Wesley Francis

Wesley Francis

Wesley Francis is a Product Leader and Full-Stack Engineer with 12+ years building software and 3+ years leading cross-functional teams. He's shipped to 1M+ users, led engineering and product across three teams at Xello, and founded two AI products from zero — including Briske, a voice-first field service management platform built for contractors who can't stop to type. He brings rare technical depth to product leadership: able to go deep in a codebase, then zoom out to roadmap strategy. He's currently exploring the intersection of AI and voice interfaces, and building toward a future where software works the way people actually do.

Product Work

The Problem

Teams waste hours on project management overhead—context-switching between tools, manually updating status, and fighting to keep information synchronized. Traditional PM tools are rigid databases that don't understand context or adapt to how teams actually work.

Problem visualization

The Solution

Built an AI-first automation platform that treats natural language as the primary interface. Users manage projects through voice and chat while the system handles routing, updates, and insights. Integrated Claude API for contextual understanding and intelligent task management.

  • Voice-first interface: describe work naturally vs. form-filling
  • MCP tooling integration: system can take actions, not just suggest
  • Real-time sync: eliminated "save" and "refresh" friction
  • Progressive disclosure: AI complexity hidden until needed
Solution interface

Status & Learnings

Current Status: Shipping MVP, validating core workflows with early users

Key Lessons:

  • Voice interfaces require different UX thinking—users don't "navigate", they converse
  • AI reliability is a product problem, not just a tech problem—need fallbacks and confidence indicators
  • Real-time sync is table stakes for AI tools—users expect instant feedback

Tech Stack: SvelteKit, FastAPI, Claude API, Voice Integration, WebSocket

The Problem

Contractors are drowning in administrative work—invoices, estimates, change orders, and scheduling overwhelm them, taking time away from actual construction. Traditional project management tools are complex, require extensive training, and don't integrate with the financial systems contractors already use.

The Solution

Built a voice-first AI project management platform specifically for Canadian contractors. Briske integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks Online, automates client communication through a secure portal, and uses natural language interfaces to eliminate friction from project tracking.

  • Voice-first interface: contractors can update projects naturally while on-site
  • QuickBooks Online integration: real-time sync of invoices, payments, and budget utilization
  • Client portal: secure, read-only access for clients to track progress and approve change orders
  • Phase-based progress tracking: visual breakdown that clients actually understand
  • Change order management: streamlined approval workflow directly from client phones
QuickBooks integration overview
Budget tracking interface

Client Portal & Communication

Eliminated the constant inbox back-and-forth by giving clients a self-service portal. No logins required—just a secure link where they can see real-time progress, costs, and approve changes.

  • Zero-friction access: clients don't need to create accounts or remember passwords
  • Real-time transparency: reduces status update calls and emails
  • Mobile-optimized approvals: clients can review and approve change orders from anywhere
Client portal interface

Status & Learnings

Key Lessons:

  • Vertical-specific AI solutions outperform generic tools—contractors need construction-aware intelligence
  • Integration with existing tools (QuickBooks) is critical for adoption—don't ask users to switch systems
  • Voice interfaces are essential for on-site work where hands are full and screens are hard to read
  • Client portals reduce contractor workload more than internal project features—external communication is the bottleneck
Briske app interface

Tech Stack: Full-stack development with voice-first AI integration, QuickBooks Online API, real-time sync, client portal architecture

The Problem

People struggle to visualize their learning and development journeys, making it difficult to create actionable roadmaps toward their goals. Whether it's personal growth, skill development, or career progression, users lack tools to map interconnected pathways and receive guidance on their journey.

Jorno goals overview

The Solution

Created a visual journey mapping platform that transforms goals into connected roadmaps. Starting with personal learning journeys, the platform enables users to create customizable roadmaps with AI-powered suggestions, designed to scale for future coach/client and advisor/customer relationships.

  • Visual journey mapping: drag-and-drop roadmap creation with interconnected milestones
  • AI-powered suggestions: intelligent recommendations for pathway optimization
  • Customizable roadmaps: flexible templates for different journey types
  • Future-ready architecture: designed to support coaching and advisory relationships
Jorno flow canvas interface

Vision & Technical Foundation

Product Vision: Building toward a platform that enables structured guidance relationships—coaches helping clients navigate career transitions, advisors guiding customers through complex decisions, or mentors supporting learning journeys.

Key Strategic Insights:

  • Visual roadmaps enable better guidance conversations than traditional goal lists
  • AI suggestions can accelerate pathway creation while preserving human guidance
  • Starting with personal use builds the foundation for collaborative features
Jorno goal connections and details

Tech Stack: FastAPI, PostgreSQL, Svelte, SvelteFlow, WebSocket