In this episode, I sit down with Tyler Kelley, co-founder of Slam! Agency, a marketing agency based out of Saint Louis, and a passionate entrepreneur who's dedicated to giving back through coaching and mentoring. Tyler grew up in a working-class area of North County, Saint Louis, and while his path initially seemed headed toward trades or the military, a spontaneous decision to apply for college set him on the course to entrepreneurship. We dive into his early ventures, including starting a DJ business in college, which led him to teach himself web design and SEO, foundational skills that would later shape his marketing career. Tyler shares how he bootstrapped his way into the world of digital marketing and how Slam Agency evolved into a business that helps companies elevate their market presence.

Throughout the conversation, Tyler offers powerful insights into the entrepreneurial mindset, overcoming financial challenges, and embracing technology. He talks about how the 2008 financial crisis wiped out his business, forcing him and his wife to rebuild from scratch, and the lessons they learned during that time. We also explore the future of AI in business, including the rise of autonomous agents and humanoid robots, and how these innovations will change the landscape for entrepreneurs. Tyler’s dedication to mentorship and empowering others is evident, as he shares how seeing others succeed inspired him to give back, especially in underserved communities. This episode is packed with practical advice, inspiring stories, and a glimpse into the future of business and technology.

Connect With Our Host:

Twitter: ⁠twitter.com/ItsRajTut

⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajtut/

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TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@itsrajtut

Connect with out Guest:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerkelley/

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Introduction to the episode and Tyler Kelley, co-founder of Slam! Agency.

00:01:18 – Tyler’s background: Growing up in working-class North County, Saint Louis.

00:03:05 – The options growing up: Trades or military, and how he made an unexpected decision to apply for college.

00:04:55 – Tyler reflects on how a casual conversation influenced his decision to go to college.

00:06:24 – The importance of seeing others succeed and why mentorship matters to Tyler.

00:08:48 – The start of Tyler’s entrepreneurial journey: DJing in college and launching a mobile DJ business.

00:10:27 – How learning web design and SEO set Tyler on the path to digital marketing.

00:14:21 – Facing financial loss during the 2008 crisis: Losing everything and rebuilding from scratch.

00:16:33 – Building Slam Agency: How Tyler and his team grew the agency from its early days.

00:20:17 – Tyler’s introduction to AI and how ChatGPT changed his approach to business.

00:23:16 – Practical applications of AI in communication and storytelling for entrepreneurs.

00:25:57 – How AI helps Tyler do more, not less, and why it's about leverage, not shortcuts.

00:27:26 – The future of AI: Autonomous agents, humanoid robots, and how they’ll change business forever.

00:30:01 – Why every business will need to adapt to AI and automation.

00:46:20 – Introducing the Fractional Chief AI Officer: Why this role will become essential for businesses.

00:50:01 – Tyler’s biggest lessons learned from financial hardship and the power of gratitude.

00:52:42 – Tyler’s core family values and how gratitude is a superpower for success.

This podcast is brought to you by Storyboard Living.

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