The AI era isn’t coming. It’s here—and it’s already rewriting the rules of business. So, the question isn’t if you should adopt AI—it’s how fast your competitors already have.

In this episode, Kim and Hal cut through the noise to reveal what’s actually happening behind the scenes for small business owners in today’s AI-driven marketplace.

✅ Feeling overwhelmed by AI hype?✅ Wondering how to stay competitive without losing your soul?✅ Curious how real small businesses are using AI right now to gain an edge?

This episode is for you.

In This Episode:

• Why “AI won’t take your job, but someone using it will” isn’t just a clever line—it’s a hard truth
• A hilarious (and disturbingly accurate) cameo from our Sassy AI co-host 👀
• What Gary Vee says about search, disruption, and the real edge: human spirit
• How vibe coding is unlocking custom tool creation—no dev team required
• 300 million jobs disrupted? What that really means for solopreneurs and founders
• The 3 future-proof skills every entrepreneur must develop in 2025
• Introducing the Small Business Transformation Model (SBTM)
• How to stop chasing shiny tools and start using AI strategically
• PLUS: 3 rapid-fire power moves to test AI in your business this week

Featured Framework: SBTM

The Small Business Transformation Model isn’t just another acronym—it’s your new AI-powered playbook. From mindset shifts to automation audits, this 5-step model helps small business owners build systems that scale.

✳️ Want a guided walkthrough? Email Howard & Howard Holdings, Inc.

Mentioned:

• Gary Vaynerchuk on AI search and intuition
• Marc Andreessen’s “Vibe Coding” and the end of technical gatekeeping
• Goldman Sachs report on job displacement & AI
• Prompt engineering & the rise of AI communication roles
• Current trends: layoffs, college enrollment drop, skilled trades boom

🎓 NEW: Learn to Talk to AI Like a Pro

Want to master prompt engineering without needing acomputer science degree? Enroll in Kim’s signature course: "From Overwhelmed to Empowered" Learn the IMPACT Framework and how to use AI to reclaim your time, sharpen your strategy, and grow your business. 👉 Request to Join our Private Community

Love the Show? Here’s How to Support:Have a question or an AI success story? DM us on LinkedIn or Facebook!

Share this episode with a fellow entrepreneur; Tag us @SmallBusinessBigAI on LinkedIn; DM Kim your #1 AI challenge and she just might feature your question in an upcoming episode

Episode Quote to Share:

“AI won’t replace you. But someone using AI—strategically, intentionally, creatively—absolutely will.”

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Music Credit: “I Am with You” by Dream Cave; EpidemicSound via iStock.com

Sound Effects: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/

Are you future-proofing your business—or just hopingfor the best?

In the final chapter of our 3-part Human-AI Harmony Revenue Playbook, Kim and Hal expose the hard truth most entrepreneurs are avoiding: AI isn’t coming—it’s already here. And it’s about to decide who grows... and who gets left behind.

In this episode, we go beyond AI tools and into strategy—showing you how to build an “always-on” innovation engine that keeps your business ahead of market shifts, customer trends, and the competition. You’ll learn why small businesses that wait for the “perfect moment” are quietly becoming obsolete—and how to become the technology-enabled superpower your industry didn’t see coming.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• What it really takes to future-proof your business in the AI era

• The 3-phase AI Innovation Loop: Insights → Experimentation → Optimization

• How to identify and eliminate “innovation bottlenecks” in your business

• Real-world trends showing how AI is reshaping small business across industries

• Why inertia—not competition—is your biggest threat right now

• How to leverage AI for franchise growth, solopreneur agility, or service-based scaling

• A mic-drop reality check from our AI Assistant: “Stop asking if AI is for you. Start asking how you’ll use it to win.”

Perfect for:
Small business owners, solopreneurs, franchise founders, consultants, and creators who want to:
✅ Stay relevant in an AI-driven economy
✅ Turn overwhelm into strategy
✅ Build a resilient business that adapts and scales with confidence

Listen if you’re wondering:

• “Is my business falling behind with AI?”

• “Where do I even start if I’m not a tech person?”

• “What are others in my industry already doing with AI tools?”

• “How can I get an edge without hiring a whole data team?”

Action Step from Kim & Hal:This week, identify one recurring bottleneck in your business—and spend 30 minutes exploring how AI could automate or simplify it. Small moves. Big momentum.

