A recently leaked memo from Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke has made something clear that’s been bubbling under the surface for a while: before you hire more staff, make sure AI can’t do the job.
That single line has sparked conversations across industries—but it’s not just a big-tech mindset. It’s a reality that sales professionals and small business owners need to pay attention to.
The good news? You don’t need a massive team or a tech stack to start. You just need a smart approach and a clear entry point.
Let’s break it down into something that works—whether you’re a solo founder, a home service provider, or running a lean business with a few team members.
4 Smart Steps to Bring AI Into Your Business
- Start where you feel the pain
- Let AI handle the small stuff first
- Use tools that match your size and budget
- Track what’s working, then grow from there
We’re going to go deeper on Step 1, because that’s where most people get stuck.
Step 1: Start Where You Feel the Pain
If your day feels like it’s packed but not productive, you’re not alone.
Start by asking:
- What’s slowing me down?
- Where am I losing time that doesn’t lead to sales?
- What am I repeating that could be done automatically?
These are your signals. That’s where AI can start to earn its place in your business. Let’s look at two simple but high-impact areas to begin with.
Protect Your Time with Smarter Calendars
A wide-open calendar is a silent killer for productivity. You spend your whole day reacting instead of building.
Use scheduling tools like Cal.com or Calendly to:
- Set up “no meeting” zones
- Reserve time for working on the business, not just in it
- Let customers and prospects self-schedule with smart availability rules
Pro Tip:
You can embed your calendar directly into your OneTapConnect card so it’s front and center when someone scans your digital business card or clicks your link. No extra emails, no back and forth.
Use Chatbots to Solve Problems Before They Happen
If you’re answering the same questions every week, you’re stuck in a loop that AI can solve.
Use tools like Tidio or ManyChat to:
- Answer FAQs instantly
- Capture leads outside of business hours
- Guide customers to the right service or offer
Pro Tip:
List your top FAQs right inside your OneTapConnect card, so visitors can get instant clarity—especially when you’re not available. You can also train a bot like Chatbase on your website’s content for more personalized answers.
And here’s the deeper win: if your chatbot reveals the same confusion over and over again, fix the root issue.
Update your sales page. Refine your messaging. Clean up your onboarding.
AI isn’t just about speed, it’s about insight.
It’s Not About Replacing People. It’s About Replacing Burnout.
Used right, AI won’t erase your voice, it’ll amplify it.
It clears the repetitive, time-draining tasks so you can focus on what only you can do: connecting, selling, serving, and building trust.
You don’t need a tech background. You don’t need custom software. You just need to start smart.
The Bottom Line
Shopify says “hire an AI before you hire a human.”
But for small businesses, it’s more like:
Let AI take care of the repetitive work, so you can stay human where it matters most.