what made me go all into chatbots & AI back in 2019
Education
What Made Me Go All In on Chatbots & AI Back in 2019
Introduction
In a recent podcast, I had the pleasure of discussing my journey from starting out solo in 2019 to now running a thriving business with the ability to hire whomever I want. The evolution of my venture has been a ride of persistence, strategic opportunities, and, interestingly enough, a little gut feeling. I believe my success is rooted in my early experiences and love for chatbots, as well as an early recognition of artificial intelligence (AI) potential in business.
The Early Days
Back in 2016-2018, I was running an online fitness business and started dabbling in chatbots. I loved the technology and the potential it held for various applications. These experiences were instrumental in shaping my career direction.
When 2019 came around, I knew I wanted to delve into a business model that had the potential to scale while being intellectually fulfilling. Chatbots seemed a natural fit. My past experiences had already laid the groundwork, and I felt a strong affinity for the technology.
Seeing the Future
In 2020, I noticed an opportunity that could leverage AI in chatbots. Although AI was not mainstream and businesses were unprepared for it, I was convinced of its future potential. I started experimenting with AI chatbots, despite facing scepticism and confusion from business prospects who didn't know what AI was.
Building the Business
The groundwork over the years culminated in rapid expansion. What started as a one-person show in 2019 soon grew into a small team of two. Together, we navigated the intricacies of implementing chatbot and AI solutions for clients.
The success of our initial projects afforded us the capital and confidence to continue expanding. Today, our operation has grown to the point where we have the resources to hire the best talent and scale effectively.
Conclusion
From my initial foray into chatbots to recognising the untapped potential of AI, the journey has been about vision and persistence. Chatbots and AI weren't just a trend but a strategic choice that aligned with my interests and market potential.
Keywords
- Chatbots
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Business Scaling
- Online Fitness Business
- Early AI Adoption
- Team Expansion
FAQ
Q1: What inspired you to start with chatbots?
A1: I started with chatbots while running my online fitness business between 2016-2018. I found the technology fascinating and saw immense potential in its applications.
Q2: Why did you decide to focus on AI in 2020?
A2: I saw AI as the future of chatbots and began experimenting with it, despite businesses being unprepared for such technology at the time. It was a strategic move based on the potential I saw.
Q3: How did you manage to grow your business?
A3: Starting solo in 2019, I built the business gradually. Initial successes helped in expanding the team and resources. By 2020, we had the confidence and capital to hire the best talent and scale further.
Q4: What challenges did you face initially with AI?
A4: One major challenge was the lack of awareness among businesses about AI's potential. Many prospects were sceptical and unsure what AI was or how it could benefit them.
Q5: How has your business evolved since 2019?
A5: From a solo operation, it grew into a small team and now a larger operation capable of hiring specialized talent. This has enabled us to take on bigger projects and continue scaling.
Q6: What makes chatbots and AI particularly appealing to you?
A6: Both technologies are intellectually stimulating and have high market potential. They provide scalable solutions to businesses, aligning with my passion and strategic vision.