1357: Think AI Will Take Your Job? It Might Make You a Founder Instead w/ Carol Zhu

In a world overflowing with AI-generated content, how do you turn the noise into revenue? Carol Zhu, CEO of DecodeNetwork.AI, has the answer. Drawing from her high-level experience at tech giants like AWS AI, TikTok, and Credit Karma, Carol breaks down the massive, untapped opportunity in the AI creator economy. She reveals how her company is building the "monetization layer" for AI, connecting digital art to physical commerce through print-on-demand, brand partnerships, and content licensing. This episode is a masterclass for any entrepreneur looking to find a real business model within the hype, showing you how to extract signal from noise and build a valuable company in the fastest-moving industry on the planet.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR BusinessHow to identify and fill the critical monetization gaps in the exploding AI market.The strategy for turning AI-generated content into tangible, sellable products like home decor and apparel.Why AI is creating a new class of entrepreneurs by decoupling creative expression from technical skill.How to find the "signal in the noise" and build a business that curates high-quality AI content.The playbook for using print-on-demand and brand partnerships to scale your AI-driven business.The key differences between targeting the mass market versus enterprise clients with a new AI venture.📝 About Carol Zhu Carol Zhu is the CEO and co-founder of DecodeNetwork.AI, the monetization layer for AI creativity. With a rich background as a product lead at AWS AI and a founding project manager at TikTok Shop, Carol has deep expertise in scaling consumer products and navigating the complexities of the artificial intelligence stack. Her unique vantage point, shaped by roles at iconic companies like Credit Karma, gives her incredible insight into building viable, revenue-generating businesses on the cutting edge of technology.🎯 Carol’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs "Believe in your correct contrarian and push it forward."📢 Memorable Quotes “What AI has changed... is that it decoupled self expression, or artistic expression or creative expression from the skills itself.” – Carol Zhu“The supply of creativity gets largely unlocked.” – Carol Zhu“What's the real problem now is to extract signals out of noises... out of the 15 billion images, there must be some top really good ones.” – Carol Zhu🔗 Links & Resources Visit DecodeNetwork.AI’s websiteConnect with Carol on LinkedInFollow Carol on Instagram

Ever had someone give you "helpful" advice that left you feeling small, annoyed, or full of self-doubt? You’re not alone. On this Solo Sunday, Brian dives deep into one of the ugliest human behaviors that every entrepreneur faces: unsolicited advice. He unpacks why this seemingly innocent act can be more damaging than outright criticism, planting seeds of doubt that can derail your progress. Drawing from over a decade of experience, Brian explains the psychology behind why it feels so gross, why the most brilliant people you'll ever meet rarely give it, and how it’s often a sign of the other person’s insecurity, not your incompetence. This is the episode that will arm you with the mindset and the tools to protect your vision and keep moving forward.✨ Why This Matters for YouUnderstanding the dynamic of unsolicited advice is a superpower for entrepreneurs:It protects your confidence from being eroded by people who don't have the full picture.It helps you distinguish between genuine support and someone else's ego trip.It gives you a framework to filter out the noise and stay focused on your unique path.You’ll walk away with a simple, powerful script to handle unwanted advice with grace and finality.📝 Key TakeawaysContext is Everything. Advice without full context isn't wisdom, it's just noise. The advice-giver never has the complete picture of your business, finances, or personal life.Competence Questions, Incompetence Declares. The smartest and most successful people ask questions because they understand complexity. Less experienced people tend to give declarative, overconfident advice (the Dunning-Kruger effect in action).Intention vs. Impact. Even if someone "means well," the impact of unsolicited advice often lands as judgment, implicitly saying, "I know better than you."Advice Can Be a Boundary Violation. When advice isn't asked for, it’s not helpfulness; it's a violation of your autonomy and decision-making process.Support > Advise. The most valuable people in your corner aren't the ones telling you what to do. They are the ones who support and encourage you on the journey you've chosen."Nobody Bigger Than You..." Brian shares a powerful quote from The Magic of Thinking Big: "Nobody bigger than you will ever try to knock you down." People who use unsolicited advice to make you question yourself are revealing their own position, not yours.🚀 Put It Into ActionThis week, use this episode to build your defense against unwanted noise:Think back to the last time you received unsolicited advice. How did it actually make you feel? Acknowledge that feeling.Instead of internalizing the "advice," ask yourself: "What context is this person missing?" This reframes the situation and protects your mindset.Prepare for the next time it happens. Mentally rehearse Brian’s simple response: “I really appreciate that, but there’s a lot of context that you probably don’t know going on behind the scenes.”🔗 Stay ConnectedSubscribe to the show so you never miss an episodeConnect with Brian on Instagram @imetbrianShare this episode with a fellow entrepreneur who needs this powerful reminder to trust their own path

