In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, JL Heather and Preston Chandler chat with Rob Riggs, a seasoned marketing technology strategist with over two decades of experience helping businesses grow smarter through AI and automation. Rob shares his unique journey from working at a small clothing manufacturer to founding his own tech-forward companies, where he focuses on optimizing business processes for both startups and enterprises.

The conversation explores some of the biggest misconceptions about AI—what’s hype versus what’s actually useful. Rob emphasizes that while AI is a powerful tool, relying on it too heavily without human context can create new challenges. Instead, he advocates for human-centered automation, where AI supports, not replaces, thoughtful business strategy.

A major highlight is Rob’s explanation of “AI personas”—virtual team members designed to handle specialized tasks like lead generation, reporting, and customer engagement. He walks through practical ways small businesses can implement these tools to compete with larger players, without massive budgets or teams.

Rob also shares real-world use cases for AI, from automating simple workflows like appointment scheduling and follow-ups to more innovative applications like virtual companions that address loneliness, or AI coaches that encourage personal growth.

Key Lessons Covered in This Episode: 

AI as a Business Ally: Learn how AI can be used to assist—rather than replace—your team’s efforts.

Avoiding Automation Pitfalls: Rob explains the danger of over- or under-automating business tasks and how to find the right balance.

Small Business, Big Impact: Discover how small businesses can punch above their weight by using affordable AI-driven tools strategically.

Start Simple: Begin with automating tasks that already work well to save time and free up human talent for higher-value work.

AI-Driven Growth: Rob envisions a future where AI unlocks endless opportunities for marketing innovation and operational efficiency.

Key Takeaways:

✅ AI is a tool to enhance not replace human creativity and judgment.

✅ Smart automation is about balance: not too much, not too little.

✅ “AI personas” can help small businesses scale smarter.

✅ Begin your AI journey by automating proven, repetitive tasks.

✅ The future of AI in business is bright and it’s already here.

Links And Resources:

• Rob Riggs on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robriggs
• Websites: codeconspirators.com/ (Company)robriggs.com (Personal) savify.co (Company)

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