In this episode of The AI Advantage, host Solomon Williams sits down with Dave Braun, CEO of Pro Website Creators and Chief Freedom Officer at HireMyVA, to break down exactly how AI, automation, and virtual teams can transform the way entrepreneurs work.

Dave shares his journey from semiconductor engineering management to building successful remote-driven tech companies. He reveals what most leaders get wrong about delegation, why SOPs are the backbone of true freedom, and how pairing VAs with AI tools creates a productivity powerhouse.

Solomon and Dave dive into real strategies business owners can use right now, whether you’re drowning in urgent tasks, struggling to scale, or looking for a smarter way to operate without burning out. This episode delivers the rare combination of mindset, systems, and actionable tactics that modern business owners desperately need.

If you’re ready to unlock efficiency, reclaim your time, and build a future-proof team, this conversation is your roadmap.

Key Takeaways:

• Why combining AI + Virtual Assistants creates exponential efficiency
• How to develop SOPs that actually work and eliminate micromanagement
• Practical ways founders can stop operating in “urgency mode”
• How to architect systems so your team can execute without you
• Real examples of using AI tools to accelerate output and reduce workload
• Leadership lessons for building a culture of clarity, autonomy, and trust to make a real difference in your business and reclaim time for what you love.

Key Moments:

04:51 Training Virtual Assistants Effectively

09:39 "Strategic Growth Through AI Automation"

11:52 "Building AI-Driven Team Culture"

16:33 Cloud Solutions for Business Growth

18:03 "Effective AI Problem-Solving Tips"

20:32 Prioritizing Actions to Drive Progress

25:34 "Embracing AI for Efficiency"

30:22 Scaling Business: Key Focus Areas

33:56 AI as Accountability Partner

37:36 "Phased Growth Through Retrospection"

About the guest :

Dave Braun’s journey began as an engineer in the semiconductor industry, where he honed his technical expertise over many years. Eventually, Dave transitioned to entrepreneurship, starting several businesses - one solo and another with a partner - including Pro Website Creators, where he serves as CEO, and HireMyVA, where he proudly takes on the role of "Chief Freedom Officer." Alongside running and innovating in his businesses, particularly leveraging AI, Dave is deeply committed to his community; he regularly volunteers in local jails, leading Protestant services for inmates. He is happily married, a father of two, and a proud grandfather.

How to connect Dave:

Company Website: https://prowebsitecreators.com

Linkedin URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedavebraun/

Business Linkedin URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pro-website-creators/

email: dave@prowebsitecreators.com

About the host :

Solomon Williams is the founder of Solonox and the host of the podcast "AI Advantage." Dedicated to helping modern leaders navigate the future of technology, Solomon cuts through the noise and hype to deliver clear, insightful conversations about AI and automation. On his podcast, he shares his expertise, sometimes solo, sometimes alongside the brightest minds in tech, offering practical advice on what it really takes to grow smarter in a rapidly evolving digital world. With "AI Advant...

In this episode of The AI Advantage, host Solomon Williams sits down with Hemant Panse, Founder and CEO of Mantra Technologies and Data Speak, to explore how businesses can unlock the power hidden within their own data.

Hemant shares how his team helps small and mid-sized organizations modernize legacy systems, implement AI, and start generating real results—fast. Through Data Speak, he’s helping companies transform “data chaos” into clarity, using machine learning and automation to uncover patterns that drive growth and profitability.

Together, Solomon and Hemant discuss why the smartest AI strategies start small, how to achieve quick wins that prove value early, and what it takes to turn raw information into meaningful business intelligence.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make your data actually work for you, this conversation will show you how.

