Podcast
AI for Business Owners
Hosted by Jeff Torello · EN
AI for Business Owners, hosted by Jeff Torello, is your go-to podcast for making AI work for your business.
Join Jeff, a tech enthusiast with a knack for solving tough problems, as he breaks down how small and medium businesses can use AI to improve decisions and drive growth. With the Sinjun AI Platform, Jeff shows you how easy it is to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot to get valuable insights from your business data.
Each episode delivers practical advice in a simple, down-to-earth way, helping you understand how AI can be a pioneer for your business. Jeff will be joined by a variety of expert guests, from entrepreneurs to industry leaders, who will share their insights on how AI can drive growth, improve decision-making, and streamline operations.
If you are just getting started with your business or looking to level up your game, AI for Business Owners is here to help you work smarter, not harder.
Tune in and learn how AI can help your business grow and thrive!
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
AI Automations for Tradespeople to Explode Productivity using Zapier with Tersh Blissett
Apr 800:46:51Tap to summarizeIn this episode of AI for Business Owners, Jeff Torello sits down with Tersh Blissett, owner of multiple HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies and Co-Founder & Chief Experience Officer of Trade Automation Pros, Chief Executive Officer of Service Emperor, and Co-Host & Founder at Service Business Mastery. Tersh shares his journey from the Air Force and engineering school into the skilled trades, and how a simple Excel automation project sparked a long-term passion for optimizing business processes. The conversation is about how automation and AI are reshaping service businesses, especially in the trades. Tersh explains how contractors can streamline operations by integrating CRMs, automation tools, and AI-powered systems into everyday workflows. Jeff and Tersh also explore the hype surrounding AI, the difference between automation and true AI solutions, and why many business owners are suddenly eager to adopt these technologies. The episode highlights the importance of optimizing workflows before automating them and discusses the real-world challenges of implementing AI tools inside growing companies. Key Takeaways: Automation First, AI Second: Many business problems can be solved with simple automation before jumping into complex AI systems. Process Optimization Matters: Businesses should optimize processes before attempting to automate them. AI Adoption Is Driven by FOMO: Many companies are adopting AI quickly due to fear of falling behind. AI and Software Are Closely Linked: In many cases, AI is simply another evolution of traditional software solutions. The Future of AI in Business: AI will continue improving rapidly, making today the "worst" it will ever perform. Noteworthy Quotes: "I started automating things because I was tired of spending hours every day doing manual reports." – Tersh Blissett "AI isn't the solution to every problem—sometimes it's just software solving a business need." – Jeff Torello "Before you automate a process, make sure it's optimized first." – Tersh Blissett "People are adopting AI quickly because they're afraid of getting left behind." – Tersh Blissett "Today is the worst AI will ever perform—it's only going to get better from here." – Jeff Torello Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and sponsor message 01:36 - Tersh Blissett's background and business ventures in the trades 02:47 - From Air Force and engineering to HVAC and service businesses 07:38 - AI hype vs real business value 11:51 - SEO, AI search, and how businesses appear in generative results 14:04 - AI agents and the future of automated purchasing 20:42 - Local AI models vs cloud AI tools 34:06 - Managing data, storage, and digital assets 42:41 - When business owners should hire experts instead of doing it themselves 44:00 - The rapid acceleration of AI development FOLLOW OUR GUEST TERSH BLISSETT: Tersh Blissett LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tershblissett/ Trade Automation Pros LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tradeautomationpros/ Trade Automation Pros Website: https://tradeautomationpros.com/ Service Emperor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/icebound/ Service Emperor Website: https://serviceemperor.com/ Service Business Mastery LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/service-business-mastery/ Service Business Mastery Website: https://servicebusinessmastery.com/ FOLLOW OUR HOST JEFF TORELLO: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtorello/ Website: https://sinjun.ai/ FOLLOW SINJUN AI: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sinjunai/ Website: https://sinjun.ai/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/sinjunai Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sinjun.ai/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sinjun-AI/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SinjunAI FOLLOW AI FOR BUSINESS OWNERS PODCAST: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3yi0lfb6ZtSuqRvKh6a2e1?si=88f9e649d1f546c8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AIforBizOwners Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ai-for-business-owners/id1823255627
