House of JerMar

Harnessing AI: A Small Business Owner's Guide


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Jackie Green, founder of Behind the Design, takes us on a fascinating discussion through the intersection of interior design, entrepreneurship, and the transformative power of AI for small businesses.

Jackie's background uniquely positions her as a guide for creative entrepreneurs – with degrees in both journalism/marketing and interior design, plus experience teaching at design school, she discovered a critical gap in business education for designers. This realization sparked her company's mission: helping design professionals build successful businesses through strategic marketing and now, AI implementation.

What makes Jackie's approach refreshingly practical is her decision-making framework. She evaluates every business opportunity through three lenses: revenue generation, visibility, and client work. This system allows entrepreneurs to filter their constant stream of "brilliant ideas" against established priorities rather than chasing every shiny object.

The heart of our conversation explores how AI is revolutionizing small business operations. Jackie candidly shares her initial "cheater's guilt" when using AI tools, before recognizing them as productivity multipliers. From QuickBooks AI auto-populating invoices to Otter AI handling meeting notes and follow-ups, these tools don't replace human creativity – they enhance it by freeing entrepreneurs from administrative burdens.

We also tackle the vulnerabilities of social media marketing. When Jackie's business got hacked on Facebook, resulting in the complete loss of her company page, group, and personal profile, it highlighted why email marketing remains the true "gold mine" for small businesses. Unlike social platforms, your email list is an asset you actually own.

For interior designers specifically, Jackie offers invaluable insights on creating lead magnets that address client pain points (like surviving a kitchen renovation) without falling into the scarcity mindset trap. As she brilliantly illustrates with the story of a plumber whose tutorial videos actually grew his business: sharing knowledge doesn't diminish your value – it establishes expertise and builds trust.

Learn more about Jackie below.

Jackie's Book Recommendation for Listeners: Worthy by Jamie Kern Lima

Jacqueline Green is the driving force behind Behind the Design, a strategic marketing partner for businesses in the design, construction, and real estate investment sectors. As a seasoned commercial interior designer, former college instructor, and highly experienced marketing expert, Jacqueline and her team deliver strategic marketing solutions that drive substantial growth, bolster brand credibility, and achieve superior business outcomes.

www.behindthedesignco.com

Linked In: jacquelinereed
YouTube: @BehindtheDesignCo
Instagram: behindthedesignco

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House of JerMarBy Jeanne Collins