Key Takeaways:

• How to turn untapped company data into actionable business insights
• The difference between AI experimentation and AI implementation that drives ROI
• How to modernize legacy systems without disrupting existing workflows
• The power of “quick wins” in building AI confidence inside organizations
• Why consultative AI partnerships outperform hype-driven tech adoption
• Real examples of automation saving time and generating measurable growth

Key Moments:

04:32 "Data Inefficiency to AI Solutions"

08:54 Data Challenges and Misaligned Goals

12:39 "AI: Helper, Not End-All"

16:05 Tech Adoption Pressures Intensify

19:24 "Starting the AI Journey"

22:37 "Focus on Quick Wins"

23:33 CRM Forecasting with Machine Learning

28:26 "Automating Processes with AI"

31:14 "Client Discovery Drives Solutions"

34:28 "Partnering to Provide Genuine Value"

37:29 AI Adoption Transformation

41:59 AI Adoption Milestones and Growth

About the guest :

Hemant Panse is a seasoned entrepreneur with a keen passion for leveraging technology to empower small and mid-sized businesses. As the founder and leader of two innovative companies - Mantra Technologies and Data Speak - Hemant’s journey is rooted in bridging the gap for companies that lack access to large consulting firms.

While Mantra keeps him deeply connected to the challenges of evolving technology, it is his work with Data Speak that truly excites him. Hemant often shares his insights and experiences on AI and emerging tech, eager to foster conversations and solutions that can redefine what's possible for growing companies.

How to connect Hemant:

Company Website:

In this episode of The AI Advantage, host Solomon Williams talks with Yan Antropov, co-founder of AI Vanguard Art, about one of the most inspiring intersections of technology and culture — using AI to resurrect lost masterpieces.

Yan takes us inside The 12 Caesars Project, where artificial intelligence, scientific precision, and human artistry combine to bring ancient works of art back to life. Discover how his team leverages pigment analysis, historical data, and custom-trained AI models to digitally reconstruct paintings lost to time — while authenticating each piece through blockchain certification.

This isn’t just a story about technology; it’s about preserving legacy, reviving history, and reimagining what art restoration means in the digital age.

If you’ve ever wondered how AI could honor the past while shaping the future, this episode will captivate you.

Key Takeaways:

• How AI Vanguard Art blends science and creativity to restore lost works
• Behind-the-scenes of The 12 Caesars Project and its groundbreaking techniques
• The role of Stable Diffusion and custom AI models in digital restoration
• How pigment analysis, art history, and blockchain ensure authenticity
• What this project reveals about the evolving relationship between AI and human craftsmanship
• The ethical and creative frontiers of AI-powered art restoration

Key Moments:

03:23 "Art Meets AI Evolution"

09:25 Titian's Pigment Investigation

12:34 "Growth Through Iteration"

14:11 "Discussing 'The 12 Caesars'"

17:35 "Creating Art: Digital to Physical"

20:06 "AI Creates 3D Effect"

24:48 "Resurrected Painting Evaluation $50M"

27:14 "Team Milestone and Meaning"

29:13 Resurrecting Lost Heritage

33:22 "Opening Door to New Industry"

38:18 "Authenticity Tech for Art"

41:56 Refining Focus for Success

45:02 "AI Wishes and Efficiency"

47:31 "Vanguard's Vision and Partnerships"

50:17 AI: A Tool, Not a Replacement

About the guest :

Yan Antropov is an innovative creator dedicated to blurring the lines between digital concepts and physical art. In his collaborative process, Yan draws inspiration from various sources and techniques, skillfully layering and combining ideas. By integrating digital tools with traditional painting methods, Yan's mission is to help artists bring their visions to life - not just on screens, but as tangible works in the real world. His approach celebrates both experimentation and the power of collaborative creation, always to transform abstract concepts into physical masterpieces.

How t...

In this episode of The AI Advantage, host Solomon Williams talks with Ilya Ozerets, Founder of Belchoice and Instaloper, about how AI agents are transforming modern business operations, from web optimization to compliance and customer engagement.

Ilya unpacks the real impact of agentic AI, showing how businesses can go beyond hype and use automation to drive measurable growth. Together, Solomon and Ilya explore how low-code and no-code tools empower teams, the evolution from SEO to AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), and why human expertise still matters in industries like healthcare, fintech, and digital marketing.

If you’ve been wondering how to actually use AI to scale smarter, this episode delivers the roadmap.

