Can AI Really Help Raise Kids? – The Story of a Solo Female Founder

In this episode, Amanda shares how her postpartum struggles and tech background led her to build Riley—a tool designed to reduce the mental load of parenting through personalized, science-backed guidance. The conversation covers product vision, AI trust, marketing strategy, and Amanda’s journey as a solo female founder.

About Amanda DeLuca:

Amanda DeLuca is a seasoned product leader with over 7 years of experience driving growth, engagement, and AI innovation. Currently the founder and CEO of Riley, an AI-powered parenting assistant, she previously led product teams at Etsy, NerdWallet, and Eventbrite. Amanda is passionate about building user-centric products that create real impact and delight. Her global perspective—shaped by living and working in the U.S., England, and France—is complemented by her academic background in French from Amherst College and NYU Paris.

Here is what we cover:

● Founding Story: Inspired by Amanda’s own postpartum experience and frustration with unreliable parenting advice.
● Product Vision: Riley delivers real-time, personalized support that’s evidence-based and context-aware.
● AI Approach: Uses LLMs + human oversight (e.g., pediatricians) to ensure safe, trusted advice.
● Marketing Strategy: SEO-first with strong performance from Meta, Google, and email; Reddit shows promise in niche parenting communities.
● Privacy & Trust: Strong stance on user data privacy; Riley doesn’t train models on user data.
● Design & UX: Exceptional design is a key differentiator—Amanda’s first hire was a top designer.
● Founder Perspective: As a solo female founder, Amanda draws on her lived experience to build with deep empathy and product-market fit.