Kevin Kertes, a former senior music executive turned founder of advanceMen Coaching, joins the show to discuss the transformative power of vulnerability, connection, and purpose for male entrepreneurs. He shares his journey from a high-stakes corporate career to building a coaching practice dedicated to helping men lead with more confidence and intention. This episode is a must-listen for any entrepreneur feeling isolated or questioning their path, as Kevin provides a powerful framework for aligning your business with your core "why," leading to greater fulfillment and sustainable success.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business🚀 The critical difference between mentorship, therapy, and coaching—and which one you need to break through your current plateau.💡 Why embracing vulnerability is a superpower for male leaders, fostering stronger teams and deeper client relationships.🔥 How to answer the question, "Who are you without telling me what you do for a living?" to uncover your true identity and purpose.🎯 The simple yet profound daily practices to shift your energy from apathetic to anabolic, attracting more opportunities and positive outcomes.💰 Why knowing your "why" is the ultimate foundation for a business that not only makes money but also provides deep, personal fulfillment.🤝 Actionable strategies for building genuine connections and a powerful support network to combat entrepreneurial isolation.📝 About Kevin KertesKevin Kertes is the founder of advanceMen Coaching, a practice designed to help men move forward with confidence, clarity, and purpose. With nearly 30 years of experience as a senior music executive at industry giants like Warner Brothers and Sony Music, Kevin brings a unique blend of corporate wisdom and certified coaching expertise to his work. His mission is to help men break out of isolation, build genuine confidence, and live with intention, transforming how they show up as leaders, partners, and community members.🎯 Kevin’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs"Make sure you know your why. If you don't know your why, nothing's going to work. It all comes back to why you're doing something."📢 Memorable Quotes“One of the first questions I ask in the men's group is tell me a little bit about who you are without telling me what you do for a living.” – Kevin Kertes“The energy you put out into the world, you get back. And if the energy you put out is genuine and it's really you, you'll get it back.” – Kevin Kertes“Being an entrepreneur is another word for being a salesman… But if you know it and it comes back to your why, then the family work, the running the kids to soccer practice… you manage it.” – Kevin Kertes🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit advanceMEN Coaching’s websiteConnect with Kevin on LinkedInFollow advanceMEN Coaching on LinkedIn

In this powerhouse episode, Brian sits down with May Guevara, the founder of Guevara Group and GalaxiTron, who is revolutionizing one of business's most dreaded tasks: compliance. May explains how a childhood spent spotting clothing defects for her mom wired her brain for quality control and led to a career ensuring excellence in high-stakes industries like aerospace and defense. This episode is a masterclass in building a business the right way from the ground up. You’ll learn why focusing on infrastructure over shiny ideas is the key to long-term success, how to cultivate a true culture of excellence, and how groundbreaking AI can transform compliance from a manual burden into a strategic advantage, freeing you up to focus on what truly matters.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR BusinessHow to transform a personal knack (like spotting defects) into a scalable, high-value business concept.Why building infrastructure—systems, habits, and processes—is more critical to success than chasing the next big idea.The leadership secret to creating a culture of excellence: “Walk the walk” and demonstrate the standards you expect from your team.How to leverage AI to automate mundane tasks, enhance human efficiency, and turn compliance into a competitive advantage.The mindset shift from dreading audits and measurement to using them as powerful tools for continuous improvement.A practical framework (the Eisenhower Matrix) to ruthlessly prioritize your tasks and eliminate time-wasters.Why consistency and structure, not motivation, are the true drivers of entrepreneurial momentum.