Scott Duffy's AI Insights: Tools for Small Business Growth

The Future of AI in Business: A Conversation with Scott Duffy And Nick D

Nick D: Hey everyone, welcome back to another episode of the Brotherhood Podcast. We’re on episode 29, and today I’ve got my good friend and AI expert, Scott Duffy. Quick backstory on how we met—one of the coolest events ever with our buddy Randy Garn at Yankee Stadium. Scott, you brought us in to meet Brian Cashman, the Yankees' GM, and I met so many incredible people there. That was my first real introduction to you, and since then, man, it's been a wild ride. You’ve done some insane things—selling your company to Richard Branson, being named one of Entrepreneur’s top 10 speakers in the world. You’re connected, man. I went to your AI Mavericks seminar a couple of months ago, and it blew my mind. So, let’s dive right in, brother—what’s AI Mavericks all about?

Scott Duffy: First off, thanks Nick. Man, I love connecting with good people like you through mutual friends like Randy Garn. The Yankees event was amazing, and yeah, that AI Mavericks seminar in Utah? It’s something I’m super passionate about. We’re at a crazy time with AI right now, where businesses need to either get on board or get left behind. But here’s the thing—it’s not as complicated as people think. AI is a tool, right? And tools are meant to solve problems, not create more of them.

So let’s get into it. AI Mavericks started because, back in 2022, I saw a massive shift coming. I’d been studying AI for a while—this was before ChatGPT took the world by storm. I was looking at GPT-2 at the time, and I thought, "How can we take this technology and apply it to real businesses to make a difference?" So I built AI Mavericks as a way to simplify AI and make it accessible to founders, CEOs, and leadership teams who are looking to innovate but don’t know where to start.

Why AI Is Your Best Employee

The biggest thing I see with business owners, especially in the small to mid-sized space, is they’re stuck between the fear of missing out and the fear of jumping in. AI seems intimidating, but it doesn't need to be. Let me give you an example. We created this AI system for businesses that could read all of your favorite content—whether it’s books, blogs, or industry news—and automatically summarize it into a newsletter. Every Tuesday, I get an AI-generated newsletter that pulls the most important updates from the past week, written in a way that’s easy for leaders to digest. I don't even have to touch it. It takes me less than three minutes to review and approve.

And this isn’t some futuristic tech. This is happening right now. Imagine what that can do for a business owner who’s already stretched thin. AI becomes your best employee—one that works 24/7, never takes breaks, and can handle the monotonous stuff you don’t want to deal with, like summarizing data or writing emails.

Why Gym Owners and Small Business Owners Should Care About AI

Nick, you’ve got a ton of gym owners and martial arts school owners listening to this podcast. You’re probably wondering, “How the hell is AI going to help me?” The truth is, AI can absolutely transform your business. Whether it’s writing copy for your marketing emails, creating Facebook ads, or even helping you manage customer leads, AI is a tool that will optimize and accelerate every aspect of your business.

Let’s talk about practical tools. One thing I love is Daily AI, a company that automates emails and newsletters. You give them your target audience, topics you want to cover, and the sources you read, and the AI takes care of the rest. Every week, I get a full email, prepped and ready to send to my list. And the crazy part? The AI learns what each person on the list is interested in. So if John Doe clicks on an article about leadership, the AI will prioritize sending him leadership content next week. It personalizes the experience for each reader, making your business feel more connected with your audience.

Another killer app I use is Podcast Launchpad. I was getting tired of reading every AI newsletter and blog out there, so I had this tool summarize everything into a 5-minute podcast. Now, I listen to my daily AI updates while shaving. It’s efficient as hell, and I don’t even need to lift a finger to create this content—it’s all automated.

The Best AI Tools for Small Businesses

For gym owners, coaches, and school operators, AI can help with your lead generation, customer management, and marketing.

