AI-Powered Merch: Transform Your Business in 2023 | Curtis Blackmore DSH #563

The speaker discusses the rapid advancements in AI, particularly with GPT 3.5 and generative AI models, and how they are transforming various industries. He emphasizes the importance of embracing AI in business, mentioning his own experiences with starting a merchandising company called 'My Designs'. This company operates as a print-on-demand platform, automating order fulfillment and product listing creation for creators. The speaker also mentions his journey from a clothing brand to print-on-demand, highlighting the benefits of not holding inventory and the ability to scale quickly. He further discusses the integration of AI in his business, such as using GPT 4 for writing product listings and leveraging generative AI for graphic design, ultimately aiming to allow users to voice their design ideas and have them generated automatically.

This paragraph introduces a sponsored segment promoting Babel, a language learning app that offers quick lessons crafted by language experts. The speaker shares his personal experience with Babel, noting how it helped him communicate with his fiancée's family. He also discusses the effectiveness of Babel compared to traditional language learning methods, citing studies from Yale and Michigan State University. A special offer for listeners is mentioned, encouraging them to take advantage of a limited-time discount. The speaker then transitions back to discussing the future of e-commerce, particularly print-on-demand, and reveals an upcoming generative AI marketplace that will create products in real-time based on customer searches, powered by print automation.

The speaker shares his background, growing up in a polygamous community in northern Arizona, where his father had three wives and he had 36 siblings. He describes the community as disciplined and community-oriented, but also acknowledges the challenges and heartache that eventually led to its fragmentation. The speaker's father was an entrepreneur, owning various businesses in the community, which influenced the speaker's own entrepreneurial spirit. He recounts his early ventures, such as selling items on the side of the road and eventually working in his father's hardware store, which sparked his interest in computers and the internet. This early exposure to technology and entrepreneurship laid the foundation for his later business endeavors.

The speaker reflects on his experiences with video games, particularly World of Warcraft and its private servers, which taught him valuable skills such as social interaction, teamwork, and typing speed. He also mentions his involvement in creating a World of Warcraft private server, which led to significant success and financial gains. The speaker emphasizes that despite the common perception of video games as a waste of time, he believes they can provide important life skills. He also discusses his brief experience with other games like Final Fantasy and his appreciation for their storytelling.

The speaker recounts his decision to quit his corporate job and backpack through Europe for a month, inspired by books like Tim Ferris's 'The 4-Hour Workweek'. He describes his journey through various European cities, highlighting the cultural differences and personal growth he experienced. He also mentions his appreciation for Eastern Europe, particularly Serbia, where he has a team of software engineers. The speaker reflects on the importance of breaking routines and the benefits of solo travel. He also discusses his meeting with a young Serbian developer through World of Warcraft, who later became his CTO at 'My Designs'.

The speaker talks about his love for basketball and how it provides a mental break from his intense work schedule as an entrepreneur. He shares his recent injury experience, breaking a rib during a semi-final game, and his recovery process. The speaker also discusses his athletic background, including his time playing basketball in high school and his brief stint in track and field. He expresses his excitement about continuing to build his business, 'My Designs', and his aspirations for his family, including his plans to have more children.

In the final paragraph, the speaker thanks the audience for watching and hints at future content, promising to see them in the next video. He provides a brief overview of where viewers can find him, suggesting they visit his website for more information.