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AI and Real Estate: How Real Estate Pros Can Use AI Without Losing the Human Touch with Olgierd Minkiewicz
Mar 2500:47:44Tap to summarizeIn this episode of AI for Business Owners, Jeff Torello sits down with Olgierd Minkiewicz, President of Polymathy Inc., and Relationship Manager USA at CC Global Advisory, a seasoned real estate professional and global advisor based in New York City. Olgierd shares his insights into the fast-paced, competitive world of Manhattan real estate and explores how AI is beginning to play a role in enhancing real estate practices. From CRM systems to AI-driven avatars, the conversation dives into the ways AI is reshaping everything from client communication to property tours. While Olgierd embraces the use of AI to handle mundane tasks and improve productivity, he also emphasizes the irreplaceable value of personal relationships and human judgment in real estate transactions. The discussion touches on the balance between automation and authentic interaction in an industry that requires trust and personal rapport. Key Takeaways: AI as a Productivity Tool: AI enhances real estate workflows by automating tasks like scheduling and client reminders. Human Touch Matters: Building relationships and trust with clients remains crucial in real estate, despite AI's growing role. AI's Future Role: Agentic AI avatars may handle first-touch interactions, but human creativity and decision-making are still irreplaceable. Balancing Automation and Personalization: AI can handle repetitive tasks, but complex decisions require personal involvement. Privacy Concerns: With AI tools managing sensitive data, maintaining privacy and security is essential for real estate professionals and clients. Noteworthy Quotes: "In real estate, people buy a relationship, not just a property." – Olgierd Minkiewicz "AI automates tasks, but nothing beats the human touch when it comes to relationships." – Olgierd Minkiewicz "Real estate agents have been around for over 100 years for a reason—we're still needed." – Olgierd Minkiewicz "CRMs use AI to help me stay connected, but they can't replace real human relationships." – Olgierd Minkiewicz "AI avatars may be the future, but human interaction will always be at the heart of business." – Olgierd Minkiewicz Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and sponsor message 02:12 - Olgierd's background and journey into real estate 05:30 - The competitive nature of Manhattan real estate 10:20 - How AI enhances productivity in real estate (CRM, social media automation) 15:00 - The importance of maintaining a personal connection in a tech-driven world 20:35 - AI avatars and agentic AI in real estate: A glimpse into the future 27:40 - Privacy and security concerns with AI tools in real estate 34:50 - The balance between automation and human creativity in decision-making 42:10 - Olgierd's thoughts on the future of AI in real estate and beyond FOLLOW OUR GUEST OLGIERD MINKIEWICZ: Olgierd Minkiewicz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgierdminkiewicz/ CC Global Advisory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ccglobaladvisory/ CC Global Advisory Website: https://ccglobaladvisory.com/en/ Polymathy Inc. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/polymathyinc/ Polymathy Inc. Website: https://polymathyinc.com/ FOLLOW OUR HOST JEFF TORELLO: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtorello/ Website: https://sinjun.ai/ FOLLOW SINJUN AI: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sinjunai/ Website: https://sinjun.ai/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/sinjunai Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sinjun.ai/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sinjun-AI/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SinjunAI FOLLOW AI FOR BUSINESS OWNERS PODCAST: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3yi0lfb6ZtSuqRvKh6a2e1?si=88f9e649d1f546c8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AIforBizOwners Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ai-for-business-owners/id1823255627
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AI Will Save Real Estate from Outdated Permits and Broken Processes with Ari Rastegar