Here are some tools I recommend:

ChatGPT – This is the obvious one. You can use ChatGPT for everything from writing Facebook ads to drafting your sales emails.
Daily.Ai – Automates newsletters and emails, customized for your target audience.
Transcript.LOL – Summarizes recordings into a podcast format, and also creates multiple pieces of content like a blog, an email newsletter, it extracts quotes and more, saving you time creating content.
Sales.ai – This tool acts like the best salesperson you’ve ever had. It responds to leads, qualifies them, and even books appointments. And the best part? It feels like you’re talking to a real human.
Delphi.ai – I worked with this team to create a digital clone of myself that can answer questions based on my books, articles, and videos. It’s like having a virtual Scott Duffy who can help you 24/7.
Tidio - A customer communication platform that integrates live chat, chatbots, and email automation to help businesses engage with their customers, automate responses, and improve customer support. It’s particularly useful & use more for eCommerce businesses looking to streamline communication and enhance user experience.
Blogify - an AI-powered platform that automatically converts video and audio content, web links, product links, documents, phrase and more into huge blogs, making content creation easier and faster. It’s perfect for people looking to scale up their blogging efforts without spending hours writing. The tool helps you repurpose your podcasts, interviews, and videos into high-quality blog posts, fully optimized for SEO.

If you’re running a gym or martial arts school, imagine an AI tool that handles your inbound leads, answers customer questions, and even schedules consultations. That’s the future. You’re going to be able to free up so much time, allowing you to focus on what really matters—building relationships with your members.

AI Isn’t the Future—It’s the Present

The thing is, AI has been around for nearly 70 years. It’s not new. What’s new is how accessible it is now, thanks to tools like ChatGPT. In the 90s, when the internet was starting to boom, small businesses were hesitant. I remember writing a business plan for Yahoo when they had just 10 employees. Back then, it was impossible to convince small businesses to get online. Today, the same thing is happening with AI. But in the next 18-24 months, every small business is going to need AI to stay competitive, just like how everyone needed a website back in the day.

If you feel like you’re behind the curve, trust me—you’re not. AI is still in its early stages for small businesses. But those who start using it now will be lightyears ahead when the rest of the world catches on.

How AI Will Change the Way You Communicate with Clients

I get asked a lot, “Will using AI make my business feel less personal?” The short answer is no. AI isn’t replacing you; it’s enhancing your ability to serve your clients. For example, you can use AI to write an email, but you can still input your tone, your voice. You can literally tell the AI to “make this sound more personal,” and it will adjust based on your style.

If you run a martial arts school or gym, imagine having AI write all your weekly communications—your marketing emails, event reminders, follow-ups. Now you’re not bogged down by the mundane tasks, and you have more time to interact with your members in person, which is where the real magic happens.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Here’s the deal. AI is moving at a breakneck pace. Elon Musk, for example, is developing AI systems that are learning faster than ever before. His new project took just 7 days to surpass some of the capabilities that took ChatGPT seven years to develop. The technology is only getting better and more powerful. Microsoft is opening a new data center every three days just to keep up with the AI demand. In a few years, these systems will require insane amounts of energy to keep them running.

But that doesn’t mean you need to get overwhelmed. Start small. If you’re a gym owner, try using ChatGPT to write your next email. Or test out an AI tool for scheduling your clients. Little by little, you’ll start to see the impact AI can have on your business. And by the time everyone else is scrambling to catch up, you’ll already be miles ahead.

Nick D: Scott, this has been awesome, man. You’ve given our listeners so much to think about. To everyone listening, make sure you tune in next week—we’re bringing on Dara Ladjevardian from Delphi.ai to dive even deeper into how AI is shaping the future of business. Scott, thanks again for dropping so much value today.

AI Is the Competitive Edge You Need

If you’re not using AI yet, start now. As Scott mentioned, the businesses that begin integrating AI today will be far ahead when the technology becomes a necessity. Whether it’s automating your newsletters, handling customer inquiries, or creating marketing campaigns, AI is the tool that can take your business to the next level. The future is already here—it's time to embrace it.