📝 About May Guevara May Guevara is the founder and CEO of Guevara Group and GalaxiTron, operating at the intersection of compliance, quality systems, and advanced AI. With deep expertise across aerospace, space, defense, and other highly regulated industries where failure is not an option, May helps organizations achieve audit readiness and operational resilience. Known for her integrity-driven leadership and a track record of zero audit findings, she is now pioneering the use of AI to transform compliance from a manual obligation into an intelligent, continuously monitored system. Her unique perspective makes the often-intimidating world of quality control accessible and actionable for any entrepreneur.🎯 May’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs “Stop chasing ideas and start building infrastructure.”📢 Memorable Quotes“I don't just chase shortcuts because they will always come back and bite you in the behind. I care deeply about quality, integrity, structure, and doing things the right way from day one.” – May Guevara“Quality is a mindset. It's a culture. It starts with the right mindset first and then translate[s] it into workmanship and what you do every day. Where you need to start is you got to care first.” – May Guevara“AI is not necessarily out there to take away jobs... I built it with a vision that this tool will help human workforce work more efficiently, take away their burden, take away their manual workload.” – May Guevara🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit GalaxiTron’s websiteVisit Guevara Group’s websiteConnect with May on LinkedInFollow GalaxiTron Inc. on LinkedInFollow Guevara Group LLC on LinkedIn

Feeling overwhelmed by the AI revolution? In this episode, Luka Anic, co-founder of the AI transformation firm Fox + Spindle, demystifies the world of artificial intelligence for entrepreneurs. Luka shares his accidental journey into AI and explains how it became the secret weapon for launching his own business. He breaks down the difference between AI hype and practical reality, offering a clear roadmap for how you can start leveraging this technology today. This episode is your guide to moving past the fear and uncertainty, showing you how to use AI as a powerful co-founder, brainstorming partner, and accelerator for your business dreams, all while navigating the critical ethical considerations.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR BusinessHow to leverage AI as a co-founder to fill skill gaps you have in your business—from coding your website to understanding legal requirements.Why "playing" with AI for personal tasks is the most effective first step before implementing it professionally.The crucial difference between deterministic tasks (where AI fails) and creative tasks (where AI excels), so you know exactly when to trust it.How to use AI as a team, leveraging the unique strengths of models like Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini to achieve the best results.A framework for using AI ethically, recognizing its inherent biases so you can build a responsible and fair business.How to use AI to overcome entrepreneurial roadblocks, turning your inner critic into a strategic advocate for your vision.Practical ways AI can accelerate your business launch, from crafting marketing strategies and cold email campaigns to ensuring legal compliance.📝 About Luka Anic Luka Anic is the Croatian-American co-founder of Fox + Spindle, a boutique consulting firm dedicated to AI transformation. His journey into AI began by accident while helping a former employer implement it internally, but it quickly ignited a passion that led him to co-found his own company with his best friend. Luka’s unique perspective combines strategy and storytelling, focusing on helping entrepreneurs and businesses wield AI with confidence, effectiveness, and a strong ethical foundation.🎯 Luka’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs "It's never the right time. So if you think that you want to do it, just go ahead and do it."📢 Memorable Quotes“AI allows you to be someone you have never been before or even knew that you wanted to be. It can unlock skills that you don't have and in a way don't even need to build anymore.” – Luka Anic“Generative AI is fantastic when there is no correct answer. That's why it's so good at recommending books, why it's so good at writing stories.” – Luka Anic“If you're new to AI, please don't start using it at work right away. Have fun with it first.” – Luka Anic🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Fox + Spindle’s websiteConnect with Luka on LinkedInFollow Fox + Spindle on LinkedIn