Mar 1100:37:12Tap to summarizeIn this episode of AI for Business Owners, Jeff Torello sits down with Ari Rastegar, Founder and CEO of Rastegar Capital, an attorney and real estate investor, to discuss the impact of AI on the real estate industry. Ari shares his journey from being an attorney to running a successful real estate investment company, managing billions of dollars across numerous projects. The conversation explores the challenges of the real estate industry, particularly its outdated processes, and how AI and technology are beginning to revolutionize everything from construction to land development. Together, they talk about the role AI can play in streamlining operations, improving productivity, and solving long-standing problems in real estate. Key Takeaways: AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement: AI enhances productivity by handling repetitive tasks, not replacing jobs. AI in Construction: 3D printing and robotics are reducing build times and costs in construction. Real Estate's Outdated Processes: Permitting and zoning inefficiencies can be addressed with AI and digital tools. Shortening Build Time: AI and robotics reduce construction timelines, leading to cost savings. AI for Land Scanning: AI aids in quickly identifying lucrative land development opportunities. Human-AI Synergy: AI complements human expertise, enhancing decision-making rather than replacing it. Noteworthy Quotes: "AI is a really fucking good assistant." – Ari Rastegar "The AI is a really good advisor, but it's not making executive decisions without oversight." – Ari Rastegar "You have to shorten the time frame to save on financing costs and interest. It's a profound savings that can then be passed along to the end user." – Ari Rastegar "AI is probability software. It predicts outcomes, it doesn't guarantee them." – Jeff Torello "I think we're right at the tipping point where we have software that can help with land site scanning, blueprint renderings, and 3D printing." – Ari Rastegar Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and sponsor message 01:52 - Ari's background and transition from attorney to real estate investor 06:08 - Innovations in construction, including 3D printing and robotics 13:40 - How AI is improving land site analysis and blueprint renderings 20:12 - The importance of human intelligence in AI decision-making 26:46 - The outdated permitting process and AI's potential to expedite it 28:58 - The future of AI in real estate and construction 35:30 - Final advice for business owners on adopting AI FOLLOW OUR GUEST ARI RASTEGAR: Ari Rastegar LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arirastegar/ Rastegar Capital LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rastegarcapital/ Rastegar Capital Website: https://www.rastegarcapital.com/ FOLLOW OUR HOST JEFF TORELLO: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtorello/ Website: https://sinjun.ai/ FOLLOW SINJUN AI: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sinjunai/ Website: https://sinjun.ai/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/sinjunai Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sinjun.ai/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sinjun-AI/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SinjunAI FOLLOW AI FOR BUSINESS OWNERS PODCAST: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3yi0lfb6ZtSuqRvKh6a2e1?si=88f9e649d1f546c8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AIforBizOwners Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ai-for-business-owners/id1823255627
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The Trades Business Owners Are Wasting Time on AI Without Strategy with Julian Scadden
Mar 400:37:19Tap to summarizeIn this episode of AI for Business Owners, Jeff Torello sits down with Julian Scadden, President & CEO of Nexstar Network, to connect two powerful themes: the resurgence of skilled trades and the rise of AI in business. Julian shares his journey from plumber to consultant for over 1,000 home service companies, while Jeff breaks down what AI actually is, and isn't. Together, they challenge the hype, discuss the risks of bolt-on AI solutions, and explain why strategy must come before tools. Whether you run a service business or are just curious about AI in action, learn how to use AI effectively while keeping strategy at the center of business decisions. Key Takeaways: Trades Are Resurging: Market forces and workforce shortages are bringing renewed value to skilled labor. Craftsmanship Builds Leaders: Discipline, repetition, and pride in work translate directly into better business decisions. AI is Probability Software: It predicts outcomes, it doesn't guarantee them. Strategy Before Technology: Identify pain points and goals before investing in AI tools. Avoid Version One Mistakes: Most AI products are still early-stage software; integration matters more than excitement. Noteworthy Quotes: "You don't get to respawn in business. Sometimes it's permadeath." – Julian Scadden "If a tool is truly revolutionary, all your competitors will buy it too." – Jeff Torello "AI lives between zero and one. It's probability, not certainty." – Jeff Torello "Most people research software 80% and integration 20%. That should be reversed." – Julian Scadden "You're going to pay either way, so get expert help." – Julian Scadden Key Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction and sponsor message [04:10] The resurgence of skilled trades and workforce shortages [06:22] Shop class, craftsmanship, and character development [13:01] Lottery mindset vs. earned success [16:25] AI: savior or villain? [20:54] The danger of bolt-on AI tools [30:32] The "version one" software problem [34:03] Integration, feedback loops, and long-term thinking [37:00] Final advice for business owners FOLLOW OUR GUEST JULIAN SCADDEN: Julian Scadden LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianscadden/ Nexstar Network LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nexstarnetwork/ Nexstar Network Website: https://www.nexstarnetwork.com/ FOLLOW OUR HOST JEFF TORELLO: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtorello/ Website: https://sinjun.ai/ FOLLOW SINJUN AI: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sinjunai/ Website: https://sinjun.ai/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/sinjunai Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sinjun.ai/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sinjun-AI/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SinjunAI FOLLOW AI FOR BUSINESS OWNERS PODCAST ON: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3yi0lfb6ZtSuqRvKh6a2e1?si=88f9e649d1f546c8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AIforBizOwners Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ai-for-business-owners/id1823255627
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How Lawyers Can Use AI Without Losing Trust or Breaking Ethics with Christy Zlatkus
Feb 1800:48:05Tap to summarizeIn this episode of AI for Business Owners, host Jeff Torello sits down with Christy Zlatkus, CEO and founding attorney of Z Family Law, LLC, to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and the legal field. Christy shares her journey of cautiously integrating AI into her law practice, where efficiency meets ethical concerns, and authenticity remains central to client relationships. Christy discusses how AI tools like ChatGPT have enhanced her personal branding, helped streamline administrative tasks, and aided in legal research. She also highlights the importance of maintaining attorney-client confidentiality and the challenges of introducing AI without compromising the human touch. This episode is a must-listen for law professionals, business owners, and anyone interested in how AI can empower industries while maintaining integrity and authenticity. Key Takeaways: The AI Journey in Law: How Christy started integrating AI cautiously into her practice and the lessons learned along the way. AI as a Productivity Tool: Using AI to brainstorm ideas, improve personal branding, and streamline administrative processes. Confidentiality and Ethics in Legal AI: The importance of client confidentiality and the safeguards necessary to ensure compliance. Authenticity vs. Efficiency: How businesses can balance the efficiency of AI with the authenticity that clients value. The Role of AI in Client Experience: Exploring how AI can improve client response times without losing the personal touch. Noteworthy Quotes: "AI can be a powerful force multiplier, but you can't check your brain at the door." – Christy Zlatkus "AI shouldn't replace humans in law; it should amplify their work, just like a paralegal would." – Jeff Torello "The key is to use AI as a sounding board, not a crutch." – Christy Zlatkus "Authenticity is about ensuring that the tools we use align with who we are and the values we uphold in our practice." – Christy Zlatkus "If you let AI do everything without oversight, you're heading for trouble. But if you use it wisely, it can save time and money." – Jeff Torello Key Timestamps: [00:00] – Introduction and welcome to Christy Zlatkus [02:16] – Christy's journey with AI in the legal field [03:43] – How AI helps with personal branding and brainstorming ideas [05:11] – The risks of relying on AI without critical thinking [08:41] – Using AI for legal research: benefits and challenges [12:29] – The importance of confidentiality and ethics in AI for law [15:11] – Balancing efficiency with the authenticity of client relationships [17:10] – The future of AI in law: improving client experience without losing the personal touch [25:44] – Authenticity in personal branding: how to use AI without losing your voice [42:25] – Final thoughts: leveraging AI to enhance client service without compromising integrity FOLLOW OUR GUEST CHRISTY ZLATKUS: Christy Zlatkus LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christy-zlatkus/ Z Family Law, LLC LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/z-family-law-llc/ Z Family Law, LLC Website: https://www.zfamilylaw.com/ FOLLOW OUR HOST JEFF TORELLO ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtorello/ Website: https://sinjun.ai/ FOLLOW SINJUN AI ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sinjunai/ Website: https://sinjun.ai/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/sinjunai Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sinjun.ai/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sinjun-AI/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SinjunAI FOLLOW AI FOR BUSINESS OWNERS PODCAST ON: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3yi0lfb6ZtSuqRvKh6a2e1?si=88f9e649d1f546c8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AIforBizOwners Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ai-for-business-owners/id1823255627
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AI Courts Will Replace Lawyers and Judges in Business Lawsuits with Brian H. Potts and Kenny McLaren