Ready to Take Action?

• Join the AI Insiders Community for Exclusive Tips & Resources → Request to Join our Private Community

• Have a question or an AI success story? DM us onLinkedIn or Facebook!

• Ask us about the Small Business Transformation Model (SBTM)—a simple, step-by-step framework designed for business owners → Email Howard & Howard Holdings, Inc.

🎵 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms.

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Music Credit: “I Am with You” by Dream Cave; EpidemicSound via iStock.com

Sound Effects: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/

Are you spending all your energy chasing new customerswhile quietly losing the ones who already said yes? This week on Small Business Big AI, we’re exposing the hidden profit lever too many entrepreneurs ignore: retention.

Spoiler: It’s not about sending another “we miss you” email. It’s about building unforgettable customer experiences—and AI is the secret weapon.

Whether you’re a solopreneur trying to keep up or a growing team juggling a million tasks, this episode gives you the exact playbook to:

✅ Predict customer churn before it happens

✅ Deliver “Surprise & Delight” moments that feel personal, not automated

✅ Use Segment-of-One marketing to make every customer feel like your VIP

✅ Create a retention flywheel that compounds loyalty into long-term revenue

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How AI can trigger perfectly-timed outreach that builds trust—not just clicks
• The spicy truth from our AI Assistant on why you’re “leaking value”
• Simple steps even a one-person business can take to start using AI right now

Who should listen:

• Small business owners and founders feeling stretched thin
• Entrepreneurs ready to scale without losing their soul
• Coaches, consultants, retailers, and service providers looking to create real customer loyalty
• Anyone tired of the “growth at all costs” mindset

Key takeaway:

“Retention isn’t sexy—but it’ll make you rich. And AI isn’t replacing your human touch—it’s amplifying it.”

Challenge of the Week:

Review your last 10 customer interactions. What’s one moment you could’ve handled better with AI in your corner? Then choose one tool—CRM, automation, or even a smart prompt—and start building that unforgettable experience.

Resources and Mentions in This Episode:

• AI-powered CRMs (like HubSpot)
• Custom prompts in ChatGPT to personalize outreach

• CRM automation features for “Surprise & Delight” campaigns

• “AI Just Beat Google at Its Own Game: The State Of AI& Tech In 2025” | GaryVee South Park Commons Q&A; https://youtu.be/pKuOAv1UiPA?si=FZlAeovXwxOlDfmX

• Segment-of-One email triggers based on behavior; “Segment-of-One Marketing” | Boston Consulting Group; https://web-assets.bcg.com/img-src/Segment_of_One_Marketing_Jan1989_tcm9-139613.pdf

Ready to Take Action?

• Join the AI Insiders Community for Exclusive Tips & Resources → Request to Join our Private Community

• Have a question or an AI success story? DM us on LinkedIn or Facebook!

• Ask us about the Small Business Transformation Model (SBTM)—a simple, step-by-step framework designed for business owners → Email Howard & Howard Holdings, Inc.

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Music Credit: “I Am with You” by Dream Cave; EpidemicSound via iStock.com

Sound Effects: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/

What if you could walk into a sales conversation already knowing your customer’s fears, desires, and unspoken objections?

In today’s fast-paced, AI-driven world, most small business owners are still guessing. But the ones who are winning? They're selling with insight—not instinct.

In Part 1 of our 3-part “Human-AI Harmony” series, Kim and Hal pull back the curtain on how AI can supercharge your human connection—without sacrificing authenticity. This isn’t automation for automation’s sake. This is about building trust, driving revenue, and transforming your business into what we call a technology-enabled superpower.

Whether you're a solo entrepreneur, franchise operator, or seasoned business owner, this episode will change the way you think about sales, psychology, and the future of customer connection.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How to decode human sales psychology with AI-powered insight
• The 3-phase AI-Driven Empathy Map that transforms guesswork into guided connection
• Why using AI isn’t “cheating”—it’s competitive leverage
• How to personalize sales at scale without sounding robotic
• The #1 mindset shift that separates struggling sellers from top closers

Memorable Moments & Quotes:

“You’re not being replaced by AI. You’re being outperformed by the business owner who’s using it better.” – Hal

“This isn’t just an upgrade. It’s a total system reboot.” – Kim

“AI handles the data. You bring the empathy. That’s the future of sales.” – AI Assistant (via ChatGPT 😏)

Ready to Take Action?

