Nikonomics - The Economics of Small Business

Craig Fuller, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Sonar and FreightWaves, dives deep into the chaotic world of supply chains. He explains how unexpected tariff hikes are causing turmoil, highlighting the lag between order and delivery that’s piling freight up. Fuller shares insights on why U.S. importers are seen as credit risks, and discusses looming shortages and potential layoffs in the trucking industry. Entrepreneurs are urged to adapt as trade dynamics shift rapidly, emphasizing the need for strategic sourcing and compliance in this unpredictable landscape.

Richard Marmorstein, a software developer at Hume AI, shares his AI expertise and personal projects, including crafting a custom storybook for his son. He demonstrates Hume AI's advanced text-to-speech technology and discusses its business applications. The conversation dives into the distinction between general language models and reasoning models like those from OpenAI, exploring how AI enhances coding tasks and facilitates creative content repurposing. Richard's insights on using AI tools provide a fresh perspective on leveraging technology in daily life.

Join Elizabeth Knopf, an AI expert, as she unpacks the fast-evolving landscape of AI development. She discusses the shift from traditional language models to advanced reasoning models that not only predict but also solve business problems. Discover how Lindy, a user-friendly automation tool, streamlines tasks like lead enrichment, making workflows simpler for small businesses. Elizabeth also addresses the importance of quality assurance in AI outputs and the revolutionary abilities of models like GPT-4.1, which are transforming business automation.

🚨MY NEWSLETTER https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🚨Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Olivia (https://x.com/0h_look) from The Automated Agency. We dive into the exciting world of AI and automation and how they're supercharging businesses, especially those dealing directly with clients.Olivia shares her expertise on using tools like Zapier and ChatGPT to streamline workflows and even build entirely new systems. Get ready to explore the practical applications of AI in making your business run smoother!Questions This Episode Answers:How is AI currently being used in business?What is Zapier and how does it help connect different business apps?Why is it important to understand your business systems before implementing AI?Do you always need existing systems in place before you can automate?Where should overwhelmed entrepreneurs start with automation?Enjoy the conversation!__________________________Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or email me at nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts.__________________________MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribeSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98yApple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT__________________________This week we covered:00:00 Unlocking AI Potential in Automation02:53 The Role of APIs in AI Integration06:00 Exploring Automation Tools: Zapier and Make08:52 Building Effective Workflows with Automation12:03 Leveraging AI for Enhanced Business Processes15:00 Creating Custom Automations: A Step-by-Step Guide17:53 Integrating AI into Existing Systems21:11 Utilizing AI for Data Management and Analysis24:03 Overcoming Challenges in Automation27:08 Advice for Entrepreneurs: Starting Small with Automation

🚨MY NEWSLETTER https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🚨Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Nick Huber (https://x.com/sweatystartup). We dive deep into Nick's incredible entrepreneurial journey, from his early days in the moving and storage business to building a self-storage empire and his latest venture: the acquisition of the global talent company, Somewhere.We explore his unique approach to business, his no-nonsense "sweaty startup" philosophy, and how he built a massive online audience. We also chat about his brand new book, "The Sweaty Startup, how to get rich doing boring things". Get ready for an insightful conversation packed with real-world business wisdom!Questions This Episode Answers:How did you get started in entrepreneurship?What was the "massive win" early in your career?Why did you decide to buy Somewhere?What's your philosophy on building an audience online?What's one key thing you look for when hiring?Enjoy the conversation!__________________________Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or email me at nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts.__________________________MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribeSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98yApple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT__________________________This week we covered:00:00 Building a Self-Storage Empire02:53 The Journey of Entrepreneurship05:46 Leveraging Social Media for Growth09:11 Acquisition and Business Expansion12:03 Navigating Financial Decisions14:55 The Future of Outsourcing Talent24:01 The Weight of Responsibility in Entrepreneurship25:28 Navigating the AI Landscape30:49 The Challenge of Hiring Executives34:13 The Art of Leadership and Team Building38:05 Competition and Market Dynamics43:54 The Journey of Writing a Book__________________________www.sweatystartup.comwww.nickhuber.comwww.sweatystartupbook.comwww.somewhere.com/nick www.boltstorage.comwww.recostseg.comwww.adrhino.comwww.spidexx.comwww.boldseo.comwww.webrun.comwww.titanrisk.comwww.recruitjet.comwww.hubermethod.comwww.x.com/sweatystartupwww.instagram.com/sweatystartupwww.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartupwww.youtube.com/sweatystartupwww.tiktok.com/sweatystartupwww.threads.net/@sweatystartup.comhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nick-huber-show/id1576120606

Exciting updates are on the horizon with new guests and projects coming soon. The focus is shifting towards using AI to support small businesses and enhance productivity. There’s a fresh perspective on how community feedback can shape the podcast's future. With insights on integrating AI tools like ChatGPT, listeners can expect practical tips to navigate the evolving market landscape. Stay tuned for engaging discussions that promise to redefine the world of small business!

Jake Colling, a software developer and founder of Carrot, shares his expertise in AI and automation. They dive into the capabilities of various AI models like Gemini and Claude, highlighting their strengths in tasks such as document processing and coding. Jake emphasizes how Carrot simplifies AI workflows for non-tech users, comparing it to tools like Zapier. The discussion also uncovers how AI is transforming sales management and speeding up software development, making these technologies more accessible and effective for businesses.

Kimi Green, CEO of Sam's List, shares her remarkable journey from skepticism to entrepreneurship. She recounts a humorous initial conversation with Sam Parr that sparked her business idea. They discuss authentic connections in business and Kimi's evolution as a founder. The conversation delves into the significance of self-awareness and navigating financial struggles, emphasizing sustainable strategies without heavy reliance on venture capital. Kimi's personal anecdotes make the challenges of entrepreneurship relatable and engaging.

Abbi Perets, a seasoned freelance writer from the late 90s who thrived during Silicon Valley's tech boom, shares her journey through the evolving landscape of writing. She discusses how AI is not a threat but a tool that reshapes the writing process. Abbi highlights the importance of personal expression amidst technological change and shares practical tips on leveraging AI, particularly Claude, to enhance project management and writing tasks. Tune in for insights on adapting to new tools and building a successful freelance career!

🚨MY NEWSLETTER https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🚨Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview John Long of Thynk.AI. We dive into the fascinating world of AI agents and how they're being used to automate crucial business processes like communication with customers.John shares the story behind Thynk.AI, revealing how they use AI to help other businesses leverage this powerful technology. We even get a live demonstration of their AI agent, Eric, in action! It's a look at the present and future of AI in business that you won't want to miss.Questions This Episode Answers:What is your business?What models do you use and for what purposes?Has the AI agent technology progressed and gotten better?Is there kind of like an ideal customer that this works for?How is the podcast done?Enjoy the conversation!__________________________Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or email me at nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts.__________________________MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribeSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98yApple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT__________________________This week we covered:00:00 Introduction and Overview of Think.ai01:53 AI Models and Use Cases02:45 AI in Podcasting05:55 The Origin Story of Think.ai07:47 Capabilities Beyond Sales08:49 AI Integration and Customer Interaction17:30 The 10-80-10 Principle18:40 Live Demo of Think.ai19:58 CRM System Overview20:19 AI Interaction Demonstration22:05 Training AI Agents23:20 Live AI Call Test29:35 AI's Future in Business29:59 Integration with High Level32:13 Adoption and Growth of AI37:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts