Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business 1291: Your Local Grocer Will Soon Have Its Own AI Team... Here's Why and How w/ Yehoyada (Yoyo) Mandeel
Tired of hearing about AI in theoretical terms? This episode is your antidote. We sit down with Yehoyada (Yoyo) Mandeel, an AI implementation expert who is bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and traditional, non-tech businesses. Yoyo explains why every company—from your local moving company to a real estate agency—is about to become a digital business, and how accessible AI makes this possible. This episode is packed with value for any entrepreneur who wants to move beyond the hype and start using AI to solve real-world problems, reduce costs, and eliminate the tasks that cause burnout in their business. Yoyo’s deep experience with global giants like SodaStream and his current mission with Marzipan Tech provide a masterclass in making advanced technology practical and profitable for everyone.
💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business
- 🤖 Why every business, regardless of industry, is becoming a digital business and how you can get ahead of the curve.
- 💡 The simple question to ask that immediately reveals where AI can have the biggest impact: "What is the task that you hate most about your business?"
- 🚀 How agentic AI is making custom, proprietary software affordable and accessible even for small businesses with just $5-10 million in revenue.
- 📈 The "AI Officer as a Service" model and why every company needs to start thinking about AI at the executive level to drive real change.
- 🤝 How to frame conversations about AI to non-tech stakeholders by focusing on value and pain points, not technical jargon.
- 👥 Why AI won't replace your team but will instead augment their capacity, freeing up human capital for more dynamic, creative, and complex work.
- 🛠️ A simple framework for deciding what tasks to give to AI: If you can explain it to a personal assistant in four hours and never talk to them again, it’s ready for automation.
📝 About Yehoyada (Yoyo) Mandeel
Yehoyada (Yoyo) Mandeel is the founder and CEO of Marzipan Tech, an AI implementation agency dedicated to making intelligent systems accessible to traditional industries. After a fascinating early career that included studying law, clerking at the Israeli Supreme Court, and working in the Prime Minister's office, Yoyo realized his true passion was in leveraging technology for non-tech businesses. He has since led technology, innovation, and digital transformation for global giants like SodaStream, Adama, and G42, bringing a results-oriented approach to bridging the gap between business goals and cutting-edge AI solutions. Yoyo’s unique vision is to empower the "underserved" small and medium-sized businesses that have historically been left out of the tech revolution.
🎯 Yoyo’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs
"Be able to build yourself with the future. Don't fight it and embrace it and enjoy it... Always leave 20% that you're trying new things."
📢 Memorable Quotes
- “If there is a process usually that you hate doing, and that you're doing it more than three times a day, then give it to AI.” – Yehoyada (Yoyo) Mandeel
- "In the future I believe every business will be a digital business, and that's a pattern that I'm confident in, actually I'm betting all my career on this.” – Yehoyada (Yoyo) Mandeel
🔗 Links & Resources