Feb 400:51:17Tap to summarizeIn this episode of AI for Business Owners, host Jeff Torello sits down with Brian H. Potts, veteran litigator and startup founder, and Kenny McLaren, CTO and systems designer, to explore how they've created a revolutionary AI product: Arbitrus, a private court system overseen by an AI judge. Designed to resolve civil disputes faster and more affordably than traditional courts or arbitration, Arbitrus challenges centuries of legal precedent by using specialized AI to render legally binding decisions. Brian and Kenny share the journey from a casual coffee meeting to a functional legal tech product that's already handling real-world cases. They discuss the tech stack, the philosophy behind AI in law, the hallucination problem, and why human lawyers and judges might soon have serious competition from software. This episode is essential listening for business owners, legal professionals, and anyone curious about how AI can disrupt deeply entrenched systems. Key Takeaways: From Courtrooms to Code: Why the traditional legal system doesn't work for most business disputes, and how arbitrage changes that. Building the AI Judge: The technical and legal challenges of building a decision-making system that's accurate, enforceable, and scalable. Hallucination-Free AI: How Kenny's engineering team tackled the accuracy problem that plagues most AI systems today. Contractual Simplicity, Legal Power: How adding a simple clause in your contracts lets you access AI-based arbitration that's binding under U.S. law. Why Government Wants In: Unexpected traction with state courts and healthcare systems shows just how broken current systems are, and how AI could help. Noteworthy Quotes: "You let AI decide if you live or die at 75 mph in a Tesla, but you're not ready to let it decide your contract dispute?" – Brian Potts "We don't let people just ask Arbitrus anything. That's how you get hallucinations. We designed it to only do one thing—and do it correctly." – Kenny McLaren "Law is language—and language is exactly what these models are built to interpret better than most humans." – Jeff Torello "You can't sell AI tools to law firms. They have no incentive to be more efficient. But you can sell a better system to the people who need justice." – Brian Potts "The best way to eliminate hallucinations? Don't let the LLM make decisions. Use it only where it's useful, and verify everything." – Kenny McLaren Key Timestamps: [00:00] – Introduction and welcome to Brian Potts & Kenny McLaren [02:12] – Brian introduces Arbitrus: AI as a private court [04:35] – Kenny's engineering background and how a coffee meeting launched a company [06:46] – What Arbitrus does: real civil disputes, real outcomes, all AI [09:36] – Where AI delivers in legal tech—and where it's still hype [18:45] – How to use Arbitrus: add a clause, resolve disputes in 30 days [27:09] – Why government and healthcare systems are now interested [35:51] – Hallucination solved: Why Arbitrus never makes up fake case law [49:50] – Final thoughts, contact details, and how to try Arbitrus FOLLOW OUR GUESTS: Brian H. Potts LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-h-potts-26914923/ Kenny McLaren LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-mclaren/ Arbitrus Website: https://www.arbitrus.ai/ FOLLOW OUR HOST JEFF TORELLO ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtorello/ Website: https://sinjun.ai/ FOLLOW SINJUN AI ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sinjunai/ Website: https://sinjun.ai/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/sinjunai Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sinjun.ai/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sinjun-AI/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SinjunAI FOLLOW AI FOR BUSINESS OWNERS PODCAST ON: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3yi0lfb6ZtSuqRvKh6a2e1?si=88f9e649d1f546c8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AIforBizOwners Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ai-for-business-owners/id1823255627
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How Shopify Brands Can Scale Without a Team Using AI Tools Like ChatGPT with Matthew Tesvich
Jan 2801:09:19Tap to summarizeIn this episode of AI for Business Owners, host Jeff Torello talks with Matthew Tesvich, the 24-year-old founder and CEO of Skunk Skin, makers of odorless socks that went viral in the fitness world. What began as a personal hygiene problem sparked by smelly feet after gym sessions turned into a direct-to-consumer business built on innovation, antibacterial textiles, and savvy marketing. Matthew shares how he transitioned from college athlete to e-commerce entrepreneur after a career-ending injury, and how a chance encounter with an antibacterial towel inspired the creation of Skunk Skin. He also explains how AI helps him run and grow his business, from summarizing emails to generating copy and building automated workflows with emerging agentic platforms. This episode is full of actionable insights for e-commerce founders, tech-curious business owners, and anyone wanting to turn a quirky idea into a scalable brand using the latest AI tools. Key Takeaways: From the Baseball Field to Business: How a serious injury redirected Matthew's path from athlete to entrepreneur, and led to solving a