For many small business owners, “doing it all” has become the norm - but it’s also the very thing
limiting growth. In this episode of The Accountant That Builds, Shannon Smit reframes AI not as
a complex, technical trend, but as a practical opportunity to take pressure off and reclaim time.
Rather than seeing AI as a content-writing tool, Shannon encourages business owners to think of
it as their first digital team member - one that can handle repetitive tasks, streamline decision-
making, and support day-to-day operations in a meaningful way.
A key shift explored in the conversation is the move from basic AI tools to AI agents. While many
are familiar with asking platforms like ChatGPT to rewrite content, Shannon explains that the real
opportunity lies in systems that can take action - drafting emails, pulling data, triggering
workflows, and supporting processes across marketing, customer service, admin, and sales. This
evolution allows business owners to move beyond small efficiency gains and start removing
entire layers of low-value work, freeing them up to focus on higher-impact activities that actually
drive the business forward. .
What makes this especially powerful is the advantage small businesses have right now. Without
the layers, restrictions, and slower adoption cycles of larger organisations, small businesses are
uniquely positioned to experiment, adapt, and embed AI quickly. Shannon makes it clear that this
moment isn’t about becoming more technical - it’s about becoming more effective. The
businesses that lean in, test, and iterate will be the ones that gain a competitive edge, simply by
moving faster and smarter than the rest.
Importantly, getting started doesn’t require a complete overhaul. The most effective approach is
to start small and stay practical: pick one repetitive task, trial one tool, and build from there. The
goal isn’t automation for the sake of it - it’s about creating real time savings unique to your
business. Ultimately, the biggest transformation comes from a mindset shift: moving away from “I
have to do everything” and towards asking, “What should I stop doing?” Once that shift happens,
AI becomes less about technology and more about creating space to focus on the work that truly
matters.
Shannon will be diving deeper into these ideas in her upcoming keynote at the B.I.T.E Business
Conference on 5 August, 2026 at Mornington Racecourse, where she’ll share practical, step-by-
step ways to integrate AI into everyday business operations. Designed specifically for non-
technical business owners, her session focuses on real-world application—helping attendees
walk away with clear actions they can implement immediately to reduce workload, improve
efficiency, and start wearing fewer hats in their business.