Chris Rubin: How SMBs Can Leverage AI to Accelerate Growth

21st Century Entrepreneurship

Chris Rubin is a seasoned marketing strategist with over 30 years of experience, blending AI with human creativity to amplify brand storytelling. We spoke about how small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can harness the power of AI to fuel growth, boost operational efficiency, and drive customer engagement.

Chris emphasized that AI is no longer just for large enterprises, highlighting how SMBs can now leverage the same powerful tools: “92% of large companies are seeing returns on AI investments—now it’s time for SMBs to reap the benefits.” He offered practical insights into how AI can streamline marketing processes, reduce operational costs, and help businesses generate value-driven content at scale.

One of the key takeaways from our conversation is the concept of augmented intelligence—AI working alongside human creativity, not replacing it: “The AI helps with automation, but the humans are in charge. It’s about using AI as a set of superpowers, not the final output.”

Chris also shared his unique methodology, developed over decades working with top brands, to create a comprehensive marketing strategy for businesses of any size. His process involves creating a strategic narrative that resonates emotionally with the target audience, turning brand strategy into a measurable growth engine.

Here are some important insights from the episode:

• AI isn’t out of reach for SMBs: Chris offers a roadmap to start integrating AI, focusing first on business needs and existing resources.
• Avoid over-reliance on AI: Human expertise is essential for making AI tools effective, especially in creative decision-making and customer engagement.
• Data-driven content creation: With AI, SMBs can create value-rich content that resonates with their audience, without excessive costs or time investments.

Whether you're new to AI or looking for ways to expand its use in your business, this episode is packed with actionable advice on how to maximize AI’s potential to boost your brand’s growth.