Two years ago, if you had told me I’d be speaking at the Governor’s Small Business Summit about AI tools for small business success, I would have laughed. Not because I didn’t believe in the summit—but because I was one of those business owners who thought AI was just another tech fad that would complicate rather than simplify my life.
How wrong I was.
The Big Announcement
I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been selected as a panelist for the Governor’s Small Business Summit in Waxahachie on July 24, 2025. I’ll be joining an incredible panel discussing “Smarter, Not Harder: AI Tools for Small Business Success” alongside fellow business leaders, moderated by Michael Ball, CEO of Chick-fil-A Waxahachie.
The event takes place at the Waxahachie Civic Center from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with our panel scheduled for 10:40 AM to 11:25 AM. This summit is a collaboration between the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office and the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce, bringing together small business owners across Texas to share practical strategies for growth.
Why This Matters to Me
As CEO of EVOBRAND Concepts, I’ve experienced firsthand how the right AI tools can transform a small business—not by replacing the human element that makes each brand unique, but by amplifying our natural capabilities and freeing us to focus on what we do best.
The transformation in my own business has been remarkable. We went from spending 8-10 hours per week on market research, competitor analysis, and content brainstorming to accomplishing the same tasks in just 2 hours. That extra 6-8 hours? We redirected it toward strategic client work, resulting in a 25% increase in client retention and the ability to take on three additional clients without expanding our team.
The Journey from Skeptic to Advocate
I’ll be honest—I was initially resistant to AI. Like many creative professionals, I worried it would make our work impersonal or somehow diminish the human creativity that’s at the heart of effective branding. I had visions of generic, robotic content that would strip away the authentic voice that makes each brand special.
What I discovered instead was that AI became our most valuable research assistant and creative catalyst. It didn’t replace our insights—it amplified them. It didn’t eliminate the need for human judgment—it freed up more time for strategic thinking.
The turning point came when I realized I was spending more time on repetitive research tasks than on the creative strategy work that truly drives results for our clients. AI tools allowed us to handle the routine efficiently so we could focus on the work that requires human intuition, creativity, and relationship-building.
What I’ll Be Sharing at the Summit
During the panel, I’ll be covering several key areas that I believe every small business owner needs to understand:
Real-World Applications That Work: I’ll share specific examples of how we use AI tools for content creation, market research, email marketing, and customer service—with measurable results you can expect.
The Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To): From trying to implement too many tools at once to trusting AI outputs without verification, I’ll share the learning curve so you can avoid the pitfalls.
A Practical Getting-Started Guide: For those who feel overwhelmed by AI, I’ll provide a step-by-step approach to implementing your first AI tool, mastering it, and then gradually expanding your toolkit.
The Human Element: Most importantly, I’ll emphasize that successful AI implementation isn’t about replacing human creativity—it’s about amplifying it. The businesses that thrive will be those that use AI to handle routine tasks so humans can focus on complex problem-solving, relationship building, and creative strategy.
Why Small Businesses Can’t Afford to Wait
Here’s what I’ve learned: AI isn’t just for tech companies or large corporations with massive budgets. Many of the most effective AI tools for small businesses are free or cost less than $20 per month. The barrier isn’t financial—it’s psychological.
The small businesses that embrace AI thoughtfully and strategically will have a significant competitive advantage. They’ll be able to:
- Respond to market changes faster
- Create more personalized customer experiences
- Operate more efficiently with existing resources
- Scale without proportionally increasing overhead
Meanwhile, businesses that ignore AI entirely risk being left behind as their competitors become more efficient and responsive.
Join the Conversation
If you’re a small business owner in Texas, I’d love to see you at the summit. This isn’t just about learning new tools—it’s about connecting with other business owners who are navigating the same challenges and opportunities.
Can’t make it to Waxahachie? I want to hear from you anyway. What’s your biggest challenge as a small business owner that might benefit from AI assistance? Drop me a comment or send me an email at ks@evobrand.net. I’ll do my best to address common questions during the panel’s Q&A session.
The Bottom Line
AI won’t solve every business problem, and it certainly won’t replace good judgment, creativity, or the human connections that make businesses successful. But for small business owners who are willing to approach it strategically, AI can be a powerful ally in working smarter, not harder.
I’m excited to share this journey with fellow business owners and help demystify AI for those who, like me, started as skeptics. The future belongs to businesses that can blend human creativity with AI efficiency—and that future is available to small businesses today.
See you in Waxahachie on July 24th!
Keisha Solomon is CEO of EVOBRAND Concepts, a branding and marketing agency that helps businesses tell their stories in ways that connect with customers and drive growth. She specializes in helping small businesses leverage AI tools to amplify their marketing efforts while maintaining authentic brand voices.
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday, July 24, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Panel: 10:40 AM – 11:25 AM)
- Location: Waxahachie Civic Center, 408 S. Rogers, Waxahachie, TX 75165
- Registration: Click to register online or Contact the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office
For more information about EVOBRAND Concepts and AI tools for small business, visit evobrand.net or follow us on social media.