In this episode, Brian sits down with Justine Lafond, a two-time founder who has mastered the art of building premium brands. Drawing from nearly 20 years in the luxury space, Justine shares how she translated her expertise from running a luxury interior design firm, Jaunty J Interiors, into launching Étoile Agency, a boutique media agency. This conversation is a masterclass in applying high-end principles to any business, focusing on creating an unmatched client experience, building unshakable trust, and mastering the power of perceived value. For any entrepreneur looking to elevate their brand and foster deep, lasting client connections, this episode is packed with tangible strategies to make your business feel first-class.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR BusinessHow to define and build "perceived value" so you can command premium prices and earn immediate trust.Why running two parallel businesses can be your greatest asset, making you a more insightful and valuable entrepreneur.The power of authentic, relationship-based networking in a world obsessed with automation and transactional interactions.Actionable strategies for maintaining client relationships that feel personal and high-touch (even on a budget).How to use AI as a tool for efficiency without sacrificing the essential human element that builds loyalty.The "Pillar Method" for defining your brand's core identity and staying authentic through every stage of growth.Why a "buttoned-up" digital footprint is the first step to proving your business is legitimate and trustworthy.📝 About Justine Lafond Justine Lafond is a military spouse, mother, and the dynamic founder of two distinct businesses: Étoile Agency, a boutique national media agency, and Jaunty J Interiors, a full-service luxury interior design firm. With nearly two decades of experience in niche and luxury industries, she possesses a rare mastery of sales, marketing, and relationship-based networking. Justine’s unique perspective comes from her ability to apply the principles of luxury, trust, and authentic connection across different industries, making her an invaluable guide for entrepreneurs looking to build brands with lasting impact.🎯 Justine’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs "If you feel a pull towards something that can make a difference in people's lives or businesses or the world, you should do it and not make excuses and just give it a shot."📢 Memorable Quotes“Luxury is how something makes you feel. But to a degree, it's also kind of perceived value of things.” – Justine Lafond“The big piece I think that's missing especially in the luxury space is the trust that you have to have... before they're going to commit to spending X amount of dollars.” – Justine Lafond"I think it's always going to be trendy to just be authentic. And that goes for home design and the digital marketing world.” – Justine Lafond🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Étoile Agency’s websiteVisit Jaunty J Interiors’ websiteConnect with Justine on LinkedInFollow Étoile Agency on LinkedInFollow Étoile Agency on Instagram

Ever felt like you’ve thrown money at paid ads with nothing to show for it? You’re not alone. In this episode, Kayla Bravo, the founder of Maverick Advertising, pulls back the curtain on why most ad campaigns fail before they even start. She reveals that success isn't about having the biggest budget or the cleverest ad copy; it's about building a rock-solid business foundation first. This episode is a masterclass for any entrepreneur who wants to stop gambling with their ad spend and start investing in a predictable, scalable growth strategy. Kayla’s approach, which treats clients like family and prioritizes education over jargon, will change the way you think about advertising forever.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business🚀 Why a strong business foundation (website, messaging, branding) is non-negotiable for advertising success.💰 How to set realistic expectations for your ad campaigns to avoid the "Nike results on a startup budget" trap.🎯 The masterful qualification question you must ask potential clients to understand their true intentions and avoid headaches.📈 How to design effective Calls to Action (CTAs) that guide website visitors and turn traffic into tangible leads.🧠 Why patience is the most underrated—and most crucial—element of a winning digital advertising strategy.🤝 The "dating process" for onboarding new clients to build deep, long-lasting partnerships based on communication and trust.⚙️ How to prepare your backend systems (like a CRM) to handle an influx of leads so you don't miss out on massive opportunities.📝 About Kayla BravoKayla Bravo is the owner and founder of Maverick Advertising, a digital advertising agency built on the core values of transparency, education, and strategy-driven results. After pivoting from a career in accounting to her true passion for marketing, Kayla launched Maverick to provide a different kind of agency experience. She views her clients not as accounts, but as extensions of her team, making their problems her problems and their successes her own. Her unique perspective combines a love for data with a deep commitment to building genuine relationships, helping businesses achieve real, sustainable growth.🎯 Kayla’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs"Don't let fear overtake you, take that risk."📢 Memorable Quotes“A lot of people want Nike results, but they don't have the Nike budget. And I'm very clear with that—the expectations are real.” – Kayla Bravo“Their success is our success. Their problems are our problems because we're trying to help them.” – Kayla Bravo“I had a client once say, 'You understand we're never gonna leave you at this point. We're married.'… And I think about it that way. It's like I'm getting to know my clients and understand what their needs are.” – Kayla Bravo🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Maverick Advertising’s websiteConnect with Kayla on LinkedInFollow Maverick Advertising on LinkedInFollow Maverick Advertising on InstagramFollow Maverick Advertising on Facebook