Key Takeaways :

• What agentic AI really means—and how it’s reshaping modern business workflows
  
  
• The difference between automation hype and real-world implementation
  
  
• How to use AI agents for web optimization, compliance, and customer outreach
  
  
• The rise of low-code and no-code tools in accelerating business innovation
  
  
• Why domain expertise remains the foundation of successful AI adoption
  
  
• Practical lessons for scaling teams, building partnerships, and staying future-ready
  
  

Key Moments:

04:26 "SEO Shifts: Answer-Driven Content"

07:04 Webflow Expertise and Content Strategy

12:15 AI Transforming Healthcare Operations

13:42 Human Oversight in AI Usage

18:42 Agile Processes and Documentation Challenges

20:44 "Value-Driven Strategy Over Hype"

26:01 AI Tools and Human Expertise

28:03 Tech Stack Upgrade & Process Optimization

32:47 "AI Automation for Business Growth"

34:56 AI Niche Applications Expanding

About the guest :
Ilya Ozerets is a seasoned entrepreneur and technologist with over 15 years of experience in the software industry. After studying computer science, Ilya founded Installoper and Belchoice - companies dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and organizations to build and release innovative software solutions. Throughout his career, he has helped guide startups and businesses through the complex journey of technology development. A notable achievement includes bootstrapping...

In this episode of The AI Advantage, host Solomon Williams talks with Ine Velaers - an independent consultant at IvelTrad and former Vice President at Density6- about the human side of automation and what it really takes to scale with AI.

Ine shares her unconventional path from art and language studies to leading automation initiatives across industries, including gaming, healthcare, and renewable energy. Drawing from hands-on experience, she reveals how smart systems can handle nearly all workflows - without losing creativity, purpose, or human connection.

From mentoring teams to building proprietary automation strategies, Ine offers rare insights into how leaders can overcome integration bottlenecks, build AI-driven cultures, and design organizations ready for billion-dollar impact.

If you want to see how far automation can go - and how people remain the driving force - this episode is for you.

• How to achieve near-total workflow automation without sacrificing creativity
• The mindset shift from AI user to AI builder
• Why company culture and mentorship are critical in AI-driven organizations
• Overcoming integration and autonomy challenges while scaling AI
• Lessons from applying automation across gaming, medical, and energy sectors
• How leaders can future-proof their teams with a practical AI strategy

Key Moments:

03:45 From Startups to AI Creativity

09:16 Children's Views on AI Diverge

10:48 "Fostering Open Minds in Education"

16:02 Optimizing Workflows with AI

17:40 "AI Strategy and Creativity"

23:48 Scaling AI Models for Growth

25:49 "Interactive System for User Engagement"

About the guest :

Ine Velaers’s career is a masterclass in adaptability and creative evolution. What began as a dream in the arts transformed into a journey through languages, technology, and innovation. Initially pursuing a future in art at a time when success relied on connections and chance, Ine shifted gears and immersed herself in language studies—discovering new dimensions of communication and strategy along the way.

Her professional path took an unexpected turn after trade school, where she joined a Banksy-inspired art collective that bridged creativity with entrepreneurship. That experience sparked a lifelong curiosity about how systems, people, and ideas work together—a curiosity that eventually led her into automation, AI, and organizational design.

Today, as an independent consultant at IvelTrad, Ine helps businesses build smarter, human-centered automation frameworks that drive both efficiency and innovation. Her story is a testament to reinvention, showing how an artist’s mindset can shape the future of intelligent work.

How to connect Ine :

• (00:00:00) - The AI Biggest bottleneck
• (00:00:41) - How Density6 Went From AI to Business
• (00:07:26) - How to start a business with a child
• (00:15:09) - How to utilize AI in the Company?
• (00:20:29) - Stid City 6 Expands Into Solar, Medical
• (00:21:58) - Top 10 Business bottlenecks
• (00:23:49) - Density 6: On the Scale

In this episode of The AI Advantage, host Solomon Williams talks with Lucas Galvao, CEO and Founder of Open Cybersecurity, about one of the biggest shifts in modern security - moving from compliance to trust.

