A Year in Review: Lessons Learned on My Entrepreneurial AI Journey with Lorignite

The 10 Percent Edge: Finding My Niche in AI

It's hard to believe it's been a year since I came up with the concept of Lorignite and it all started with episode 43 of the Mel Robbins Podcast, Hate Your Job? Burnt Out? Laid Off? Reimagine Your Future & Take the Next Right Step.

When I listened to Episode 43, I had just dabbled with OpenAI's ChatGPT for the first time. I created an OpenAI account because I thought it would be fun to try ChatGPT to help me update my online profiles. Keep in mind, I originally created my Instagram account in 2011 and I hadn't changed it since. If there's one thing I dread it's coming up with bios or how to summarize who I am online. And I was wowed by what ChatGPT could do.

Amy Porterfield was the guest that day. She's an online marketing expert and NY Times bestseller. She explained the Sweet Spot formula for starting your own business which involves the 4 quadrants.

1. What are you good at? What do people ask you about?

2. If you have a customer, what could they be struggling with? How could you help them get to where they want to go?

3. Where are people spending money? Courses sold? Will people spend money to get what you will teach them or sell?

4. What lights you up? What makes you excited to get out of bed in the morning?

10% Edge over the people you serve

Here's the Kicker Amy said you just need a 10 percent edge over the people you serve. 10%? Then it clicked... ChatGPT, I could become 10% better than those around me. Most of my friends hadn't even heard of it. And surprisingly enough even before ChatGPT entered the scene, friends would come to me with their questions about their gadgets and apps.

Then it just clicked for me. And I'm so glad now that I captured the moment in this Instagram reel from February 2023.

I have no idea how I found the Mel Robbins podcast or wound up listening to it, but I've been hooked on Mel Robbins, her social media and podcasts ever since. Every topic resonates in some way shape or form. A few examples include: The Truth about ADHD, How to Train your Mind to Manifest, the Let Them Theory, and Ending the Self-sabotage Cycle.

Pay attention to the signs

I started paying attention to the signs. It didn't feel like coincidences any longer. The universe was talking to me. So I went to work devoting time each day to learn and explore ChatGPT, Machine Learning, anything I could study around this very broad topic of AI. I would share what I was learning on Instagram, Finding_LoriRyan, and write about it in my blog. I think I have written 50 or so blogs now. I'm not great at counting. As for the money part? It was so new, there was no benchmarking. And most people were scared of AI, so I knew the chances of people paying to learn would be minimal, at least in 2023. So year one was not about the money. It was about discovery.

Entrepreneurial AI Journey & Human Connection

As I cranked out online content and notched certificates for online AI courses, I also carved out time for my favorite activity, meeting people and it all started with Lois Josefson and the 12th annual MN Entrepreneur Kickoff last March. She organized this conference and I emailed her the next day to learn more about the speakers. She picked up the phone and called me immediately and she has been my mentor and friend ever since. And she has introduced me to some incredibly generous, kind, insanely brilliant individuals. I feel honored to be in their company.

And I learn something new from every person I meet, everywhere I go. I like to think of my first year as a collective and collaborative journey.

I'm just the crazy lady who wants to put myself out there and loves to talk about

ChatGPT.

Lorignite: 1 year anniversary

As I head into year two of Lorignite, I'm excited to share that I have some really incredible speaking opportunities. I have spent much of the last year struggling with Imposter Syndrome and I'm finally getting to a place where I am starting to feel more confident in what I've learned and why it matters.

I hope you will consider joining me at an upcoming event. The one thing that I can promise is you will leave feeling inspired and I'll introduce you to some really awesome people. Many of the folks attending and speaking at these events have been offering support in ways I never imagined. There's nothing more important as the world heads into uncharted tech territory than learning together. It's ironic, but getting knee deep chatting with a robot has helped extend my human circle in ways I never saw coming.

Upcoming engagements:

March 19, 2024 at Modernwell in Minneapolis - 5:30-7pm

ChatGPT: Beyond the Hype - The Inside Scoop on the Tool You Didn't Think You Needed

Link to Sign up for Modernwell Event

April 11, 2024 at Club E in Downtown Minneapolis

MN Entrepreneur Kick-off - INNOVATION UNLEASHED & Opportunties Abound!

Link to sign up for the MN Entrepreneur Kickoff

May 10, 2024 at Northern Star Scouting | Basecamp, Saint Paul, MN

APPLIED AI CONFERENCE SPRING 2024

Link to sign up for the Applied AI Spring 2024 Conference

Resources

If you are looking to get more involved with AI related events. There are also a lot of free events. The below options are in person and on-line. I highly recommend both communities as the people are beyond generous with their time and ideas.

Applied AI meetup events

https://www.meetup.com/applied_ai/events/

Applied AI Newsletter sign-up

Welcome Applied AI Weekly Readers to Issue 175! I'm thrilled to once again share with you some of the most interesting articles I've found this past week on Artificial Intelligence. Before we go there, here are a few things to note:

https://appliedaiweekly.com/issues/175

Applied AI Podcast

Conversations on Applied AI

Justin Grammens

https://appliedai.buzzsprout.com/1101152

AI Salon: On-line Community

https://aisalon.mn.co/share/E_CpwvvpjD-J8C0E?utm_source=manual

AI Salon Founder, Kyle Shannon on TikTok

Weekday evening live events! This is entertaining with sprinkle of good nuggets.  

https://www.tiktok.com/@ailearninglab