The Future of Business Growth Through AI with Shahar Boyayan

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) has become more than just a buzzword—it's a game-changing tool that entrepreneurs can leverage to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive growth.

On a recent episode of "Deals with Heels," host Debra Bowers sat down with AI and consumer behavior expert Shahar Boyayan to explore how small businesses can effectively implement AI solutions without breaking the bank.

Understanding the AI Revolution in Business

Shahar, a consumer behavior expert with extensive knowledge of AI applications for business, emphasizes that we're witnessing a major shift in consumer behavior due to artificial intelligence. This transformation, similar to the behavioral changes observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, is not temporary—it's the new normal.

"Once behavior changes, it doesn't go back," Shahar explains. "We are embracing AI even when we say 'I don't use AI, I don't like AI.' But you have a device in your room that tells you the time and what to put in your shopping cart. You use Netflix. You have a smartwatch. Maybe you have smart glasses. So we are using AI sometimes without being conscious of it."

She notes that many businesses harbor misconceptions about AI implementation, believing it to be overly complex or prohibitively expensive. In reality, many day-to-day AI applications are both accessible and affordable for small business owners.

Cost-Effective AI Solutions for Entrepreneurs

One of the most valuable AI applications Shahar highlights is automated phone answering systems. Unlike traditional answering services or hiring a receptionist, AI phone systems:

• Answer calls 24/7, never missing potential sales opportunities

• Maintain consistent quality (they never have "bad days")

• Can be trained to handle specific business needs

• Cost less than $300 per month to implement and maintain

Shahar illustrates this with a compelling example: "If you think you have a business and your average ticket sale over the phone is $500, and you miss two calls a day, that's $1,000 that you're leaving on the table. A voice AI today can answer that phone, be empathetic with the person, answer questions, and either book an appointment, close the sale, or whatever the end result you want from that conversation."

This type of solution is particularly valuable for business owners working across different time zones or those who can't afford to hire full-time reception staff.

AI's Role in Supporting Women Entrepreneurs

For women entrepreneurs who often juggle multiple responsibilities beyond their businesses, AI offers particularly attractive benefits. Shahar, a single-mom who raised her child while running her business, understands this challenge intimately.

"Think about this: a main key difference, if we think gender-wise, is that we usually have several roles that we have to fulfill during those eight or nine hours that you should be devoting only to your business—that never happens. So we need to duplicate ourselves."

AI can help with:

• Handling routine tasks you dislike (answering phones, responding to emails)

• Maintaining consistent customer follow-up

• Delivering hyper-personalized customer experiences

• Managing appointment scheduling and reminders

The hyper-personalization aspect is particularly significant in today's business environment. As Shahar points out, "We are isolating ourselves more and more. There's a study showing that one in every five Americans feels extremely lonely, and only one in every three Americans thinks they have a friend."

This isolation creates a strong desire for personalized attention when people interact with businesses. AI can help deliver this by remembering customer preferences, anticipating needs, and creating tailored experiences that make customers feel special and valued.

AI Tools for Content Creation

Content creation is another area where AI can significantly reduce entrepreneurs' workloads. Shahar and Debra discussed several tools that can help:

• Opus Clips/Riverside: For creating social media clips from longer-form content like podcasts

• Ossa: Converts text into video content with various style options

• Canva: Now fully AI-powered for creating graphics and editing videos

• Notebook LM: Creates podcast-style discussions about your business that provide social validation

Shahar emphasizes that while AI-created content might initially seem inauthentic, the tools learn your style over time with continued use. "The problem is some people try once or twice and then say, 'I don't like the style, I'm not going to use it anymore.' It is a process... at the beginning I was like, 'This thing is so stupid,' but I think that's the part people don't understand—the more you interact and the more you ask it prompts, the more it understands your style."

AI for Business Analysis and Strategy

Beyond customer-facing applications, AI offers powerful tools for internal business analysis:

• Market research: Quickly gathering and analyzing competitive information

• Sales data analysis: Identifying your most profitable products, services, and customers

• Contract review: Breaking down complex legal language into understandable terms

• Brainstorming: Generating new ideas and approaches when you feel stuck

Shahar uses Claude AI to create project databases by uploading various materials (books, videos, audios) on specific topics. She can then generate insights and answers based on this curated knowledge base.

Overcoming Barriers to AI Adoption

Many entrepreneurs hesitate to adopt AI due to concerns about learning complex systems or finding the right approach. Shahar advises starting with free trials of various tools to get comfortable with the technology.

She also dispels the myth that you need to use precise, technical language to communicate with AI. "People get too worried about the prompts that they put in. I train my AIs to understand how I talk," she explains. The key is consistent interaction and feedback, which helps the AI learn your preferences and communication style.

The Future of AI in Small Business

As AI technology continues to evolve rapidly, the opportunities for small business implementation will only expand. Tools that seem impressive today will likely be even more sophisticated within months.

Shahar's parting advice encapsulates this forward-looking perspective: "I think we should not be scared of using AI. We should try all the tools—most of them have a free period—and get used to that. Then you will clearly see how you could adopt that into your business."

For entrepreneurs looking to stay competitive, embracing AI isn't just about adopting new technology—it's about fundamentally reimagining how business operations can be optimized, personalized, and scaled without proportionally increasing costs or workload.

Ready to Transform Your Business with AI?

PropTalkie offers powerful AI solutions designed specifically for small businesses and entrepreneurs. From AI receptionists that never miss a call to content creation tools that save you hours each week, our technology helps you focus on what matters most—growing your business.

Visit PropTalkie.com today to explore our AI solutions and download free resources including "AI-Driven Consumer Trends" and "The Five Laws of Irresistibility for Businesses."

This article was based on an interview with Shahar Boyayan on Deals with Heels, a podcast dedicated to exploring inspiring stories and insights from industry leaders.