How Gresham Harkless Leverages AI to 10X His Business Without Working Harder

Hector sits down with Gresham Harkless, founder of Blue 16 Media and a serial entrepreneur who discovered his calling at just 10 years old when he started a family newspaper. Gresham shares his journey from selling potato chips on the playground to building a digital marketing business, launching a franchise brokerage, and hosting multiple podcasts for entrepreneurs. He reveals why every business owner should think of themselves as a media company and how content creation is the common thread connecting all his ventures. The conversation dives deep into the evolving landscape of marketing, exploring how AI tools are removing barriers and enabling entrepreneurs to scale without working harder. Gresham discusses his framework for thinking differently about growth using concepts from "10X Is Easier Than 2X" and challenges conventional definitions of scaling by emphasizing time as the most valuable resource. He shares practical examples of how AI has transformed his business operations, from replacing $2,000/month contractor services with $20/month ChatGPT subscriptions to creating websites over a weekend that would have taken months. Throughout the discussion, Gresham emphasizes the importance of authenticity, storytelling, and the human element in business, arguing that technology should amplify rather than replace human connection. He encourages business owners to look back at their childhood passions to discover their true calling and to consistently share their stories across multiple platforms to build trust and reach their audience in today's noisy digital landscape.

Chapters

1. (00:00:00) - Everyone is a Media Company Now
2. (00:01:00) - From Potato Chips to Building a Media Empire
3. (00:03:00) - The Common Thread: Content as Your Superpower
4. (00:05:00) - Why Storytelling Still Matters in Business
5. (00:08:00) - Marketing Principles Stay the Same, Tools Change
6. (00:10:00) - The Human Element: What Technology Can't Replace
7. (00:13:00) - Why You Need to Say It 100 Times Before They Hear It
8. (00:16:00) - AI and New Tech: Removing the Ceiling on What's Possible
9. (00:19:00) - From $2,000/Month to $20/Month: Real AI Transformation
10. (00:22:00) - Scaling Isn't Just About Revenue—It's About Time
11. (00:25:00) - 10X Is Easier Than 2X: Thinking Differently About Growth
12. (00:29:00) - The Secret to Scaling: Define What It Means to You

Links And Resources:

1. Website
2. Gresham Harkless on LinkedIn
3. Amplafy Media
4. Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn
5. Hector Santiesteban on Twitter

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