In his first Solo Sunday of 2026, Brian Lofrumento shares his biggest and most urgent prediction for the year: AI is no longer an early-adopter advantage; it’s rapidly becoming the bare minimum for business viability. Using a powerful analogy from the rise of the internet, Brian explains how we’ve reached a tipping point where not using AI won't just slow you down—it will actively penalize you and leave you behind. He breaks down the four key areas of your business that will be most affected and provides a clear-eyed perspective on why this shift isn't about being replaced, but about keeping pace in a world where momentum now matters more than ever.✨ Why This Matters for YouUnderstanding this shift is critical for your survival and growth:It’s about viability, not just advantage. Your competitors are already using AI, and customer expectations are shifting rapidly.AI is becoming "assumed infrastructure" like a website or email. Operating without it will make your business seem outdated and inefficient.It directly impacts your bottom line, from customer response times and content visibility to your own operational sanity as a founder.You haven't missed the boat yet, but the window is closing. Now is the time to build momentum, not wait to be the last one to adapt.📝 Key TakeawaysThe Website Parallel: In the early 2000s, websites were optional. Today, a business without one is invisible. AI is following the exact same trajectory.Advantage vs. Penalty: The conversation around AI has shifted. In 2026, you won’t be rewarded for using AI; you’ll be penalized for not using it.Customers Won't Wait: AI-enabled businesses offer instant support. If your response time is measured in days, customers will simply go elsewhere without telling you why.Content and Visibility: AI allows your competition to create 5-10x more content. Without it, you're fighting for visibility with one hand tied behind your back.Ease Your Mental Load: As a founder, you're already stretched thin. AI is a critical tool for automating operations and freeing up your mental energy for high-level strategy.It's Not Too Late (But Act Now): It’s no longer about being first. It's about not being last. Building momentum now is the key to staying in the game.🚀 Put It Into ActionThis week, conduct an honest AI audit of your business:Identify the single biggest manual bottleneck in your operations. Could an AI tool help automate or streamline it?Look at your customer response process. Where could AI provide faster, more efficient answers to common questions?Pick one area—show notes, social media posts, email newsletters—and experiment with using AI to speed up your content creation this week.Don't aim for perfection. The goal is to start moving and build momentum.🔗 Stay ConnectedSubscribe to the show so you never miss an episodeConnect with Brian on Instagram @imetbrianShare this episode with a fellow entrepreneur who needs to hear this urgent message about the future of business

Meet Dr. Peter Bonutti: a surgeon, inventor, professor, author, and powerhouse entrepreneur who operates a 40,000-square-foot medical device incubator from a town of 13,000 people. In this episode, Dr. Bonutti unpacks his incredible journey from a resident inspired by an inventive mentor to an innovator with over 500 patents to his name. He reveals his core philosophy: identifying problems from the patient's perspective and relentlessly developing solutions, which led to groundbreaking inventions like UVCeed, a mobile, medical-grade disinfecting device. For wantrepreneurs and entrepreneurs, this episode is a masterclass in how to find opportunities in any industry, the power of reinvesting in R&D, and why your job isn't just to participate in your field but to actively improve it.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business🚀 How to adopt a patient-first (or customer-first) mindset to uncover market-defining product ideas that incumbents overlook.💰 The powerful strategy of reinvesting 100% of early profits back into research and development to build a sustainable innovation engine.🧠 Why the simplest solution is often the best, and how to find the "least common denominator" to solve complex problems effectively.📱 How to leverage existing, ubiquitous technology (like a smartphone's camera and AI) to make your own products smarter, safer, and more accessible.