Questions and Answers With Scott Duffy

Weren’t you voted by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the top 10 speakers in the world?

Yeah, I was fortunate enough to make that list for entrepreneurship and business training. It was an exciting moment, but honestly, I’m just grateful for the journey and the opportunities that led me there. It's humbling, but the goal is always to keep pushing forward and providing value.

You sold your company to Richard Branson, right?

Yeah, I sold my company to Virgin, part of Richard Branson's group. It was a surreal experience, honestly. Getting to work with Virgin and Branson’s team was incredible, and it opened a lot of doors. But again, that was just a chapter, and there’s always something bigger ahead to work on.

Does AI even apply to gym owners or school owners?

Absolutely, it does. Think of AI as a tool that helps you solve problems and optimize different areas of your business. If you’re running a gym or a school, AI can help you manage customer interactions, create better marketing copy, and even streamline scheduling. It’s not about replacing people; it’s about freeing up your time so you can focus on the stuff that really matters.

What are the top five AI tools people should check out, besides ChatGPT?

Besides ChatGPT, here’s what I recommend:

Daily.Ai – Automates newsletters and emails.
Transcript.LOL – Summarizes news into a quick daily podcast.
Sales.ai – Manages inbound leads and acts like a top salesperson.
Delphi.ai – Allows you to create a digital clone of yourself to handle customer questions.
MidJourney – For those in creative industries, it generates stunning images from text prompts.

These tools will save time, streamline processes, and make life a lot easier for business owners.

If someone wants to cancel a service or has an issue, how can I use AI to respond without sounding harsh?

That’s where AI like ChatGPT shines. You can type in your raw response, and then ask the AI to make it sound more appreciative or empathetic. It’ll take your message and reframe it in a way that keeps things professional and positive. I use it for tricky situations all the time, especially when I need to turn a frustrated customer into a happy one.

Will using AI make my business feel impersonal?

Not at all, unless you let it. The trick with AI is in how you instruct it. You can tell it, “Make this personal” or “Add a warm tone,” and it will adjust accordingly. In fact, AI can actually make your business more connected because it frees up time for you to engage with people in ways that matter. You’re not losing the personal touch; you’re enhancing it.

Can Ai really help a small business stay connected with customers?

100%. Let me give you an example. I work with Daily Ai—they automate my newsletters. I tell them what topics I want, who my audience is, and they handle the rest. It saves me a ton of time, and the AI even learns what my readers are interested in, so the next week’s newsletter is even more targeted. It’s practical, and it works for small businesses just as well as for big ones.

Who were some of the key people at your event?

We had some big names at my event in August. Gary Fowler, who’s invested in over 240 AI companies, was there. Barclay Burns, who’s on the board of Utah’s State Venture Fund and is working on the largest AI innovation center in the U.S., also joined us. We had Anthony Batt, who named Craigslist and built a company to 100 million active users. These are some serious innovators, all pushing AI forward.

How do I raise capital for my business?

Raising capital is about understanding what your investors want. You need to align your pitch with their interests. Do your research—figure out which industries they like to invest in and what stage of growth they focus on. Then, show them how your business fits into their goals. Make it easy for them to see the opportunity in front of them.

What do I need to know to get started with AI?

Start by asking ChatGPT, “What are the three most important things I need to know as a business owner about AI?” It will walk you through it. Just dive in. You don’t need to be an expert to start; you just need to be curious and willing to experiment. AI will surprise you with how easy it is to start using once you take that first step.

Can AI help me create better ads for my business?

Oh, absolutely. You can literally type in something like, “Create an ad for a karate school targeting parents of nine-year-olds,” and AI will give you a fully fleshed-out ad, complete with headlines and a call to action. I used to pay copywriters for that kind of work, and now I get it done instantly with AI. It’s a game-changer for marketing.

Is Ai really as powerful as it’s hyped up to be?

