If you’ve been paying attention to the AI space at all this week, you’ve probably seen some huge news:
The entire industry has been upended by a tool called DeepSeek.
Basically, it’s an open-source model that runs locally, is as powerful as OpenAI’s most advanced models, and is completely free.
Game changer.
But not just for AI. This is a step toward the entire world changing.
And you need to be on top of it.
AI is replacing jobs. That’s undeniable.
But it’s also unlocking the ability for entrepreneurs to do more, create more, and build businesses faster than ever—with smaller teams.
The future of business isn’t big teams.
It’s you at the top, augmented by AI.
The key isn’t just automating tasks—it’s doing so without losing the soul of your business.
That’s the challenge most people get wrong.
They either resist automation entirely or outsource everything and lose the personal touch that makes their brand unique.
But there’s a better way.
In this letter, I’ll show you a few key ways I’m using AI to run and scale my business while keeping my soul in the work:
Content is the backbone of my business.
But creating across multiple platforms (and multiple formats within those platforms) is time-consuming.
So most people don’t do it.
OR they outsource or automate it so much that the end result is garbage.
Instead here’s what I do:
Most people think AI-generated content is robotic and soulless.
And a lot of it is—when people rely on it too much.
But I use AI as an assistant, not a replacement.
The ideas still come from me.
The stories are still mine.
The AI just accelerates the process so I can produce at a level that would normally take a full content team.
The result?
More content, higher quality, and zero generic AI fluff.
I’m still the creator. But AI does the heavy lifting.
Running a business means constantly refining what works and eliminating what doesn’t.
But how do you get real feedback without spending hours analyzing every detail?
Most businesses’ growth is slow because of this.
So here’s what I do.
I record and transcribe every Zoom call using a tool called Grain.
(P.S. if you want to try it, use code ERICTHAYNE for 10% off)
That includes:
Now I could rewatch hours and hours of content and try to figure what I could do better (or pay somebody a ton of money to do it for me).
But instead I just ask the AI (built into Grain).
It’s like having a personal business analyst working 24/7.For example, here are a few prompts you might use:
This allows me to make rapid adjustments and improve every interaction—without having to manually sift through hours of footage and notes.
Most people are flying blind when it comes to improving their business.
I prefer to have real data guiding my decisions.
Business success starts with personal success.
There’s no way around it.
If you think about it, you are the owner of your business.
And your physical and mental health absolutely affects your business’ growth.
And yeah, you guessed it, I use AI to optimize that too.
Here’s what I did.
Once again, I built a custom GPT that knows my:
I can ask it how to align my decisions with my energy, how to handle tough parenting moments, or what to focus on for my mental and physical health.For example:
This isn’t just about business efficiency. It’s about living better.When you optimize your life, everything else becomes easier.
Your creativity improves.Your decision-making becomes sharper.
You have more energy to tackle big goals.
Most entrepreneurs overlook this step, but it’s one of the most impactful ways to scale your business without burning out.
Yes, setting these systems up takes time.
But that investment pays off exponentially in productivity, clarity, and impact.
Most people will ignore this and keep grinding the hard way.
But the ones who embrace it will build massive leverage.
And here’s the thing—AI isn’t the future anymore. It’s the present.
If you’re not using it, you’re falling behind.
So if you want to truly create at the highest level, use these tools to maximize your output and your impact.
Did you like this letter? Shoot me a reply and let me know your biggest takeaway.
And if you’re a business owner who wants scale their audience and revenue online with simple systems…
I’m opening a few slots on my calendar to meet one-on-one with people.
Here’s the link to apply for a spot.
Let’s crush it together.
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…and you’re ready to take your brand, your content, and your business to the next level, here’s a few ways I can help you:
1. Join my free Skool community - and get free content, trainings, industry updates, and network with other amazing creators.
2. Join my free workshop to learn how to build your content production system and send a flow of leads to your business.
3. Book a free strategy session - I’m opening a few slots on my calendar to meet with serious entrepreneurs who want to grow their audience and their business. I’ll look at what you’ve got going on and help you develop a winning strategy.