Happy One Year Anniversary

There have been a lot of discussions around the subject of AI. The truth is, regardless of the discussion, it is here, and for most, the first question is… How do I use AI in business? 

Think AI is a magic wand? Point, prompt, and poof, amazing results? In reality, AI is a tool, and like any tool, it takes learning and practice.

Learning this tool matters right now because AI adoption isn't slowing down. The people who learn to use it well will be the most valuable in their field, whether they run the business or work in one.

In this session, Nikki will show you how to spot the everyday tasks AI is good at. You'll walk through a simple, six-stage path for building AI into a business, one step at a time, always staying in control. It's not about AI replacing you. It's about AI working for you.

Tim Larson Dingus brings a lifetime of storytelling, media experience, and entrepreneurial insight to every audience he meets.

Tim spent a decade in radio, with much of that time at WROK in Rockford, Illinois, where he was both an on-air personality and Promotions Director. His work in promotional partnerships sparked an entrepreneurial tour that led he and his wife to launch Skyward Promotions, a successful imprinted promotional products advertising business they owned and operated for 30 years.

After being diagnosed with leukemia and selling the business, Tim embraced a series of new creative chapters.  He became the author of three books, songwriter, professional photographer and podcast host. His podcasts are heard in all fifty states and eighty-four countries reaching audiences through engaging conversations and meaningful connections. Tim currently hosts the podcast Storytellers Studio solo and the Lifes3x5s podcast with Liz Wylder formerly of 97ZOK radio.  Unscripted conversations capture the experiences, humor, and wisdom of people from all walks of life around the world.

Throughout his career, Tim has interviewed and shared the stage with notable figures in music and broadcasting, including Barbara Mandrell, Louise Mandrell, Ronnie Milsap, Charley Pride, Bill Cody, Abbie Thomas, and Chicago radio legends Fred Winston and John Landecker.  He also announced major entertainment acts appearing at the MetroCentre in Rockford like The Beach Boys.

Today, Tim believes that noticing a light under a door at the end of a dark hall is just the beginning.  A life-changing opportunity just might be on the other side if you’re willing to try the knob, open it a tad and ask a basic question.  The most they’ll say is no, but the possibilities are endless if they say “sure” without much nudging.   He prides himself in connecting the dots, that may be separated by decades, in order to make the next project possible.

I began my career as a sales representative and trainer for Eastman Kodak Company, later became a business owner, and after retirement started a hobby farm with absolutely zero experience - which turned into one of my greatest adventures.

Today I'm a Facebook content creator who shares life on the farm, decorating inspiration, entertaining ideas, and the joy of creating welcoming spaces and experiences for others.

I love showing that reinvention is possible at any stage of life."

John left Sundstrand a few months after it was acquired by UTC.  For some time, he had thought of starting a business but needed to identify the type of business.  One day John was having lunch with a fellow church member who described his journey from branch manager of a trucking company to a handyman and advised that John could do the same. As he reflected on the conversation, John realized that he would like to become a general contractor and starting as a handyman was an entry point that would add to skills accumulated over many years.  Also, John had various assignments that touched on construction - such as having been the project manager for construction of the Atwood Mobile Products headquarters. The business was launched with a used pickup and 1000 flyers.

Jan had a career in education culminating in doing staff development for the Regional Office of Education, leaving during the great recession of 2008. Over a number of months, they had a rolling discussion about how her talents could apply to TLC Construction and what Jan’s role would be. TLC Construction already had a bookkeeper and that didn’t really seem to be a fit anyway.  With construction of new homes coming to a screeching halt, many of the unemployed home builders and construction workers became competitors.  This really diluted TLC’s market of renovations and additions.  She joined with the emphasis on marketing by getting to know even more people thru joining network groups and serving on community boards.

As a result, TLC Construction is now 25 years old.

 Join them June 23^rd too hear how this married couple made it work with Tender Loving Care.