Lucas shares how his team is transforming cybersecurity leadership across Latin America and the U.S. by using automation and AI to make compliance faster, smarter, and more human. From redefining audit processes with Vanta to building cross-border partnerships that drive confidence, this episode uncovers what it really takes to lead with trust in today’s digital-first world.

If you’ve ever wondered how to scale security without slowing growth, this conversation will show you how.

Key Moments:

03:42 Global Partnership for Cybersecurity Solutions

08:50 Streamlining Tech for Local Industry

11:37 "Building Trust with Venta Team"

15:18 Accelerating International Sales Wins

19:33 Trust Management in Open Security

20:07 Cybersecurity: Trust and Education Focus

23:26 "AI Enhances Real-Time Audit Accuracy"

About the guest :

Lucas Galvao is the founder of Open Cybersecurity, a company with roots in both Brazil and the United States. Driven by a mission to foster growth through compliance, Lucas has expanded the company's footprint by helping clients across Brazil, Latin America, and now the US achieve strong cybersecurity standards, such as SOC 2 and ISO certifications. By focusing on automating compliance processes, he is removing barriers and accelerating progress for organizations throughout the region, making Open Cybersecurity a key partner for businesses aiming to scale securely and efficiently.

How to connect Lucas:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasfernandesgalvao/

Business Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/opencybersecurityinc/

Website: https://opencybersecurity.com.br/

About the host :

Solomon Williams is the founder of Solonox and the host of the podcast "AI Advantage." Dedicated to helping modern leaders navigate the future of technology, Solomon cuts through the noise and hype to deliver clear, insightful conversations about AI and automation. On his podcast, he shares his expertise—sometimes solo, sometimes alongside the brightest minds in tech—offering practical advice on what it really takes to grow smarter in a rapidly evolving digital world. With "AI Advantage," Solomon invites listeners to join him on a journey to decode the technologies shaping tomorrow.

Contact Solomon:

Website: https://solonox.net/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swilliams1992/

• (00:00:00) - At Solonox: The AI Advantage
• (00:00:50) - The AI Advantage
• (00:01:18) - Open Cybersecurity: Growth in Latin America
• (00:02:01) - Vienta's Open Cybersecurity Partnership
• (00:04:45) - Cybersecurity: Trust and How It Shape the Company Vision
• (00:06:28) - Phantom on Open Security and Partner Programs
• (00:07:41) - Expert Talk: Growing the Security Business
• (00:11:08) - Vanta's Connect with Latem
• (00:14:14) - Exploring the Trust Management in Cybersecurity
• (00:17:21) - The Next Wave of AI in Marketing
• (00:18:47) - Trust Management in the Cybersecurity Industry
• (00:22:06) - The AI Advantage

In today’s episode, host Solomon Williams, founder of Solonox, dives deep into his own journey, offering insights from his experience in Azure cloud engineering, Scrum, and enterprise AI frameworks. Solomon shines a spotlight on the evolving landscape for small and medium businesses, sharing what he’s learned about implementing AI not just for the sake of innovation, but to truly enhance business outcomes and empower employees.

He unpacks the challenges leaders face - like balancing hype with practical strategy, building solid data foundations, and aligning AI investments with company initiatives. You’ll hear why it’s crucial to focus on the human side of technology, maintain robust data governance, and keep refining your strategy as the AI landscape shifts.

Plus, Solomon lays out actionable steps for future-proofing your business, and previews the amazing guests and conversations coming up on the show.

Tune in for a pragmatic, no-nonsense take on making AI work for real-world results - whether you’re a solopreneur or steering an enterprise through the next wave of tech transformation.

