1158: The NON-TECHIE way to leverage AI for automation, efficiency, & customer experience w/ Tom Sprinkle

Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business

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1d ago 35:20

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In this episode, Brian sits down with Tom Sprinkle, a longtime technologist and entrepreneur who's been at the forefront of emerging tech since the early days of the internet. Tom shares how he's helping everyday businesses tap into the real power of AI—not just for content creation, but for operations, automation, and customer experience.

Listeners will walk away with a grounded, practical understanding of how AI is being used beyond the hype—and how to actually plug it into your own business, even if you're not a techie. Tom's sales-driven, people-first mindset makes AI feel approachable and immediately useful.

💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business

🤖 How to use AI to solve real operational problems (not just make viral content)
💬 Why understanding your customers is the key to choosing between automation and human experience
🛠️ The 4 business areas where AI can be implemented fast—even without technical expertise
💡 What most businesses get wrong about AI (and how to fix it with one mindset shift)
🚀 Why automation isn't just about efficiency—it's a massive opportunity for scalability
📊 How to analyze your team’s daily processes and identify 6-figure opportunities for automation
🔍 Why the “pain or gain” framework is the best place to start your AI strategy

📝 About the Guest
Tom Sprinkle is a self-described early adopter with a passion for exploring new technologies and empowering others to leverage them. After graduating from UNC Chapel Hill, he began his career in 1992 with AT&T, rising to become a liaison between sales branches and Bell Labs. His drive for innovation led him to AT&T’s Emerging Technologies team, where he helped launch three of the first e-commerce buying platforms. “I was there when the internet took off,” he recalls.

After AT&T, Tom moved to California and continued selling emerging business technologies. He stepped down as EVP of PSI Network to launch BlueCrush Technologies and co-founded Epik, a pioneering POTS replacement solution. In mid-2024, Tom relocated to Chattanooga, TN, and refocused BlueCrush on artificial intelligence (AI), inspired by the city's vibrant tech community.

Today, Tom helps businesses harness AI to transform operations and enhance customer experiences. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring the outdoors and cherishes time with his family. He is a part of Rotary Int'l and very involved in the Marriage Ministry of The Relationship Resource.

🎯 Tom’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs
"There are riches in niches—focus, and go deep where it counts."

📢 Memorable Quotes

“I’m not the guy writing the LLMs—but gosh, do I know how to use them.” – Tom Sprinkle
“Automation is where the real magic of AI begins. Once you build it, it scales infinitely.” – Tom Sprinkle
“Know your customer. That tells you whether to lead with empathy or algorithm.” – Tom Sprinkle

💡 Actionable Takeaways
✅ Identify one manual task in your business that takes up too much time—then explore how to automate it
✅ Use AI tools to brainstorm and summarize ideas, but you bring the strategy
✅ Don’t treat AI like a gimmick—embed it where it actually improves customer experience
✅ Map your workflows and ask: is this a job for a human, or a system?

🔗 Links & Resources

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