When I first started out, one of the biggest challenges I faced wasn’t just learning the ropes of entrepreneurship, but staying integral to who I am. I wanted to be human in every interaction, truly understand the experiences of my customers, and respond with empathy. But at the same time, I felt the constant pressure to do everything myself. Emails, scheduling, client questions, content creation…it was endless. I worried that leaning on systems or technology would somehow make me less “real,” less connected.

It took a mindset shift to realize something important: being human doesn’t mean doing all the work yourself. Being human means knowing where your unique value lies and delegating the rest, even to AI, so you can focus on what really matters. When I embraced that idea, I discovered a way to stay connected to my customers, honor their human experiences, and still operate efficiently.

I’ve always believed that the best way to grow personally and professionally is through action, especially experiments. Real growth comes when we try something new, test it out, see what works, and adjust along the way.

That’s how every one of my books has been written: not by me sitting in an ivory tower with “perfect ideas,” but by testing concepts in the real world. Sometimes those experiments fail (and fail big). Other times, they work better than I could have imagined. Either way, the experiments always point to the truth.

Right now, I’m running a couple of experiments that have me both excited and a little nervous. They both involve AI, but in very different ways.

Experiment 1: The Speaking Page Leadscraping Test

Here’s what we’re doing: we’ve set up my speaking page to run an AI-driven test. When someone visits, the system tracks engagement so that we can potentially reach out to them afterward.

I want to be very clear: this is an experiment to see if there’s a smarter, more effective way to connect with people who might be interested in having me speak at their event.

Normally, people browse a site and then vanish. Poof. Maybe they were curious, maybe they were serious, but either way, we never hear from them again. That’s a lost opportunity for both of us.

So the experiment is this: what if AI could help bridge that gap? What if we could follow up in a thoughtful, human way with people who’ve shown interest?

Experiment 2: Kick – An AI Accounting Software

The other test is happening behind the scenes in my own business. We’ve started running our books in parallel: one set in our existing system, and another in a new AI-driven accounting tool called Kick. (Check it out here.)

Why? Because I don’t just want to read about AI tools or assume they’ll make life easier, I want proof. We’re watching closely to see:

• Does it actually save us time?
• Does it catch things our old system misses?
• Is the output clearer, more useful, and more human-friendly?

At the end of the day, I won’t fully switch unless it’s a clear improvement. But this is what experiments are for: to push ourselves, to test boundaries, and to only commit when we know it works. Stay tuned…

Why AI, and why now?

The bigger question might be: why AI at all?

Here’s my answer: because entrepreneurs need answers fast. When you’re in the weeds of your business, you don’t have time to wait for the next coaching call, the next event, or the next book release. Sometimes you need a tool that can give you immediate guidance in the moment.

That’s what excites me about AI. Not the hype, not the buzzwords, but the real possibility of creating something that can serve you right when you need it.

So, I started asking myself: what if AI could extend the reach of what I do? What if there was a way for you to get my methods, my systems, and my frameworks not just when I’m available, but whenever you need them?

That’s when we created something new.

Introducing AI + The Guy

This isn’t just another “AI tool.” It’s me and my digital brain working together to help you grow your business without burning yourself out.

Here’s how it works:

• AI: You get access to my virtual brain 24/7. It’s trained on everything I’ve ever written, said, or scribbled on a napkin. That means you can ask it anything about Profit First, The Pumpkin Plan, Clockwork, or any of my systems, and get actionable answers right away. No waiting. No office hours.
• The Guy: That’s me. The real me. Every month, I show up live. We’ll dig into strategies, answer questions, and have real conversations. No fluff. No filler. Just the honest truth and practical coaching.

It’s the best of both worlds: immediate access when you need it, plus live connection when we come together.

Where growth and experiment collide

AI + The Guy. The Kick accounting test. The speaking page experiment.

All of these are experiments, and I don’t have all the answers yet. But this is where business growth happens: faster breakthroughs, smarter systems, and more personal connections.

Let’s try this together

Here’s what I hope you take away: experiments are how we grow. I’m running this AI experiment because I want to serve you better, faster, and smarter. And I want to do it in a way that’s transparent, human, and collaborative.

So let’s try this together. Share your thoughts on the speaking page test. Tell me how you feel about AI in business. Check out Kick. Or tell me about something you are test driving yourself. 

Who knows? This just might be the experiment that changes everything.

-Mike

PS – And here’s the kicker: right now, you can jump in and try it for just $5 for your first month. That’s it. For less than the cost of a fancy coffee, you can have my digital brain in your pocket—and me live, every month.  Join AI + The Guy