Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business 1102: AI that can ROLEPLAY as your clients, your board, and your collaborative partner w/ Kristi Perdue
AI is everywhere in 2025, but most businesses still don’t know how to actually implement it for real results. That’s where today’s guest, Kristi Perdue, comes in. As the CEO of AlterBridge Strategies and a Certified Chief AI Officer, Kristi helps executives bridge the gap between AI hype and actual execution.
In this episode, Kristi shares why AI isn’t just a tech tool but a strategic business partner, how to avoid the biggest AI mistakes, and how to use AI to drive business growth—without replacing human expertise. If you’re looking for real-world AI strategies that can give your business a competitive edge, this episode is a must-listen.
💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business
🚀 Why AI isn’t just a tool—it’s a strategic shift for your business
🤖 How to use AI as a collaborative partner, not just an assistant
⚡ The #1 mistake businesses make when rolling out AI (and how to avoid it)
💡 Why AI is NOT a replacement for people—but a way to enhance expertise
🛠️ How to use AI for strategic decision-making, not just productivity hacks
💼 What a Chief AI Officer does—and how your business can benefit from one
📝 About Kristi Perdue
With 30 years in B2B high tech, former CMO, and certified Chief AI Officer (CAIO), Kristi Perdue leads AlterBridge Strategies in empowering clients to embed AI as a strategic, collaborative partner. Specializing in Gen AI enablement and governance, she guides companies to unlock growth while ensuring responsible, ethical AI practices. Known for her people-first approach, Kristi fosters an AI-mindset that drives measurable impact and keeps businesses ahead of the competition. Her deep expertise in AI strategy and governance helps leaders harness AI’s full potential - safely and effectively - for transformative results.
🎯 Kristi’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs
“Just do it. Don’t wait. If you have a passion, jump.”
Kristi’s own entrepreneurial journey was sparked by a major wake-up call—after a cerebral aneurysm and a serious back injury, she realized she needed to take control of her future. Her advice? Stop overthinking and take action.
💡 Key Takeaways from Kristi's Advice:
✔ Entrepreneurship is about action, not just ideas—start NOW
✔ You don’t need permission—go after what excites you
✔ Your journey will evolve, but the most important step is the first one
📢 Memorable Quotes
💬 “AI isn’t just another tool—it’s a strategic shift that business leaders need to rethink from the ground up.” – Kristi Perdue
💬 “Throw AI at a bad process, and it stays bad. AI is only as good as the system you put it into.” – Kristi Perdue
💬 “Your expertise is what makes AI work for you—not the other way around.” – Kristi Perdue
💡 Actionable Takeaways
✅ Rethink how your business can use AI beyond simple automations
✅ View AI as a strategic partner—use it to enhance your expertise, not replace it
✅ Don’t rush into AI—align your leadership team first
✅ Test AI-driven decision-making with role-playing & simulations before full adoption
✅ Stay ahead of AI trends—because businesses that ignore it will get left behind
🔗 Links & Resources