In this episode, I sit down with Joe Zapiain one of the world’s most sought-after automation specialists to explore the real power of AI and automation in today’s business landscape. Joe isn’t just about zaps and bots he’s about building systems that free people from the grind and empower them to focus on what they love. From working with Shark Tank’s Daymond John to helping a cloak company explode from zero to millions overnight, Joe’s stories are as actionable as they are jaw-dropping.

We unpack the difference between flashy automations and the real pain points that quietly hold businesses back, and how solving those can lead to massive gains. Joe also gets candid about what excites him most in the AI world, what truly worries him, and the practical systems every entrepreneur should be thinking about now.

Timeline Summary:

[0:00] - Introduction

[1:45] - Joe’s approach to automation: focus on freedom, not just profits

[4:50] - What it’s like building systems for Daymond John’s companies

[6:20] - The subtle automations that create the biggest wins

[9:56] - How a viral TikTok cloak video led to a multimillion-dollar business

[13:00] - Scaling a three-person team to handle massive order volume

[18:00] - Automating customer support: returns, complaints, and sales follow-up

[20:30] - Why brick-and-mortar businesses might be the real winners in the AI era

[23:53] - Joe’s step-by-step client process: blueprint, implementation, ongoing evolution

[27:00] - The darker side of AI: how Joe protects his own kids and sees risk growing

[34:00] - From McLarens to Zapier: Joe’s unexpected journey into automation

[38:00] - Why Joe prefers Zapier over other tools and his blunt take on Asana

[42:00] - Real estate, email GPS, and overlooked opportunities in admin workflows

[46:00] - Top 3 automation tools Joe uses in nearly every client setup

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Automation is about quality of life – Joe’s core mission is helping business owners get their time back, not just chasing revenue.

2. The biggest wins come from the smallest pain points – Simple automations like reminders or filtering emails can radically shift a business.

3. Validation before creation – Joe shares how his client Chris Claflin validated his entire cloak business with one video before producing anything.

4. Being ‘AI fluent’ is now a job requirement – Knowing how to use tools like Zapier and ChatGPT is no longer optional in modern business.

5. Human connection is the new premium – As AI rises, genuine human interaction and in-person experiences are becoming more valuable than ever.

Links & Resources:

• Joe Zapiain: https://smartclick.systems

• ClickUp: https://clickup.com

• Zapier: https://zapier.com

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In this episode of the AI for Business Podcast, Brian and I are thrilled to welcome Dolmar and Keisha Cross, stars of A&E’s Zombie House Flipping: Tampa and our brilliant business partners. This lively happy hour conversation dives into how they’ve harnessed AI to build their social media brand, dominate the real estate market, and even land a spot on national TV. We explore how AI can humanize your content, the power of going viral on social, and how strategic relationships can open unexpected doors—like starring in a reality show. Plus, Dolmar shares his raw, inspiring journey from broke college student and balloon artist to multi-million-dollar real estate mogul, while Keisha reveals how she ghostwrites for bestselling authors and how AI is transforming her creative process.

Join us for laughs, behind-the-scenes stories, and practical tips on using AI to accelerate your brand, whether you’re a content creator, business owner, or investor. And don’t miss the details about our upcoming Orlando event—it’s already almost sold out!

[0:00] - Kicking off happy hour: meet Dolmar & Keisha Cross from Zombie House Flipping.

[2:16] - Updates on our Orlando event—VIP seats sold out, pushing for more availability.

[5:44] - Brian introduces Dolmar & Keisha’s impressive backgrounds in real estate and course creation.

[9:00] - Keisha shares how she uses AI to craft authentic, human-sounding ghostwritten content.

[12:18] - Behind-the-scenes bloopers from filming the show, including Dolmar’s voiceover mishaps.

[15:00] - Francis demonstrates creating an AI clone video using 11Labs and HeyGen in five minutes.

[20:10] - Dolmar’s journey from balloon artist to a real estate entrepreneur closing over 1,000 deals.

[23:31] - How investing in mentorship turned Dolmar’s early failures into a 7-figure breakthrough.

[27:00] - Rebuilding the business after COVID by leveraging Instagram, leading to $10M in revenue in 18 months.

[31:00] - Strategies for going viral with relatable couples content, including a video with 48 million views.

[35:00] - Using AI to script creative content ideas for social media videos filmed in renovated houses.

[40:10] - Plans for creating educational videos giving behind-the-scenes flipping tips while raising private capital.

[47:13] - Keisha announces she’ll speak on stage for the first time ever at our Orlando event to teach AI-powered course creation.

[49:00] - The power of adding value in masterminds and communities, and how relationships led to landing a reality TV show.

• Dolmar & Keisha’s Instagram: @DolmarCross

• AI Tools Mentioned: 11Labs and HeyGen

1. Humanizing AI Content – AI can create content quickly, but adding emotional nuance is critical to making it connect with real people.

2. Relationships Drive Opportunities – Joining and giving value in masterminds can lead to game-changing introductions and opportunities, like starring on TV.

3. Power of Relatable Content – Short, funny videos rooted in everyday experiences can go viral and attract thousands of followers.

4. Mentorship Multiplies Success – Investing in the right mentors can transform early failures into long-term success and accelerate your path.

5. AI Can Save Time and Scale Branding – Tools like 11Labs and HeyGen make it easy to create videos, clone voices, and generate ideas faster than ever.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the AI For Business Podcast! If you enjoyed learning how Dolmar and Keisha use AI to grow their brand and business, don’t forget to rate, follow, and review the show. Share this episode with someone who wants to harness AI to transform their business—see you in the next one!