📈 The art of educating your market: How to explain complex technology (like UVC disinfection) in a way that highlights clear, undeniable benefits over the competition.🤖 A balanced perspective on AI: How to use it as a game-changing tool for personalized solutions while being wary of the "garbage in, garbage out" data problem.📝 About Dr. Peter Bonutti Dr. Peter Bonutti is an orthopedic surgeon, inventor, author, professor, and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience. He is the founder of Bonutti Research, a medical device incubator that has developed technologies used worldwide, resulting in over 500 patents and 700 licenses. Dr. Bonutti’s unique perspective comes from balancing his active surgical practice with a relentless drive to innovate, always focusing on solving problems from the patient's point of view. He proves that world-changing innovation doesn't have to come from a major tech hub, but from a deep commitment to improving the lives of others.🎯 Dr. Peter’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs "We owe ourselves the responsibility to enhance the lives of those around us, and that can be done as an entrepreneur by looking at problems that we see, coming up with solutions, and iteratively changing those to improve the quality of life around us."📢 Memorable Quotes"I started to focus early on my career, listening to the patients, seeing what their problems were, and then tried to develop technologies, ideas that would address what patients were concerned about the most." – Dr. Peter Bonutti"My job is not just to practice medicine, but to improve the quality of medicine." – Dr. Peter Bonutti"Just because the status quo exists does not mean that it's optimal. We can always improve things around us." – Dr. Peter Bonutti🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit UVCeed’s websiteConnect with Peter on LinkedInFollow UVCeed on LinkedIn

To kick off 2026, Brian is joined by his good friend and fellow entrepreneur, Ian Westermann of Essential Tennis, for a raw, unfiltered conversation about the real journey of a long-term creator. They pull back the curtain on the emotional highs and lows of building a content-driven business, from the thrill of growth and scaling a team to the painful reality of market saturation and the need to pivot. This episode is a must-listen for any entrepreneur feeling the grind of organic content. You'll get a rare, honest look at the struggles of creator loneliness, the necessity of evolving your business model, and how rediscovering your passion can pave the way for your next big breakthrough.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR BusinessWhy the "organic content grind" that worked in the 2010s is a death spiral now, and how to start pivoting your strategy for 2026.How to combat the loneliness of entrepreneurship by shifting from a one-way content model to building a genuine two-way community.The emotional journey of scaling a business up and then back down, and how to find gratitude and excitement in being a solopreneur again.How to leverage your entire library of past content as an unbelievable training asset for AI, sparking fresh ideas you've never thought of.The critical importance of "play" – how geeking out on unrelated hobbies can unlock unexpected skills and lay the groundwork for your next business venture.A powerful mindset shift: viewing your business's growth not just for yourself, but as a vehicle to provide opportunities and support for your team.📝 About Ian Westermann Ian Westermann is the founder of Essential Tennis, the world's #1 online tennis instruction resource. Since 2008, he has built a content empire, publishing over 4,000 videos and helping millions of players improve their game. Ian is not just a world-class coach; he's a seasoned entrepreneur who has navigated the incredible evolution of digital media for over 16 years. His unique perspective comes from experiencing the full cycle of the content creator economy, from being a trailblazing pioneer to competing in a now-saturated market, offering invaluable, hard-won lessons for any business owner today.🎯 Ian’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs "If you're not excited about the thing you're working on, you will never, ever, ever put in the hours or ever, ever follow through enough times to ever have a chance of being good enough at that thing to be able to charge any money for that product or service."📢 Memorable Quotes“Humans are just not wired to just yell into the void and feel whole. I don't think it's okay to want that two-way street.” – Ian Westermann“I’m just coming back around again to being excited about being a solo creator again… learning to be grateful just for that again, which I know there's people listening that are like giving me the middle finger right now if you don't already have your own business.” – Ian Westermann“Just being able to get outside your own head… especially when you don't have a team… It's unbelievably powerful.” – Ian Westermann on using AI as a strategic partner.🔗 Links & ResourcesWebsite: EssentialTennis.comYouTube: Essential TennisPodcast: The Essential Tennis Podcast