• Join the AI Insiders Community for Exclusive Tips & Resources → Request to Join our Private Community
• Have a question or an AI success story? DM us on LinkedIn or Facebook!
• Ask us about the Small Business Transformation Model (SBTM)—a simple, step-by-step framework designed for business owners → Email Howard & Howard Holdings, Inc.

Subscribe & Share:

If this episode made you rethink your sales strategy (or sparked a few “aha!” moments), don’t keep it to yourself. 👉Subscribe, share with a fellow entrepreneur, and leave a review—it helps more small business owners discover the AI edge they didn’t know they needed.

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Tune in next week as we discuss "The 'Unforgettable' Customer Journey: Building Loyalty & LTV with AI's Human Touch"

We’ll focus on actionable business models & customer retention.

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Music Credit: “I Am with You” by Dream Cave; EpidemicSound via iStock.com

Sound Effects: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/

Is your business growing… but your customer loyalty shrinking? Are you worried AI will make your brand feel robotic, transactional, or cold? In this episode of Small Business Big AI, Kim and Hal reveal how to turn artificial intelligence into your secret weapon for human connection at scale.

Discover how small businesses are using AI tools like Google Alerts—not for automation alone, but to listen better, remember smarter, and create moments that make customers feel deeply seen. Inspired by the legacy of Cheers, this episode offers a refreshing take on scaling without losing your soul.

Whether you’re a founder, solopreneur, or scaling teamleader, this conversation will show you how to transform tech overwhelm into connection superpowers.

What You’ll Learn:

• What the “AI Cheers Effect” is—and how it changes the loyalty game
• How to use AI to proactively sense disconnection before it costs you
• The “listening system” you can build in under 20 minutes
• How small AI tweaks (like Google Alerts + smartfilters) drive big relationship ROI
• Why scaling intimacy is your unfair advantage in the age of automation
• What Moonshots and All-In Podcast say about AI’s future—and what it means for YOU

Episode Highlights:

“AI doesn’t replace relationships—it reveals the onesyou’re about to lose.”

“You don’t need more tools. You need more touch.”

“The most powerful AI tool in your business… is still you.”

Perfect For:

• Small business owners scaling customer relationships
• Entrepreneurs overwhelmed by AI hype but hungryfor real strategies
• Service-based businesses looking to personalize at scale
• Brand builders, marketers, and founders aiming to grow without losing trust

Resources Mentioned:

Google Alerts Set-up Tips → https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/4815696?hl=en

Exponential Mindset by Peter Diamandis; https://youtu.be/zpw64xIlgJ0?list=TLGGjZSH0_qosLMwMTA2MjAyNQ

All-In Podcast – AI Doom vs Boom episode; https://youtu.be/O_AfZ6J0ToE?list=TLGGB_JgYcJODAgwMTA2MjAyNQ

Join Our Insider List for AI tools, prompt packs & behind-the-scenes → Request to Join our Private Community

Subscribe + Review

If this episode helped shift your mindset or sparked newideas, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it withanother entrepreneur who’s navigating AI. Every listen helps us reach more small businesses ready to become technology-enabled superpowers.

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Music Credit: “I Am with You” by Dream Cave; EpidemicSound via iStock.com

Sound Effects: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/

Jazz Music (Whiskey Bar Restaurant Casino BackgroundIntro Theme) Music by MaksymMalko from Pixabay

Chicago Shuffle Blues Music by JuliusH. from Pixabay

Tired of working late nights and still feeling behind?What if your most reliable employee didn’t sleep, didn’t complain, and didn’t need payroll?
In this episode of Small Business Big AI, Kim and Hal reveal how 117,000 solo entrepreneurs hit $1M+ in revenue last year—without hiring full-time staff. Their secret? A team of AI employees that clock in when they clock out.

Whether you’re a solopreneur, consultant, service-basedbusiness owner, or launching a new venture (like a hypothetical insurance agency in Florida 😏), this episode hands you the tactical AI playbook for working less and earning more—without getting buried in tech overwhelm.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

✅The truth about the "Second Shift"—and how it's quietly sabotaging your business growth
✅Why most social posts flop (and the AI-powered tactic that triples engagement)
✅How to stop being invisible online with a 15-minute hyper-local content hack
✅The secret to writing outreach messages that actually get replies—without sounding spammy
✅How to hire your first 5 AI employees using no-code tools, feedback loops, and smart delegation
✅Real stats, real examples, and a blueprint for building a $1M solo enterprise

Tools + Prompts Mentioned:

🧪 Quick-Win ROI Lab #1:

“What five questions do people in [your city] ask when hiring a [your service]?”
Follow-up: “Write a 150-word answer to question #1, optimized for local search.”