Yes, and it’s only getting more powerful. AI has been around for decades, but it’s now accessible in ways it never was before. Think about it like this—Elon Musk built an AI system that surpassed ChatGPT in seven days. The speed at which this technology is growing is mind-blowing, and businesses that adopt it early will be miles ahead of their competitors.

How is Ai like ChatGPT going to change the future of small business?

AI is the competitive edge small businesses need. It automates repetitive tasks, improves customer engagement, and gives you the ability to scale without adding more people. We’re still early in the adoption curve, but in 18 to 24 months, small businesses that embrace AI now will be way ahead. You don’t have to wait for the future—AI is here to help your business grow today.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

You Are Your Own Media Company: The Wake-Up Call Every Entrepreneur Needs

By Nick Dougherty • April 21, 2025

Let me tell you a truth bomb that might just change your entire business trajectory: “The wake-up slap algorithm is not your enemy. Your silence is.” That one line says it all. In an era where attention is currency, the speaker behind this game-changing insight—a marketing and media strategist who’s partnered with some of the most influential entrepreneurs in the world—reveals exactly what it takes to stand out, grow fast, and stay relevant. This isn’t theory. It’s war-tested strategy. The Game Has Changed. Here's How to Win It. 1. You’re not just a brand. You’re a media company . Let that sink in. Your job isn’t to run ads and hope for a few likes. Your job is to show up every damn day with content that: Builds trust Builds identity Builds community The speaker’s been through the grind. He didn’t “go viral”—he built value . He didn't chase trends—he created a movement by leveraging three weapons: Consistent content creation Strategic partnerships Relentless differentiation “You don’t want to look, sound, or feel like anyone else. That’s the brand.” Be Different, Or Be Forgotten The worst thing you can be in business today is forgettable. “If your heart were set on building a real vibe , you’d be sickened by looking like everyone else.” Too many entrepreneurs copy. They blend. They water down their message. And they wonder why they get ignored. This speaker flipped that script. He built something bold. Raw. Personal. Because that’s what connects. And connection = currency. Collaborate with Killers Want to shortcut success? “Collaborate with killers. I don’t know if anyone’s doing it at the level I am.” This isn’t just about who you know—it’s about who you create with . Strategic partnerships amplify your message, fast-track your reach, and embed your brand in new audiences. He’s done it with names like Tony Robbins, Dean Graziosi, George Bryant, and Randy Garn. Why? Because alignment matters more than algorithms. Content Is the Frontline of Your Brand “You are your own media company and it’s just the scale or the level of where it is right now.” So, what’s the level you’re playing at? This isn’t optional. This is your new job description: Wake up Document Publish Repeat And don’t rely on organic growth alone. That’s amateur hour. You have to invest in attention, in strategy, in systems that scale. Stuck in the Same Place? That’s a Choice. Here’s the slap: “If you're stuck in the same environment, you need to invest your time and energy and fly out and hang out with me for a day. If you're not willing to get out of that environment, you're going to stay in it.” Translation: if you want to grow, get uncomfortable. Get in the room. Get around people who stretch you. Final Takeaways (The "Kicker Quotes" You Need to Tattoo on Your Brain) “It's like we all know that. But they don’t have a solution. I do.” “The wake-up slap algorithm is not your enemy. Your silence is.” “Collaborate with killers. It’s not cocky—it’s the truth.” What to Ask Yourself Next: Are you creating consistent, high-impact content—or just blending in? Who are you collaborating with that elevates your brand? What do people feel when they interact with your business? What environment are you stuck in—and are you brave enough to leave it?