Key Moments:

04:43 Strategic AI Implementation in Enterprises

07:41 Enhancing Job Creativity and Strategy

10:46 AI Strategy and Implementation Mindset

16:32 Balancing AI and Workforce Integration

17:58 Defining AI Implementation Goals

About the host :

Solomon Williams is the founder of Solonox and the host of the podcast "AI Advantage." Dedicated to helping modern leaders navigate the future of technology, Solomon cuts through the noise and hype to deliver clear, insightful conversations about AI and automation. On his podcast, he shares his expertise—sometimes solo, sometimes alongside the brightest minds in tech—offering practical advice on what it really takes to grow smarter in a rapidly evolving digital world. With "AI Advantage," Solomon invites listeners to join him on a journey to decode the technologies shaping tomorrow.

Contact Solomon:

Website: https://solonox.net/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swilliams1992/

In today’s episode, host Solomon Williams sits down with Aya Dorado, Vice President at DEFCON 1 Marketing, to explore the intersection of automation, AI, and human psychology in marketing.

Aya shares her unique journey from automation specialist to executive leader, unpacking how DEFCON 1’s CRM solution was originally built to solve real problems for aesthetic clinics—and why it only worked thanks to the critical blend of workflow automation and genuine human connection. Hear firsthand how Aya and her team approach AI as a tool to enhance—never replace—the personal touch in their marketing, and why authentic rapport is still the key to scaling growth.

From lessons on nurturing leads to the pitfalls of relying too heavily on chatbots and the challenges of team leadership, get ready for insights you can use to future-proof your own business with smart tech and sharper people skills. Let’s dive in!

Key Moments:

03:20 Expanding Nationwide through Strategic Marketing

08:02 AI: Treat It Like a Child

10:51 Employee to Leader: A Transformation

15:27 Chatbot Frustrations Increase Customer Anger

17:22 CSAT Impact on Call Center Jobs

22:42 Employee Feedback and HR Concerns

24:19 Assessing Client Operations & Team Dynamics

29:06 Empowerment and Leadership Reflections

32:32 "Focused Growth Through Specialization"

33:20 "Building Lasting Business Relationships"

37:35 "Preference for Direct Communication"

About the guest :

Aya Dorado began her career as an automation specialist, where she quickly discovered a passion for marketing and strategic operations. With a background in psychology, Aya became fascinated by the interplay between technology, human behavior, and sales.

During the pandemic, the rapid emergence of AI platforms inspired her to deepen her knowledge, leading her to take a course on generative AI - not just learning how to use these tools, but how to build them.

Her expertise in AI and automation landed her a role at DEFCON 1 Marketing, where she expanded her skills even further, mastering the art of leveraging technology for marketing success. Aya’s journey is defined by her curiosity, adaptability, and commitment to bridging the gap between innovative tech and human-centered strategy.

How to connect Aya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayadorado/

About the host :

Solomon Williams is the founder of Solonox and the host of the podcast "AI Advantage." Dedicated to helping modern leaders navigate the future of technology, Solomon cuts through the noise and hype to deliver clear, insightful conversations about AI and automation. On his podcast, he shares his expertise—sometimes solo, sometimes alongside the brightest minds in tech—offering practical advice on what it really takes to grow smarter in a rapidly evolving digital world. With "AI Advantage," Solomon invites listeners to join him on a journey to decode the technologies shaping tomorrow.

Contact Solomon:

• (00:00:00) - The AI Advantage
• (00:00:38) - How Automation and Human Psychology Affect Marketing
• (00:02:11) - DEFCON 1 Marketing
• (00:07:38) - How to Build a Personal Relationship with Your Clients
• (00:10:29) - Tom Clancy on Leading With a Vision
• (00:12:31) - How To Integrate AI & Marketing?
• (00:19:18) - Tom Clancy on Leading a Small Business
• (00:23:44) - How to Onboarding your Team
• (00:28:39) - "The dynamics of the team..."
• (00:29:08) - What Does Success Look Like for DEFCON 1?
• (00:31:37) - Continuous Expansion of Defcon
• (00:33:20) - How to Build a Personal Connection with Your Lead
• (00:34:39) - What would you do to add on to Defcon?
• (00:36:59) - Demo & Connect with Defcon1 at DEFCON 1