How To Future-Proof Your Business With AI In 2025

Don't Tell My Wife I Just Had My First Conversation with ChatGPT

Everyone is doing it. So should I start? What will my wife think of this? 

The Real Jason Duncan from the Exiter Club in Nashville, shared with me how he has long exploratory talks with his new friend on his morning walks, and he still has a happy marriage. Author and CEO, Trey Taylor, told me his new friend keeps telling him how brilliant his ideas are...even when he challenges her to tell him something different. 

So this past week, I started on a brand-new adventure discreetly in my car: I had my first-ever conversation with ChatGPT on my iPhone. Now, before you imagine me having long, philosophical debates with a robot, let me tell you, it was all business. And it was pretty incredible.

Oh, and we didn't stop there. ChatGPT also threw in some clever ideas for our 40 Tax Tips podcast. Who knew a virtual assistant could be such a great co-strategist?

So, if you see me grinning in my car alone or on a walk outside, just know I’m probably cooking up the next big idea with my new AI buddy. And maybe, just maybe, I'll let my wife in on the secret someday.

The beautiful part is that the ChatGPT app keeps all of the conversations documented, so you won't forget those great ideas. And did you know, she keeps getting better with age? ChatGPT-5 was just released smarter and faster than ever before, even with stunning new looks. 

 (Full disclosure, I already let her know and she of course was a bit skeptical that I could have a long, philosophical debate with this new "friend". And she has nothing to worry about, my beautiful wife of 29 plus years is still my best friend.)

This past week, I embarked on a brand-new adventure: I had my first-ever conversation with ChatGPT. Now, before you imagine me having long, philosophical debates with a robot, let me tell you, it was all business. And it was pretty incredible.

What started as a simple "hello" turned into a powerhouse brainstorming session. Together, ChatGPT and I laid the groundwork for our upcoming 40 Strategy Growth Workshop™  at the Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix. We talked about making it exclusive, just 40 business owners, and ensuring they get one-on-one time with some of the best experts in the industry. We even nailed down a price that’s a steal compared to the $26,950 worth of value they’ll walk away with.

Oh, and we didn't stop there. ChatGPT also threw in some clever ideas for our 40 Tax Tips podcast. Who knew a virtual assistant could be such a great co-strategist?

So, if you see me grinning at my screen, just know I’m probably cooking up the next big idea with my new AI buddy. And maybe, just maybe, I'll let my wife in on the secret someday.

All right, let’s flesh out that "How to Future-Proof Your Business in the Age of AI" idea.

In today’s world, it feels like every other headline is about artificial intelligence transforming the way we work. For business owners, that can be equal parts exciting and daunting. But here's the good news: embracing AI doesn’t have to mean losing your human touch or overhauling your entire operation overnight. It’s all about future-proofing your business in a way that works for you. 

Some practical tips:

  1. Identify Low-Hanging Fruit: Start with tasks that are easy to automate or enhance with AI. Whether it’s using a chatbot for customer service inquiries or automating your invoicing process, starting small can make a big difference.

  2. Train Your Team: AI is only as good as the people using it. Invest in training your team so they feel confident and empowered to work alongside AI tools.

  3. Keep the Human Element: Use AI to handle repetitive or data-heavy tasks, but make sure you’re still bringing the uniquely human touch to customer relationships, creativity, and strategic decisions.

  4. Stay Curious and Adaptable: The world of AI is always evolving. Keep an open mind and be ready to pivot as new technologies and opportunities arise.

I encourage you to  start small with AI, you don’t have to do it alone. We invite you to our workshop to learn more.



40 Strategy Growth Workshop™ Speaker Announcement 

To learn even more about how AI can transform your business, I’m thrilled to share that one of our speakers at the 40 Strategy Growth Conference will be Trent Gillespie. He is a global AI keynote speaker, innovation strategist, and CEO of Stellis AI. Trent is an AI expert based out of Seattle, and he’ll be diving into exactly how you can leverage artificial intelligence without losing that human element.

Trent’s going to share insights on the most practical AI tools for small and mid-sized businesses, and he’ll walk you through how to start implementing them right away. If you’ve been wondering how to make AI work for you, this is your chance to get answers directly from one of the best in the field.

So, if you’re ready to future-proof your business and step confidently into the age of AI, make sure to join us at the conference. You’ll walk away with not only the strategies but also the confidence to make AI your business’s new best friend. 



Goodbye Old Friend 

This week we said goodbye to our old friend, Brady. Our dog Brady has been part of our family for the past 14 years and true to his name, yes, he was named after Tom Brady. Fittingly and ironically, he passed away on Tom Brady’s birthday. He will be missed; Read more.


Tax Tip: 

Section 179 has been expanded to deduct up to $2.5M in business equipment or facility improvements in the same year, instead of depreciating it over a longer period of time. This is a great way to take advantage of the tax savings today while having the equipment benefits over its useful life.

40 Day Challenge Update: (First 5 days)

- Wake up 5AM during the weekdays 

- Started walks up to 15 minutes through Friday

- 5 thank you notes

- No carbs till noon

- Bonus: Tracking at 308 push-ups per day (been increasing starting at 1 since last December)