Dear entrepreneurs, AI won’t save your business

Lately, I’ve been lucky enough to spend time with some local entrepreneurs. We met randomly at various events or when I visited their venue to buy something. I like spending time in tea houses or coffee shops and enjoy some good matcha latte.

One day, I entered one of the coffee shops I’m usually going to and I saw there were more people than usual. I wanted to work a bit and was wondering if I could focus, considering the loud background noise.

I see the owner, say hi, and ask him why he isn’t organizing any events there. His response was “I thought about it but I don’t know what kinds of events I should have here”. Right after that, he asked me if organizing events is one of my things.

I’ve organized a few events in the past (mostly personal development workshops), so I said that I can help.

We kept chatting and, soon enough, I realized something. That coffee shop was just another coffee shop. No identity, no branding, no story. There was nothing about it that would invite potential customers to get a coffee. The vibe of the place is very cool, but that’s it…

Then I went online to check if there was anything about the place. No website and the social media profiles barely had any posts.

“It makes sense”, is what I told myself, thinking back to how the business owner didn’t know what kinds of events were suitable for his coffee shop.

Eventually, I went back home and started thinking about some events that could make sense in that coffee place. And that process felt very… strange. It felt like I was trying to poke at a bee’s nest with a stick and see what happens. While also being in a completely dark room and not knowing there’s a bee nest.

Later that week, I had two different event ideas ready.

When I met with the business owner, I told him “I have two events for you and we’ll see which one you like. But first, the bad news.”

After that, I shared with him what I noticed. I told him how the coffee place lacks identity and, before organizing any event, we should focus on that.

Little by little, we started building the identity.

First, I started with the business owner, his values, and personality. Since this is a small business and the owner is the only person in charge, his values and personality are reflected in the coffee shop.

Next, we gathered information from almost everyone who was buying something. We did that anonymously, through a printed form. It took us 2 weeks to have over 200 forms filled out. As a result, we created a few profiles of the real customers of the business.

And then, on top of that, we created a specific event that people actually enjoyed.

But most entrepreneurs don’t do that.

Most entrepreneurs nowadays just build an event (or any kind of service) with the help of AI.

“Hey ChatGPT. I own a coffee shop and I want more clients. Help me with a strategy to bring in more clients.”

With this approach, ChatGPT will give you the same strategy it gives to any other business owner who types the same prompt.

Just imagine a town where all the coffee shops have the same marketing message, colors, headlines, calls to action, and unique selling propositions.

You’ll eventually stop drinking coffee because you’ll get sick of the same marketing message: “Come taste our coffee. It’s great, fresh, and delicious. Our coffee is one of a kind.”

Yeah right… Your coffee is not special. But the way you make me feel when I drink coffee… that could be something special.

So, instead of using general prompts that anyone else could use, start from who you are, what you know, and what you have.

“Hey ChatGPT. I’m the business owner of a coffee shop and I value equality, inner harmony, and peace. I’m a visionary leader and charismatic person. My customers are usually freelancers or remote workers who enjoy the coffee made with Nepal Himalayan Beans. My loyal customers visit the coffee place 2-3 times a week and drink 2 coffees every time they visit, on average. Help me with a strategy to bring in more customers.”

I assure you that this prompt will give you better results. You will have a strategy that is closer to what you actually need and will have something personalized to work with.

But most entrepreneurs don’t do it.

AI won’t save your business if you don’t know who you are

Most entrepreneurs just open a coffee shop and sit around, waiting for customers to come in.

AI won’t save your business … as long as you don’t know anything about your business and yourself.

AI can be a very powerful tool in the hands of those who are already authentic and know themselves.

So… maybe AI is not that bad after all.

Maybe, because of AI, we are forced to have a more meaningful and profound introspection. Focus on that.

First, understand yourself better. Then use AI to build whatever you want to build and drive the engagement you need for your business.

With love and optimism,
David