Why Your Social Media Still Sucks (And How to Fix It in 90 Days or Less)

By Nick Dougherty • April 10, 2025

Let me get this out of the way… Your content doesn’t suck because you’re lazy. It sucks because no one ever gave you the damn blueprint. Until now. I’m Nick. I’m not a “guru,” and I’m not here to sell you some TikTok trend that dies in two weeks. I’m a marketing personal trainer for martial arts school owners — the real ones, the ones fighting every day to build something that matters. And I’m going to show you how to turn your broken content into a reality show that prints leads like clockwork. The Truth: You’re Not in the Martial Arts Business Anymore You’re in the attention business. And attention goes to the loudest, most consistent, most relatable brand in the room. Right now, there are little league coaches, youth pastors, and Zumba instructors outposting you… …because they’ve figured out something most martial arts schools haven’t: 🎥 Your content IS your perception. And your perception IS your business. If your social media looks like an afterthought… Your school feels like one too. The TV Show Framework That Changes Everything What if instead of random posts, you built a show ? Not fake. Not scripted. A raw, unfiltered, “this is what we stand for” kind of show. Here’s the formula I gave away in my recent training that had even Alex Hormozi , James Walker , and Boogie-Down Simpson saying: “This is the future.” Build Your Show: Daily themes. (So you’re never guessing what to post) Reels as commercials. (80/20 value-to-offer ratio) Instagram = Magazine cover. Make it clean. Stories = Behind the scenes. Make it human. Facebook = Your value vault. Email = Where you program their subconscious. AI = The assistant that never lets you down. This isn’t just strategy. This is how you create a movement around your brand . Final Thought (Read This Twice) Stop waiting for permission. There is no everybody. The schools that win from here on out will be the ones who show up bold , authentic , and relentless . You are the show. Now build it like you mean it.

THE ANTI-CANCEL PROCESS™ 2.0 "How to STOP Students from Quitting Cold… Even If They Already Said They’re Done"

By Nick Dougherty • March 31, 2025

Let me be brutally clear: People don’t cancel because they’re “busy.” They cancel because they forgot why it mattered. They lose the fire. They forget the fight. They drift — like sheep — back into the herd of mediocrity. And if you let that happen on your watch? You’re not running a martial arts school. You’re running a daycare with punching bags. But not anymore. Because today, I’m handing you the nuclear codes to flip the script on cancellation culture and install: ❌ THE UN-QUITTABLE CULTURE™ SYSTEM Not a pep talk. Not a strategy. A hardwired identity shift that makes quitting feel like betrayal. STEP 1: BECOME A MOVEMENT, NOT A MEMBERSHIP People don’t quit tribes. They quit gyms. They quit hobbies. But not tribes. 🔥 BUILD THE WALL OF THE COMEBACK. Student almost quit and stayed? Their name goes up. With pride. With a story. With proof. This wall becomes sacred. A symbol. A signal. You don’t abandon your tribe. You fight for it. STEP 2: THE INCEPTION SEED (DAY 1) Don’t say "Welcome." Say this: “Most students hit a wall around 30–60 days in. That’s normal. Life gets busy. Doubts creep in. But that’s the moment where everything changes — if you push through.” You’ve just future-proofed their commitment. You gave the pain meaning. They’ll remember this when the quitting voice shows up. STEP 3: THE MONTHLY LOOP Subject: "Do You Remember Why You Started?" "We do. And it’s working. Here’s what we’ve noticed: [Insert specific progress]." Attach a win. A photo. A quote from class. This triggers the original emotional WHY. Motivation fades. Vision sticks. STEP 4: THE DDS™ — DISAPPEARANCE DETECTION SYSTEM Two absences in a row? That’s DEFCON 1. Send this: "Hey [Name], I’m worried. Two missed classes usually means a slump is starting. Can I call you for 2 minutes today to help get you back on track?" You noticed. That alone may save them. STEP 5: THE "IF YOU QUIT NOW" LETTER They say they want to quit? You don’t process it. You print this and hand it to them: IF YOU QUIT NOW… You’ll miss the moment you were about to break through. You’ll teach your kid quitting is acceptable when life gets hard. You’ll walk away from the version of you that was finally showing up. This isn’t meant to be easy. It’s meant to change you. Then say: "Read this. If you still feel the same way, I’ll respect it." Most never go through with the cancel. STEP 6: THE COMEBACK CONTRACT Offer this: "Come back for 30 days. No pressure. If you still want out after that, I’ll process it and even give you a shirt for giving it one last shot." You look like the hero. And 95% of the time? They don’t quit again. STEP 7: PSYCHOLOGICAL PAYOFF SYSTEM Belts don’t keep students. Progress does. Ask: "What does success look like to you in 90 days?" Then: Track it. Measure it. Show them the finish line. Progress = Retention. Visible progress = Loyalty. STEP 8: THE WALL OF THE COMEBACK This is the heartbeat of the entire Anti-Cancel Culture. You want retention? Don’t post cheesy slogans. Post proof that real people felt weak and stayed anyway. 🔥 THE WALL OF THE COMEBACK 🔥 Names. Dates. Photos. Quotes. "I almost quit. I didn’t. Now I’m proud." This wall becomes part of your culture. A student walks by it and knows: "I’m not alone in this fight." This wall makes them believe staying is possible. Because others already did. 🔪 TWO REVOLUTIONARY IDEAS TO SEAL THE DEAL 🔋 IDEA #1: THE BLACK BELT BURNDOWN CEREMONY Once per quarter, do this: Burn a white belt in a fire pit Have black belts share their "I almost quit" story Recognize every comeback student in front of families 🌟 This makes perseverance public and powerful . 💥 It turns your school into a tribe of warriors. 🔋 IDEA #2: FUTURE SELF MIRROR METHOD Day 1: Record a video of the student saying why they joined and what they want in 6 months. Day 60: Show it to them. Let them see the fire in their own eyes. Remind them who they said they’d become. 💥 FINAL WORD FROM NICK D: If you let people quit without a fight, you’re not just losing students. You’re letting families lose the very thing they came to you for: strength, discipline, belief. Fight for them. Challenge them. Show them what they’re really made of. Because most of the world lets people quit. Be the one who doesn’t. 🔫 Want the full Anti-Cancel Swipe File with messages, scripts, posters, and email templates? Lock it in. Light it up. Let’s go to war on quitting. 💣 ANTI-CANCEL SWIPE FILE Messages, Letters, Comeback Offers & Posters By Nick D 1. ✅ Comeback Message (Text/SMS) Message: “Hey [Name], I noticed you’ve missed a few classes. That’s when most people lose momentum — and I’m not letting that happen to you. Can I give you a quick 2-minute call today to get you back on track?” 2. 📞 Parent Intercept Message Message: “Hey [Parent], quick note: when students miss two or more classes, it usually turns into quitting. But that doesn't happen on my watch. Can I give you a quick call today or tomorrow? I’ve got a plan.” 3. 📄 “If You Quit Now” Letter (Print or Email) Subject/Headline: IF YOU QUIT NOW… You’ll miss the moment you were about to break through. You’ll never know the potential sitting just beyond the struggle. You’ll teach your child that quitting is normal when things get tough. This program wasn’t meant to be easy. It was meant to change you . We’re fighting for your growth. Are you? 4. 🎯 Recommitment Bonus Offer Offer: 30-Day Recommitment Challenge Message: “What if you gave it just 30 more days? If you're still not feeling it, I’ll process the cancel — and even give you a free shirt just for the effort. But if you’re like most… you’ll be glad you stayed.” 5. 🧱 “No Quit Zone” Wall Poster (Print-Ready Text) 🔥 THE WALL OF THE COMEBACK 🔥 These are the names of warriors who were tempted to quit… but didn’t. They pushed through. They fought back. They stayed the course. This wall is proof: You’re always one choice away from a comeback. (Add names/photos monthly) 6. 🧠 Day 1 Inception Script “Just so you know — most students hit a wall in the first 30–60 days. They get busy, tired, overwhelmed. Some want to quit. That’s when the magic happens. Push through that wall — and life changes.” 7. 🔁 Monthly “Why You Started” Message Subject: Do You Remember Why You Started? Body: Because we do. And it’s working. Here’s what we’ve noticed: [Insert specific progress] [Attach photo or milestone] This isn’t about where you are. It’s about how far you’ve come .