OwnerRX Podcast with Alan Pentz

Legacy SaaS vendors are raising prices, blocking your data, and adding useless AI features on top of outdated systems. In this episode, Alan Pentz and Tonya Berenson uncover what's really happening in the SaaS market—and why the next generation of AI-native tools will completely transform CRMs, ERPs, and business operations.You’ll learn how companies like Slack and Salesforce are restricting data access, why “AI-washed” software slows down real adoption, and what business owners should do before signing another long-term contract. Alan also explains what agentic systems are and how they will automate deal tracking, communication, and workflows across your entire company.Perfect for founders, small business owners, and operators navigating the future of AI + business software.

What if documents, spreadsheets, and apps disappear—and are replaced by a single conversational interface? In this episode, Alan Pentz and Tonya Berenson unpack how Claude Code, vector databases, and MCP are redefining how companies work.They discuss why “everyone becomes a programmer,” how AI agents automate workflows end-to-end, and what the shift from files to databases means for the future of operations. A clear roadmap for founders and operators preparing for the AI-native enterprise.

What if your company’s most valuable data is hidden in your meetings?Alan Pentz and Tonya Berenson discuss how small businesses can unlock “dark data” and use AI agents to automate work, boost productivity, and finally compete with big companies.You’ll learn why AI isn’t helping most small businesses yet, how to organize your data for automation, and why the future of work means everyone becomes a programmer.Perfect for founders, executives, and team leaders exploring how AI can actually drive growth.#AI #Automation #BusinessGrowth #OwnerRx #SmallBusiness #AlanPentz #TonyaBerenson

Outbound is dying. AI is flooding the internet with noise. What’s next?Alan Pentz and Tonya Berenson explore The Creator Advantage — how building community and owning your audience is the future of small business growth.They discuss why outbound marketing is losing power, what “AI slop” really means, and how small business owners can turn overlooked opportunities — “gold lying on the ground” — into real growth.Perfect for founders, marketers, and creators who want to stay ahead in the AI era.#AI #SmallBusiness #TheCreatorEconomy #Marketing #OwnerRX

In this solo episode, Alan Pentz unpacks the rise of AI agents and the new token-based economy reshaping how businesses measure success.He explains how platforms like Microsoft Copilot, Google Workspace, ChatGPT, and Anthropic are creating ecosystems where automation runs on tokens — and why leaders will soon manage agents instead of people.Alan introduces the Token Efficiency Ratio (TER), a next-generation metric that tracks value created per dollar spent on AI tokens — a shift that could redefine productivity and profitability.Perfect for business owners and executives preparing for the AI-driven future of work.Learn more at OwnerRx.com

Google Ads are losing power, and AI is taking over. In this episode, Alan Pentz and Tonya Berenson break down how automation is reshaping digital marketing: from the decline of PPC and the rise of Google’s Performance Max, to the emergence of Answer Engine Optimization (AEO/GEO) and AI-driven cold outreach.Learn why the future of marketing depends on community, owned channels, and creator thinking, and how to adapt before the algorithms decide for you.Highlights:• Why PPC and Meta ads are collapsing• The truth about Google’s Performance Max• How to optimize for ChatGPT & AI answers• Using Instantly + Clay for smart outbound• Building your own audience is the only way forwardPerfect for founders, marketers, and growth leaders navigating the AI era.#AI #Marketing #Automation #OwnerRX #AlanPentz

What happens when AI stops being optional and starts wiping out entire industries?Alan Pentz sits down with Tonya Berenson to discuss the hard truth about AI adoption: why most companies are moving too slowly, how AI agents are already replacing teams, and what this means for business owners facing disruption.Key Insights:• Real business use cases for AI beyond “playing around”• How agents can automate coaching, marketing, and analysis• The concept of “antagonist agents” that check other agents’ work• Why marketing agencies may be the first casualties of AI• The human and emotional barriers to making tough efficiency decisions• How Private Equity and young disruptors will use AI to outcompete incumbents

What happens when AI, generative search, and rising ad costs collide with the way small businesses market themselves? In this episode, Alan Pentz speaks with Andy Janaitis, Founder of PPC Pitbulls, about the new rules of digital marketing, the future of Google and Meta ads, and why SEO as we know it may be coming to an end.Key Insights:• Why Google Ads aren’t disappearing, even as AI reshapes search• The rise of GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) and what it means for SEO• Google vs Meta: which ad platform really drives better ROI• How automation is changing ad buying and the role of agencies• Why understanding ROAS, CAC, and LTV is essential before scaling ad spend• The hidden advantage of structured, authentic content in the LLM eraAndy shares hard-earned lessons from running a boutique ad agency, explains the traps small businesses fall into when spending on ads, and reveals why strategy—not tactics—will define the winners in the new marketing game.Perfect for founders scaling past $3–5M, entrepreneurs questioning their SEO strategy, and leaders who want to understand how AI is changing marketing forever.

What happens when a surgeon trades the operating room for the boardroom—and buys three companies in 10 days?In this episode, Alan Pentz speaks with Alan Kaplan, Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer of Alleviate Care, about his journey from practicing medicine to building a healthcare platform through entrepreneurship by acquisition.Kaplan shares candid stories—from acquiring three hospice businesses in 10 days, to turning regulation into a competitive moat, to differentiating in a “commodity” market with storytelling and brand. He also explains how his team balances debt, compliance, and growth without VC funding, while experimenting with both acquisitions and organic expansion.This conversation is packed with insights for professional service firm owners in the $1–4M range who are exploring acquisitions, operating in regulated markets, or looking for ways to stand out when everyone seems to offer the same thing.You’ll learn:Why regulation can be an advantage, not just a barrierHow to grow in slow-moving industries with acquisitions and brand strategyThe power of basic competence and credibility in building trustLessons on scaling services businesses with limited capital

As part of our re-release series, we are revisiting an important episode of Small Business Black Holes featuring Professor Matthew Green, a political science scholar at Catholic University and an expert on congressional leadership.In this wide-ranging discussion, Alan and Professor Green:Trace the evolution of Congress since the 1990s, with a focus on intensifying polarization and partisan divisionExamine how leadership dynamics have shifted, particularly as social media fuels attention-seeking over legislative effectivenessAssess the challenges facing House Speaker Mike Johnson, including the difficulty of governing with a narrow majority and the looming threat of shutdownsDraw historical comparisons to past eras of volatility, such as the late 19th century and the Wilson administrationExplore the influence of Donald Trump and the MAGA movement on the Republican Party and the transformation of the Freedom CaucusRevisit the constitutional debate over presidential impoundment powers and their contemporary significanceAnalyze how congressional factions respond to economic and policy pressures, from tariffs to farm subsidiesThis re-release provides not only historical and theoretical depth but also enduring insights into the tensions at the heart of American governance. It highlights the forces that continue to shape Congress today and underscores the precarious balance between partisanship, institutional power, and democratic responsibility.Highlights:[04:38] Understanding Incentive Structures in Organizations[20:43] Strategic Candidate Selection and Team Building [29:22] Navigating Limited Options Under Constraints[38:09] Managing Through Volatility and Uncertainty Episode Resources:Alan Pentz LinkedInMatthew Green ProfileThe Small Business Black Holes Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at fame.so Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Defining and Tracking Outputs: The Key to Employee Performance with John SeifferSmall Business Strategies and Market Dynamics with Jon Matzner, President at Lazy LeverageFranchising: The Best Business Model with Brian Beers