I came back from MAICON 2025 and realized most of us are asking the same thing: Where do we start? These lessons are about people, how we learn, adapt, and lead through AI together.

Some brands try to win Q4…
Others get real and plan for January.

If your site’s weak, your creative sucks, or you’re late to the party-
lean into “New Year, New You” instead.

Peak season’s about prep.
Missed it? Don’t panic. Pivot.

The fastest teams aren’t just moving. They’re learning.

AI helps scale, but without clear loops and human judgment, it’s just noise.

Wrote about this for SoCal Tech Forum  https://www.socaltechforum.org/blog/how-disruptive-tech-is-rewiring-digital-marketing

The best holiday ads aren’t about discounts. They’re about momentum.

Run evergreen ads now so they build comments, data, and trust before the sale hits. When Black Friday comes, your offer won’t need to prove itself. It’ll already be winning.

We used to treat onboarding like a formality. Then we realized it’s the moment you earn trust or lose it.

Now every new client gets a clear path, real progress, and one owner from day one.

Structure isn’t boring. It’s what keeps clients around.

AI won’t save your business if your spreadsheets are a dumpster fire.
Clean your data, build a simple schema, assign ownership, and audit often.
Structure first. Automation second.

“We need a quick video.” Cool. But who’s it for?

If it doesn’t serve your audience or fit a bigger story, it’s just noise.
Make content that connects, not just sells.

Start with what they care about.
Then earn the right to talk about you.

Everyone’s obsessed with the destination.
Milestones. Metrics. Maps.
But you don’t need a roadmap.
You need an adventure.
Set a direction.
Start walking.
Talk to strangers.
Get uncomfortable.
The good stuff happens on the way.

Directional data is guidance. Cashflow is truth.
MER shows efficiency.
Profit shows stability.
Retention shows trust.
Offer strength shows timing.
The trick isn’t more data. It’s better interpretation.

Most local businesses aren’t running ads. That’s your edge.
Show up on Google Maps when people search “near me,” run tiny test budgets on real intent, and keep your Business Profile clean.
You don’t need a brand to win locally. You just need the right map.

Last day of MAICON left us with fewer answers and sharper questions.

→ Open-source isn’t a checkbox
→ AI isn’t a shortcut
→ Curiosity > capability
→ Fix the workflow before prompting
→ Gen Z’s not asking for permission

The smartest part of AI? Humans.

Day 2 at MAICON hit hard.

AI isn’t theory anymore, it’s execution.
The smartest people in the room are still figuring it out, but they’re doing the work.

The window is closing fast.
If we want to compete tomorrow, we have to build and innovate with AI today.

Made it to Day 1 of MAICON after an unexpected Dallas detour. Andy Crestodina’s workshop on AI for B2B Lead Gen was packed with insight on using AI to think better, not faster. Wrapped the night with amazing AI folks over dinner and even better conversation.

Supposed to be in Cleveland last night.
Ended up overnighting in Dallas.
Watched people lose their minds.
Stayed kind.

Because kindness costs nothing.
But losing it in the moment?
That can cost you everything.

See you soon, MAICON.

Headed to MAICON in Cleveland this week. If you're around, let's trade notes, talk shop, or just stand near each other and pretend we know what we’re doing.  Hit me up!

Entrepreneurship will expose every insecurity you’ve got.
The trick isn’t to fix them, it’s to focus on serving others, doing your best, and not taking yourself too seriously.
We’re not performing heart surgery.
Stay present, stay human, keep it fun.

Ancient Mexican proverb: when Sakas is in town, you get the mariscos

Took Karl Sakas to a Michelin-starred food court in LA

We covered pricing design, Picasso’s menace, CPAP redemption arcs, and wild family history

A Bureau dinner for the books
Lobster never stood a chance

If your agency gives you exactly what you asked for, that’s not a partnership. It’s a liability.

We’re mechanics for your revenue.
We diagnose before we act.
No guesswork. No fluff.
Just traction, consistency, and growth.

Where do you need a tune-up?

Your pipeline isn’t empty. Your story is. Stop trying to buy demand; it’s nitro in an engine with no oil. Get simple: who you serve, pain you remove, why you, how it works. Put it on the homepage. Lead with outcomes. Show proof. One easy path to buy.

I have no business defending LinkedIn, but Kerry Doyle is why I can't hate it. He saw my post about coffee, found the beans in Detroit, and mailed them to me with a card. It made me cry. Kerry reminded me how good people can be. Thank you, man. I love you.

I left the house and talked to humans. 10/10 would recommend.
Healthspan Summit 2025 was full of smart people, real convos, and ramen that changed me.
Peptides are going mainstream, but guidance still lags.
Stack Tracker’s filling the gap.