Using AI Without Losing the Human Side of My Business
Running a small business means constantly shifting gears. One minute I’m deep in strategy. The next I’m writing a proposal, answering emails, and figuring out how to automate a recurring task I didn’t know I could. I used to feel like I had to power through everything on my own. Now I have tools and collaborators that help me move faster and think more clearly. Not by doing the work for me, but by supporting how I work.
I didn’t jump into AI with a grand plan. I followed my curiosity. I started learning by doing, testing tools, joining communities, and building habits that make my day-to-day feel less overwhelming and a lot more focused.
The Tools That Are Making a Difference
I use ChatGPT as a thought partner. It helps me work through ideas, get unstuck when writing, and move from a messy concept to a clear outline. It doesn’t do the thinking for me. It helps me think faster and more efficiently, especially when my brain is juggling a dozen other things.
Loveable is a tool I’ve used to help shape my initial website and think through potential new business ideas. It helps me quickly prototype site layouts, explore different ways to frame what I do, and organize early thoughts when something is still in the “what if” stage. It’s especially useful when I want to explore multiple directions without overthinking it.
Google Workspace’s AI solutions helps me consolidate meeting notes, surface key takeaways, and draft proposals or SOWs in a fraction of the time. They make it easier to stay on top of things and keep work moving without losing clarity or momentum.
Fireflies is a meeting assistant that joins video calls and automatically records, transcribes, and highlights key points. I use Fireflies when I’m in meetings that aren’t run on Google Meet. It helps me capture action items and follow-ups without scrambling to take notes mid-conversation.
Of course, these are just a small subset of the many AI tools available to support business owners, creatives, and teams. If you’re looking to explore more, here are a few other tools worth experimenting with:
Perplexity – A conversational search engine that cites its sources and is great for quick research with more context.
Claude – A helpful, conversational assistant built by Anthropic that’s strong in reasoning and summarizing.
Gamma – A tool for creating beautiful slide decks and documents powered by AI. Great for visual storytelling and presentations.
Notion AI – Adds AI capabilities to the popular workspace tool, useful for writing, organizing, and summarizing inside Notion.
Learning by Doing and with the Right People
I recently joined a course called AI Essentials for Changemakers, a course created by Optimizing for Impact. This wasn’t just another webinar with slides and stats. It was a practical, energizing deep dive into how AI can actually support leaders and teams. Not just in theory, but in real work. I walked away from the course with more confidence, better tools, and a mindset of experimentation. It made AI feel not just accessible but useful.
Experimentation Is Where the Magic Happens
What I’ve appreciated most is the freedom to experiment. I’m not aiming for perfect systems or flashy automation. I’m exploring. I’m testing what works, letting go of what doesn’t, and building a business that feels more sustainable every day.
I’ve also been learning about systems I used to avoid. Things like Slack integrations, IP addresses, marketing automation, and how to design workflows that actually support the work. The confidence to explore came from the right people, the right tools, and the space to try.
AI Isn’t Replacing the Work. It’s Enhancing It.
There’s a misconception that using AI means outsourcing your thinking. That’s not how I use it. I use AI to process, organize, prototype, and refine. That allows me to spend more time doing the work I care about most.
If you're building something of your own or leading a team in a moment of change, my advice is simple. Start small. Follow your curiosity. Learn with others who are willing to share what they’re trying. It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about being bold enough to keep learning.