personal pain point. Prototyping with Purpose: The research and trial behind creating long-lasting, odorless socks using antibacterial thread. Best $20 Employee: How Matthew uses AI tools like GPT, Claude, and Gemini for tasks like email summarization, copywriting, and legal review. Agentic AI & MCP: Jeff explains the future of Model Context Protocol (MCP) and agentic platforms, how they can automate entire business workflows. Top AI Tools for E-Commerce Founders: Matthew shares his favorite tools, including Klaviyo, Delphi, and Aila, and explains how they aid in segmentation, customer retention, and conversions. Noteworthy Quotes: "I joke that AI is the best $20-a-month employee you can hire." – Matthew Tesvich "Most people don't realize: large language models have no memory. It's the tools that create the illusion." – Jeff Torello "I didn't create Skunk Skin to start a business. I created it to solve my own problem." – Matthew Tesvich "If you want your own Jarvis, you'll have to give it access to everything eventually." – Jeff Torello "The real winners in AI will be those who can automate workflows—securely and intelligently." – Jeff Torello Key Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Introduction and welcome to Matthew Tesvich [00:01:26] - What is Skunk Skin? The story behind odorless socks [00:03:11] - From sports injury to antibacterial innovation [00:11:05] - When AI entered the picture: post-college discovery [00:14:32] - Agentic AI and the future of automated business systems [00:31:21] - Agentic commerce: AI as your digital butler [00:44:16] - Matthew's favorite e-commerce AI tools: Delphi, Klaviyo, Aila [00:49:01] - The rise of AI-generated content (Google VEO, 11Labs) [00:55:33] - AI and music: tools, risks, and ethical creativity [01:01:10] - When will we reach AGI? Jeff's timeline and take [01:06:22] - Final reflections on curiosity, learning, and AI adoption FOLLOW OUR GUEST, MATTHEW TESVICH: Matthew Tesvich LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewtesvich/ SKUNK SKIN LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oxsox/ SKUNK SKIN Website: https://skunkskin.com/ FOLLOW OUR HOST JEFF TORELLO ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtorello/ Website: https://sinjun.ai/ FOLLOW SINJUN AI ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sinjunai/ Website: https://sinjun.ai/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/sinjunai Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sinjun.ai/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sinjun-AI/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SinjunAI FOLLOW AI FOR BUSINESS OWNERS PODCAST ON: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3yi0lfb6ZtSuqRvKh6a2e1?si=88f9e649d1f546c8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AIforBizOwners Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ai-for-business-owners/id1823255627
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From Harvard Law to Selling Two Startups and Launching a VC Fund with Khadijah Robinson
Jan 2100:45:23Tap to summarizeIn this episode of AI for Business Owners, host Jeff Torello sits down with Khadijah Robinson, Co-founder and president of board at The PIT Atlanta and General Partner at Fictive Ventures, and former attorney. Khadijah discusses her remarkable journey from Harvard Law to founding and selling multiple startups, including a platform for black-owned e-commerce brands and a socially interactive marketplace. She also shares her experiences in angel investing and founding her own venture capital fund. Throughout the conversation, Khadijah offers valuable insights into the dynamic world of startups and the role AI can play in improving business operations. They explore how AI tools like Sintra AI and Talknotes have streamlined personal productivity and team workflows. Khadijah also emphasizes the importance of avoiding over-optimization in early-stage startups and how AI can help manage growing business complexities. This episode is packed with wisdom for business owners and entrepreneurs looking to understand how AI can enhance productivity and optimize operations, particularly in the fast-paced world of startups. Key Takeaways: From Lawyer to Entrepreneur: Khadijah's journey from law school at Harvard to entrepreneurship, and why she ultimately pivoted from law to building startups. AI in Startups: How AI tools can boost productivity and support the operational needs of early-stage companies. Avoiding Over-Optimization: The risks of trying to over-optimize early in a startup and why flexibility is key in the first stages of business. AI Tools for Personal Productivity: An in-depth look at tools like Sintra AI and Talknotes that are helping Khadijah and her team stay efficient. The Role of AI in Scaling Operations: How startups can integrate AI to improve workflow management and increase efficiency. Noteworthy Quotes: "I very strongly believe in quitting. Just because you've invested time into something doesn't mean you should continue doing it if it's not bringing value to your life." – Khadijah Robinson "Good enough is perfection. Don't over-engineer. Solve the problem as best you can, and move forward." – Jeff Torello "AI can be the process guide for startups, helping them create repeatable processes and not get caught in the trap of over-optimizing too early." – Jeff Torello "The first step is to get things done well enough, then iterate. Startups are about pivoting and adapting." – Khadijah Robinson Key Timestamps: [00:00] - Why most AI tools don't deliver ROI unless they're deeply integrated [01:23] - Khadijah's journey: Harvard Law to tech entrepreneurship and VC [04:13] - Walking away from law and the value of quitting with intention [11:03] - Getting stuck in Nigeria during COVID, and how it helped her startup [17:00] - Tools that work: Sintra AI and TalkNotes in startup operations [24:27] - What kind of AI actually improves business outcomes [30:34] - When not to automate: Startup pivots vs. AI rigidity [37:50] - AI's future: The tools are getting better, but still need guidance [42:19] - AI, privacy, and healthy skepticism toward surveillance tech [44:39] - Final thoughts: Use AI intentionally, not reactively FOLLOW OUR GUEST KHADIJAH ROBINSON: Khadijah Robinson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khadijahrobinson/ Fictive Ventures LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fictiveventures/ Fictive Ventures Website: https://www.fictiveventures.com/ The PIT Atlanta LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-pit-atlanta/ The PIT Atlanta Website: https://www.thepitatlanta.com/ FOLLOW OUR HOST JEFF TORELLO ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtorello/ Website: https://sinjun.ai/ FOLLOW SINJUN AI ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sinjunai/ Website: https://sinjun.ai/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/sinjunai Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sinjun.ai/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sinjun-AI/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SinjunAI FOLLOW AI FOR BUSINESS OWNERS PODCAST ON: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3yi0lfb6ZtSuqRvKh6a2e1?si=88f9e649d1f546c8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AIforBizOwners Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ai-for-business-owners/id1823255627
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AI Governance for Tech Leaders to Build Secure Systems using Proven Frameworks with Peter Holcomb
Jan 1400:43:28Tap to summarizeIn this episode of AI for Business Owners, host Jeff Torello sits down with cybersecurity veteran Peter Holcomb, founder and CEO of Optimo IT. With decades of experience across IT, sales, engineering, and CISO leadership, Peter brings a rare blend of business and deep tech knowledge to the conversation. Together, they explore the evolving challenges of securing AI systems, the importance of AI governance, and how to build trust into AI-powered architectures from the ground up. Jeff and Peter break down the real-world security risks posed by autonomous agents, multi-agent systems, and large language models (LLMs). They also share practical advice for business owners on designing secure AI applications, implementing access controls like OAuth and RBAC, and how to use observability tools to improve AI performance and mitigate risk. This episode is packed with valuable insights for SMBs looking to build or adopt AI technology in a secure, scalable, and forward-thinking way. Key Takeaways Why Governance Comes First: AI projects must begin with governance and compliance frameworks, not just security tools. Risks of Agentic AI and Tools: The rise of agent-based systems and skills introduces new threat vectors like injection and impersonation attacks. Prompt Injection Explained: Learn the difference between direct and indirect prompt injection, and how real-world attacks can trick AIs. OAuth + RBAC for AI Tools: How identity and role-based controls help prevent AI systems from accessing the wrong data. AI Observability as a Must-Have: Why logs, metrics, and traceability are essential to managing and improving AI applications. Noteworthy Quotes "We need to shift left, bake security into AI from the very beginning, not bolt it on later." – Peter Holcomb "Observability is the foundation of AI governance. You can't secure what you can't measure." – Peter Holcomb "Prompt injection is just a new version of old school exploits, same risks, new names." – Jeff Torello "LLMs are always trying to say yes. Security problems arise when they don't know when to say no." – Jeff Torello Key Timestamps [00:00] - Introduction to the AI for Business Owners podcast & guest Peter Holcomb [02:35] - Peter's 20-year journey from sales to becoming a CISO and entrepreneur [09:01] - Starting with governance: The foundation of secure AI systems [15:35] - Tool calls, MCP servers, and how identity complicates agentic AI [20:26] - Claude's "skills" and why arbitrary code execution is a security nightmare [26:22] - Prompt injection explained: examples and real-world attack vectors [31:36] - AI observability: Using logs and metrics to monitor and secure LLMs [33:13] - Peter's wish: AI-powered sales with human psychology and real interaction [40:58] - Final thoughts, LLM-SEO, the future of advertising, and AI agents as the new gatekeepers FOLLOW