AI Changed My Business | Rick Chorney On Rachel Thexton Connects.

How can AI agents help small business owners spend less time on admin? Rick Chorney, co-founder of Callout Digital, joins Rachel Thexton to discuss AI automation, custom software and building a business that creates more freedom. Rick shares his journey through spending part of his youth in government care, overcoming substance use challenges, rebuilding a cleaning business with a unique payment model, and mastering SEO to attract customers online. His experiences, both wins and losses, led him to start a business that supports clients with marketing via AI and automation and custom software. We explore practical uses for AI in small business, including scheduling, email summaries, customer follow-up and automated invoicing. Rick explains why clear instructions matter when delegating to AI—and why personal relationships still belong at the heart of client service. It’s also a candid conversation about confidence, family, starting over and building a life you want to protect. CHAPTERS 00:00 Meet Rick Chorney, co-founder of Callout Digital 00:32 Foster care, independence and resilience 05:21 Addiction and its impact on life and business 08:33 From early jobs to starting a cleaning business 12:04 Rebuilding a cleaning business 12:57 Learning SEO and launching Callout Digital 15:22 AI agents and custom business software 16:39 Entrepreneurship, ownership and confidence 19:43 Rick’s personal recovery story 22:48 AI opportunities, concerns and productivity 25:55 Reducing admin with small business automation 27:35 How to give AI better instructions 28:02 Building business freedom and planning ahead 30:19 Family relationships, gratitude and reconnecting 32:22 Closing thoughts and connecting with Rick CONNECT WITH RICK https://calloutdigital.com Subscribe to Rachel Thexton Connect for candid conversations about entrepreneurship, lived experience and the people behind the business. What is one task you would like AI to take off your plate? Tell us in the comments. #SmallBusiness #AIAutomation #Entrepreneurship #RickChorney #RachelThextonConnects #CallOutDigital #YouthInCare