn’t replacing me—it’s amplifying me! That’s the good stuff.

Now, the suffering: The endless strategy meetings, tech hiccups, business uncertainties, and the occasional existential crisis (usually around 2 AM). The truth is, education is slow to change, AI is fast to evolve, and convincing skeptical administrators is somewhere between an art and an extreme sport.

The Cavalry Arrives

But here’s the plot twist: I’m not in this alone anymore. A group of experienced, battle-tested minds—educators, technologists, and business pros—are coming together to make this vision a reality. We’re the ones who believe that AI isn’t just a trend; it’s a tool that can empower educators at every level. We’re here to do the hard work, ask the big questions, and create solutions that don’t just sound good in a pitch deck but actually work in real classrooms.

And we’re not doing it the boring way. Oh no. We’re taking a cue from one of the most critical lessons in management: Mangia.

Why Eating Is the Key to Management

Think about it—great leaders don’t just manage people; they manage the stomach. A well-fed team is a happy team. A shared meal is where ideas flow, trust builds, and brilliant plans are hatched over a plate of something delicious. Head, heart, and stomach must all be aligned to lead well. It’s why the best business meetings happen over food, and why AI consulting for educators isn’t just about tech—it’s about people, connection, and, yes, maybe a good pasta dish.

Daring to Change the World

This isn’t just another “AI in education” business. This is a movement for those who dare. For educators who refuse to let outdated systems hold them back. For innovators who see AI as a means to elevate teaching, not replace it. For those who know that real change isn’t a cliché—it’s a battle, a feast, and a grand adventure.

We’re here, we’re hungry (for change and maybe also for lunch), and we’re ready.

Let’s go change the world.