OUR GUEST PETER HOLCOMB Peter's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pholcomb8/ Optimo IT LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimo-it/ Optimo IT Website: https://www.optimoit.io/ FOLLOW OUR HOST JEFF TORELLO ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtorello/ Website: https://sinjun.ai/ FOLLOW SINJUN AI ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sinjunai/ Website: https://sinjun.ai/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/sinjunai Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sinjun.ai/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sinjun-AI/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SinjunAI FOLLOW AI FOR BUSINESS OWNERS PODCAST ON: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3yi0lfb6ZtSuqRvKh6a2e1?si=88f9e649d1f546c8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AIforBizOwners Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ai-for-business-owners/id1823255627
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SAP AI Myths for SMB Owners to Unlock Real Results Using Smart Strategy with Christopher Carter
Jan 700:37:32Tap to summarizeIn this episode, host Jeff Torello sits down with Christopher Carter, a multi-time founder and bestselling author, and the founder of Approyo, Inc., and an AI strategist who works closely with SAP systems to explore how small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can leverage AI to grow faster, stronger, and cheaper. With a wealth of experience in the tech industry, including his work with SAP software and homomorphic encryption, Christopher shares his expertise on using AI to enhance business operations. The conversation touches on critical elements like AI strategy, data security, and the importance of clean data to maximize the value of AI technologies. You'll hear about Christopher's journey of integrating AI across his companies, how he uses homomorphic encryption to secure sensitive business data, and why SMBs are well-positioned to benefit from AI solutions. This episode is packed with actionable insights on how businesses can utilize AI tools to stay competitive in an ever-evolving digital landscape. Key Takeaways AI's Role in SMBs vs. Enterprises: SAP's dual focus on enterprise and SMB solutions, and why SMBs are increasingly adopting AI-driven SAP tools. Homomorphic Encryption for Data Security: How this encryption technology ensures data remains secure and usable for AI operations. AI Strategy: The importance of having a clear AI strategy to effectively implement AI tools and avoid pitfalls like misusing productivity tools. The Value of Clean Data: Why accurate, up-to-date data is crucial for AI success and how bad data can lead to disastrous outcomes. AI as a Continuous Evolution: The need for businesses to constantly reevaluate their AI tools and models to stay ahead of the curve. Noteworthy Quotes "AI works best when humans are still at the helm, steering strategy and bringing context." – Christopher Carter "Just because you have 27 years of data, doesn't mean it's good data." – Christopher Carter "You have to be bigger, better, stronger, and faster with AI. It's not just a tool, it's a game-changer for businesses." – Christopher Carter "Without a strategy, AI will fail. You can't just deploy tools without thinking about how they fit into your business." – Jeff Torello Key Timestamps [00:00] - MIT report on AI projects not realizing business value [00:16] - Introduction to Christopher Carter, AI leader and author [02:00] - SAP as a tool for both enterprise and SMB clients [04:25] - Homomorphic encryption and its role in securing AI data [06:53] - Christopher's approach to integrating AI into his businesses [09:50] - Discussion on clean and up-to-date data for AI projects [12:00] - Importance of a strategic roadmap before deploying AI tools [16:30] - Challenges of automating AI models and managing evolving technology [20:30] - Dangers of using outdated and uncleaned data in AI projects [24:05] - The continuous evolution of AI and the need for businesses to stay agile [29:37] - Final thoughts on AI strategy and business success FOLLOW OUR GUEST CHRISTOPHER CARTER Christopher Carter's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-carter-885159/ Approyo, Inc. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/approyo-inc/ Approyo, Inc. Website: https://approyo.com/ FOLLOW OUR HOST JEFF TORELLO ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtorello/ Website: https://sinjun.ai/ FOLLOW SINJUN AI ON: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sinjunai/ Website: https://sinjun.ai/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/sinjunai Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sinjun.ai/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sinjun-AI/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SinjunAI FOLLOW AI FOR BUSINESS OWNERS PODCAST ON: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3yi0lfb6ZtSuqRvKh6a2e1?si=88f9e649d1f546c8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AIforBizOwners Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ai-for-business-owners/id1823255627
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