🧪 Quick-Win ROI Lab #2:

“Summarize this week’s Reddit and LinkedIn posts about[pain point].”
Follow-up: “Give me one myth-buster, one 60-sec tip, and one question post idea.”

🧪 Quick-Win ROI Lab #3:

“Based on this LinkedIn About section and recent post, what 3 talking points could start a personal outreach message?”

Perfect For:

• Small business owners overwhelmed by AI and digital noise
• Solopreneurs who want to scale without hiring
• Creators, coaches, and consultants seeking smarter client acquisition
• Entrepreneurs building asynchronous, freedom-first businesses
• Founders exploring tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Zapier, and Make

Resources & Links:

• OpenAI + Jony Ive Acquisition Explained (video)

• Microsoft Build 2025 Keynote (video)

• Google I/O Conference Announcements

• IMPACT Framework Course – Get AI fluent, fast

• Join the Small Business Big AI Community on LinkedIn

🎧 Hit Play If You’re Asking:

• “How do I use AI to save time, not waste it?”

• “What’s the fastest way to improve visibility and engagement?”

• “Can I really run a lean, scalable business with no full-time staff?”

• “How do I hire AI employees without writing a line of code?”

Follow + Subscribe

Love what you heard? Don’t miss an episode. 👉Tap Follow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite player.
Leave a review, share with a friend, and help more small business owners build a smarter future—one AI-powered step at a time.

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Music Credit: “I Am with You” by Dream Cave; EpidemicSound via iStock.com

Sound Effects: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/

Buy a business. Skip the struggle.
In this episode, we reveal why more entrepreneurs are choosing to acquire established businesses instead of building from scratch—and how AI gives you a massive edge every step of the way.

Host Kim Lewis Howard and business strategist Hal Howardunpack one of the biggest opportunities of 2025: buying a small business instead of building one from scratch. With millions of Baby Boomer-owned businesses hitting the market and AI leveling the playing field, the smartest move you can make might not be launching—it might be acquiring.

Whether you’re a solopreneur, a time-strapped founder, ora corporate escapee ready to own something real—this is your playbook.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why over 12 million small businesses are projected to change hands—and how to spot the right one for you
• The emotional dynamics most buyers completelyoverlook (and how to win the trust of retiring founders)
• A 5-step roadmap to buying your first business—without getting burned
• How AI tools can help you with due diligence, SOPs, negotiation, and integration
• Real-world insights from Hal’s current deals + acandid story from Kim’s own family business succession

🤖 AI Tools + Tactics Mentioned:

• Using AI to analyze P&Ls, detect red flags, and speed up financial due diligence
• How ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude can help draft SOPs, Letters of Intent, and even prep for negotiations
• Prompts that save hours—and thousands—in consulting and legal fees

Who This Episode Is For:

• Small business owners looking for their next growth move
• Solopreneurs and consultants exploring acquisition
• Aspiring entrepreneurs ready to skip the “startup struggle”
• Tech-curious founders eager to turn AI into a strategic edge
• Anyone who’s ever thought: “There has to be a smarter way to build wealth.”

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:

What kind of business would you buy if you had the right tools and roadmap?

• DM Kim or Hal on LinkedIn. Or comment here onthe platform.
• Join the AI Insiders Community for informationregarding the IMPACT masterclass → Request to Join our Private Community
• Have a question or an AI success story? DM us on LinkedIn or Facebook!
• Ask us about the Small Business Transformation Model (SBTM)—a simple, step-by-step framework designed for business owners → Email Howard & Howard Holdings, Inc.

🎧 Subscribe + Review:

If you enjoyed this episode, tap “Follow” on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss a drop of strategic wisdom. And if today’s show shifted your thinking, leave us a review—it helps us reach more entrepreneurs like you.

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Music Credit: “I Am with You” by Dream Cave; EpidemicSound via iStock.com

Sound Effects: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/