AKB² Small Business Marketing Dorothy Vernon-Brown

09/01/2026

AI was supposed to give us time back.

So, why does it sometimes feel like we're just using that extra capacity to do even MORE?

My latest article explores The Subtraction Principle - a different way to think about AI, productivity and our most valuable currency - TIME.

Before adding another took. task or automation, maybe the question you should start with is: What can I STOP doing?

Would love to hear what you think.

Drop in the comments.

Wow! Welcome to September. Last week, I ran one of my very unscientific LinkedIn polls and I asked: If AI made you 30% more productive, what would you MOST want back? 41% said fewer repetitive tasks.

06/23/2026

The Knicks had the playoff run.

Jordyn Woods had "the bag".

Small business owners and entrepreneurs should be paying attention to why that bag became something people remembered, repeated and talked about.

Read on to learn the full story.

The Knicks had the playoff run. Jordyn Woods had "the bag". Small business owners and entrepreneurs should be paying attention to why that bag became something people remembered, repeated and talked about. Read on to learn the full story.

02/24/2026

I had something completely different planned for this week. Then I read a newsletter that was so compelling, I had to share it immediately.

If you've been showing up consistently on LinkedIn and quietly wondering why nobody seems to be seeing your content anymore, you are not imagining it.

Something significant shifted and every woman entrepreneur needs to know about it. See link in comment,

01/27/2026

Guess what?

Microsoft and Google just moved the "buy button" inside AI search.

hat means your next client might never visit your website. Their AI agent will decide if you make the shortlist based on how clear (or vague) your offer is.

I'm breaking down what this means for you and the 3-step audit you can do TODAY.

Check the comment for the link to the article.

01/13/2026

Hot take: AI didn’t kill content. It made thinking more valuable.

Ideas use to be dime a dozen and ex*****on was the real bottleneck.

Ex*****on is easy now.

Drafts show up instantly. Content is endless.

The constraint isn’t production.

It’s judgment.

The great news for seasoned business owners and entrepreneurs is that judgment, your POV and lived experience is your advantage.

So… what’s one decision, belief, or “line in the sand” you refuse to outsource to AI?

01/13/2026

2026 update: This page is evolving.

Over time you'll notice the transition from AKB² Small Business Marketing to Dorothy Vernon-Brown - my personal brand.

AKB² isn't disappearing; I'm just putting my name front and centre.

AI is no longer "nice to have" in 2026 it's basic business infrastructure.

It's how you'll compete this year...and I'm stepping fully into this leadership role.

My mission isn't changing: Help seasoned (women) business owners and entrepreneurs automate smartly and scale without burnout by leveraging the power of AI.

The shift is already underway. Stick with me here Facebook peeps.

01/12/2026

Most people are using AI the wrong way. 🛑 Here is the 3-question filter you need before you hit 'generate...

In this clip, Dorothy Vernon Brown (AI Marketing & Automation Strategist) and Yvette Elliott (Agentic AI & Digital Leader) break down the 3-Question Framework you must ask before implementing AI—especially during the busy holiday season. 🎄✨

Before you dive into the latest tools, ask yourself:

What pain point am I actually solving? 🔍

What specific advantages will this bring? 📈

Is AI truly better than a manual approach right now? 🤔 (Because sometimes, manual still wins!)

Stop chasing every new feature and start focusing on strategic AI implementation that actually moves the needle.

Key Takeaways:
Pain Point First: Don't use AI for the sake of AI. Identify the problem first.

The "Manual" Check: AI isn't always the answer. Evaluate if the human touch is more effective for your specific task.

Agentic AI: Move beyond simple prompts to automated workflows that save you hours.

What’s one task you’re thinking about handing over to AI this month? Let’s discuss in the comments! 👇

01/12/2026

In this clip, Dorothy Vernon Brown (AI Marketing & Automation Strategist) and Yvette Elliott (Agentic AI & Digital Leader) break down the 3-Question Framework you must ask before implementing AI - all year round,

So, before you dive into the latest tools, ask yourself:

1. What pain point am I actually solving?

2. What specific advantages will this bring?

3. Is AI truly better than a manual approach right now? 🤔 (Because sometimes, manual still wins!)

Stop chasing every new feature and start focusing on strategic AI implementation that actually moves the needle.

Key Takeaways:
Pain Point First: Don't use AI for the sake of AI. Identify the problem first.

The "Manual" Check: AI isn't always the answer. Evaluate if the human touch is more effective for your specific task.

Agentic AI: Move beyond simple prompts to automated workflows that save you hours.

What’s one task you’re thinking about handing over to AI this month? Let’s discuss in the comments! 👇

10/17/2025

I've been having the same conversation over and over lately.

At industry events. On Zoom calls with peers. With workshop attendees...colleagues I have know for years.

Successful, seasoned business owners, women who've built solid reputations and businesses that work.

They are all saying some version of: "I feel like I'm supposed to become a tech expert overnight just to stay in the AI game."

The patterns are recognizable:

Frustrated that after decades of mastering your craft, you're now expected to become a tech 'bruh' when you just want to leverage what you already know more effectively.

Overwhelmed by the parade of AI tools and new features that change every month, never sure which ones actually matter for your business.

Concerned that while you're still figuring out the basics, competitors are already weaponizing AI to win and pull ahead.

Skeptical that you can master this game fast enough to stay the go-to expert your clients depend on.

If any of this lands, you're exactly who I built the AI SHERO Advantage FREE Workshop for.

This isn't about turning you into a prompt engineer or teaching you "50 gazillion ChatGPT hacks."

It's 90 minutes of strategic clarity - cutting through the noise to build YOUR personalized roadmap.

The one that fits your business model, your clients, your actual revenue opportunities.

You'll leave with:
⚡️Your Money-Making Moments blueprint
⚡️Your Competitive Weapon toolkit
⚡️Your "Multiply vs. Manage" action plan

This isn't AI 101.

It's strategy for women who've already proven they can build and are ready to multiply.

When: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Time: 3 p.m. EST
Where: Online via Zoom

Registration link in comments below.

For seasoned women business owners and second-act entrepreneurs.

Your decades of experience are your competitive advantage. Let's super charge them with AI.

See you then?

06/03/2025

This is what happens when a 67-year old ex-con CEO drops the act and shows up as his real self.

Steve Madden just proved it's this ONE thing most of us are too scared to try that actually gets attention.

True?

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

In a world obsessed with youth, Stepford Wives polished personal brands and perfectly curated content, blah, blah, a 67-year-old fashion CEO just reminded us what authentic marketing actually looks like. Picture this: A 67-year-old ex-con fashion mogul sits down for a podcast interview wearing a bas