Is AI just another fad like Beanie Babies, Fidget Spinners, or NFTs? It's a fair question — and most small business owners are getting the answer wrong.

In this episode, I'll walk through a simple three-part test for separating real shifts from hype: whether something reduces cost, increases speed, and increases access. I'll show you why AI passes all three, why the messy early stage doesn't mean it's fake, and why the dot-com era is the closest parallel we have — the internet wasn't a fad, but plenty of early websites were.

This is part of the AI for Small Business miniseries — a run of episodes on what AI actually changes for small business owners, what's worth using, and what's a waste of time.

After 15+ years helping small businesses get more visible, I've watched plenty of "revolutionary" tools come and go. This one's different, and the framework in this episode is how I decide where to pay attention and where to let the hype pass.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Is AI just another fad?

0:32 Why the early chaos makes people doubt it

1:55 The three-part test: fad vs. real shift

2:33 Does AI reduce cost?

3:05 Does AI increase speed?

3:32 Does AI increase access?

4:15 The dot-com parallel

5:17 What this means for small business owners

5:57 What's actually worth using AI for

ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS BIG VISIBILITY:

A podcast for small business owners who want practical, real-world strategies to grow without burnout. Hosted by Jason McKenzie — founder of Boise Web and a 15+ year veteran helping small businesses become more visible, more profitable, and more sustainable.

Episode 392

#AIForSmallBusiness #SmallBusinessOwner #SmallBusinessMarketing

Most people are talking about AI without understanding why it matters — and the ones dismissing it are making the same mistake people made about the internet in the 1990s.

In this episode, I'll walk through the predictable cycle every major technology goes through (confusion, hype, adoption, dominance), where AI sits in that cycle right now, and why AI is breaking the old speed-cost-quality trade-off that used to force business owners to pick two. I'll also break down why the "I made $50,000 a month with AI" posts you see on social media are misleading — and what's actually going on underneath them.

This is part of the AI for Small Business miniseries — a run of episodes on what AI actually changes for small business owners, what's worth using, and what's a waste of time.

After 15+ years helping small businesses get more visible, I've watched the internet, smartphones, and social media each go through this same cycle. The small business owners who moved early on each of those built durable advantages. The ones who waited spent years catching up.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 The mistake people are making with AI right now

0:22 The cycle every major technology follows

1:36 Where AI sits in that cycle today

2:03 The speed-cost-quality triangle (and why AI breaks it)

2:45 One person plus AI vs. a whole team

3:30 Why the "$50,000 a month with AI" posts are misleading

4:27 AI as a force multiplier

ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS BIG VISIBILITY:

A podcast for small business owners who want practical, real-world strategies to grow without burnout. Hosted by Jason McKenzie — founder of Boise Web and a 15+ year veteran helping small businesses become more visible, more profitable, and more sustainable.

Episode 391

#AIForSmallBusiness #SmallBusinessOwner #SmallBusinessMarketing

What is agentic AI, and why does it matter for small business owners? In this video, we break down what agentic AI actually is, how it differs from standard LLMs, and why it is becoming such a powerful tool for getting real work done in business.

You will learn how agentic AI can help with follow ups, scheduling, lead nurturing, repetitive admin tasks, and data handling. This video also explains the opportunities, risks, and limitations of AI, especially for small business owners who want to grow without losing the human side of their business.

If you want to understand how AI for small business is evolving and how to use it wisely, this video will help you stay ahead.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction00:20 What agentic AI is00:56 Agentic AI vs LLMs01:44 Why this matters for small business02:24 How agentic AI works04:08 Examples of agentic AI in business05:20 Why speed matters in business05:51 Risks and limitations of AI06:38 Why AI should not replace relationships07:15 Final thoughts on agentic AI

Discover what an LLM (large language model) is and why it matters for small business owners today. This video breaks down AI in simple terms and explains how tools like ChatGPT are changing the way business gets done.

Learn the key differences between traditional AI and modern LLMs, and why this shift is bigger than social media or even the early internet. You will also see how AI can help with sales scripts, customer communication, hiring, and building better systems.

This video also explores what the future of AI looks like for small businesses and why those who learn to use it now will have a major advantage.

Watch now to understand how to leverage AI in your business before you get left behind.

What is AI, really and should small business owners be worried? In this video, we break down artificial intelligence in simple terms so you can understand what it is, how it works, and what it actually means for your business.

You will learn:

• What AI is and where it came from
• How AI and large language models actually work
• Why AI is more like a prediction tool than true intelligence
• The real risks and opportunities for small business owners
• Why people who use AI may replace those who do not

AI is not about replacing you. It is about working faster, better, and more efficiently. Understanding it now can help you stay competitive and grow your business.

Watch now to learn how AI really works and what it means for your future.

00:00 Is AI going to replace you00:08 Why business owners fear AI00:25 Who this video is for00:30 AI has been around for decades01:02 Early AI and data prediction01:29 How businesses used AI before02:04 Introduction to large language models02:25 How LLMs work with text and words02:51 AI as a prediction machine03:25 How AI predicts the next word03:44 The limitation of AI predictions04:35 Is AI going to replace you05:04 The real competitive threat05:32 AI improves speed and efficiency06:20 Final thoughts on using AI

Managing small business finances does not have to be overwhelming. In this video, we break down simple, practical financial basics every small business owner needs to understand to stay on track and grow with confidence.

You will learn why finding the “just right” balance matters when handling your bookkeeping, how to avoid common financial mistakes, and which key numbers actually matter in your business. From tracking cash flow to understanding accounts receivable, this video helps you focus on what truly impacts your financial health.

If you are just getting started or feeling overwhelmed by your business finances, this episode will give you clarity and direction without overcomplicating the process.

Watch now to simplify your small business financials and build a stronger foundation for growth.

Strong communication can make or break your business. In this video, we break down how knowing what to say and when to say it can dramatically improve your results as a small business owner.

Learn why many entrepreneurs struggle with over-communication or unclear messaging, and how having a clear objective transforms the way you connect with customers, teams, and prospects. This episode walks through real examples of effective and ineffective communication, showing how clarity and intention lead to better outcomes.

You will discover:

• Why clear communication drives business growth
• How to avoid over-talking and saying the wrong things
• The importance of having a plan for sales, onboarding, and customer conversations
• How to identify the key messages that matter most at each stage of your business

If you want to improve your communication skills and grow your business more effectively, this episode will give you a new perspective on what really matters.

Watch now to sharpen your communication and build a stronger business foundation.

Are you running your business like an artist or building systems that actually scale? In this video, we break down the critical difference between the artist mindset and systems thinking in small business growth.

Learn why doing everything yourself can hold your business back, and how shifting to systems can unlock real growth, consistency, and freedom.

In this video, you will discover:

• The difference between artist mode and systems mode
• Why relying on yourself limits business scalability
• How systems create consistency and reliability
• When creativity matters and when structure wins
• How to free up time for high value work

If you want to grow your business without burning out, this foundational principle can change everything. Watch now to start building a business that works without you.