AI tools promised to make design easier, but for a lot of businesses they've created a new problem: designs that look generic, miss the mark, and sometimes even violate copyright. Carl has started calling the work that follows "AI rescue," and it's quickly becoming a real part of his business.
In this episode, Jake and Carl break down why AI-generated logos, brochures, and marketing materials are falling short in the real world. From healthcare brochures that aren't accessible to older audiences, to logos that consumers immediately recognize as AI-generated and reject, the gap between what AI produces and what clients actually need is wide open for skilled designers.

The conversation also covers what it's like to take on an intern for the first time as a solopreneur, the difference between teaching and coaching, and why mentoring the next generation of designers matters more than ever in an AI-saturated industry.

Plus, Jake and Carl talk honestly about their own use of AI tools, the real cost of replacing human workers with AI, how Google's shift to AI-first search is changing visibility for small businesses, and why sticking your head in the sand and refusing to engage with AI at all isn't the answer either.

A practical, honest conversation for designers, marketers, and small business owners trying to figure out where AI fits and where it falls flat.

Want more local clients from Google? In this episode of Creavo Cast, Jake Van Ness and Carl Grivakis talk about how small businesses, service businesses, trades, contractors, landscapers, designers and local professionals can use their Google Business Profile to rank higher in local search, show up in the Google Map Pack and generate more phone calls.

Carl shares what he recently taught during a local business networking presentation, including practical Google Business Profile strategies like getting more Google reviews, adding fresh photos, posting regular updates, optimizing categories and services, responding to reviews, using keywords naturally and keeping your profile active.

We also talk about why your Google Business Profile should work alongside your website, SEO, print marketing, direct mail and referral strategy. For local businesses, especially home service businesses, your Google Business Profile can be one of the most important tools for helping customers find you when they search for services near them.

In this episode, we cover:

How to optimize your Google Business Profile
Why Google reviews matter for local SEO
How many reviews and photos can help strengthen your profile
Why before-and-after photos work well for contractors and service businesses
How to use Google Business Profile posts and updates
Why seasonal businesses should update their profile regularly
How categories and services help Google understand your business
Why your website and Google Business Profile should work together
How local businesses can track where leads come from
Why YouTube, Shorts and AI search may matter more moving forward

If you run a small business, service business, contracting business, landscaping company, design business or local professional service, this episode will help you understand how to make your Google Business Profile work harder for you.

In this episode of CreavoCast, Jake Van Ness and Carl Grivakis dig into a topic every solopreneur and creative small business owner needs to pay attention to: auditing your business expenses.

From software subscriptions and email accounts to Zoom licenses, domain names, phone plans, storage platforms, bookkeeping, and debt, they unpack how easy it is for costs to quietly pile up when you are busy running a business. They also talk about why reviewing expenses should not be a once-a-year task, but an ongoing habit that helps protect profitability and keep your business running lean.

Jake and Carl also explore the bigger picture behind cost cutting. They discuss when it makes sense to save money, when it makes sense to keep paying for tools that truly deliver value, and when hiring help or bringing in contractors may actually be the smarter move. Along the way, they touch on pricing creative work, the difference between being seen as a vendor versus a consultant, and why staying visible with clients can help keep you from becoming an easy budget cut.

If you are a solopreneur trying to make better financial decisions, cut unnecessary business expenses, and build a more intentional business, this episode will give you plenty to think about.

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Show Links:
Shamayne Brown LinkedIn Post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/shamaynebrown_i-thought-i-knew-where-my-dollars-were-going-activity-7439720966542299136-qQoX?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAADAOKQBkMfoXw1lxrTaLVHRlPxJ1h9x9GI
WaveApps: https://www.waveapps.com
Alignable: https://www.alignable.com/
Affinity by Serif: https://affinity.serif.com
Upwork: https://www.upwork.com/
Marcus Brownlee Interview: https://youtu.be/Df10asLzwlY?si=LZdjIGTDfgkIIOe
Being Gordan Ramsey (Netflix): https://www.netflix.com/search?q=Being%20Gordan%20Ramsey&jbv=81901623
Poddecks: https://app.poddecks.com
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