Is AI Right for Your Business? Insights from Laurel Robbins of Bold Peak Marketing
Imagine: you’re juggling a growing business, trying to stand out in a noisy market, and someone tells you, “AI can help!” If your first thought is, “Great…but how?”—this feature is for you.
Today, we’re spotlighting Laurel Robbins, the founder of Bold Peak AI Marketing, who pivoted from running a successful hiking-adventure company to embracing AI. By leveraging tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney, Laurel discovered that AI doesn’t just save time—it enhances creativity, boosts authenticity, and helps women entrepreneurs (especially those over 40) thrive in a tech-driven era often dominated by younger voices.
Meet Laurel Robbins
Laurel Robbins is no stranger to entrepreneurship. She’s spent almost 15 years running Monkeys and Mountains, a hiking-adventure company, before turning her focus to AI about two years ago. Today, her venture Bold Peak AI Marketing demystifies AI for fellow business owners who want practical, results-driven solutions without drowning in tech jargon. Below, Laurel shares her journey, the challenges she’s noticed among women entrepreneurs, and how to make AI work for you—even if you’re not a “tech person.”
The Interview
Q1: Laurel, for those who aren't familiar with your work, tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey in the world of AI and entrepreneurship.
Laurel Robbins: I’ve been an entrepreneur for almost 15 years, running Monkeys and Mountains, a hiking-adventure company. But about two years ago, I started experimenting with AI—and I was blown away by how much time it saved me and how it helped me improve. At first, I used AI to write social media posts, improve newsletters, and refine my website copy. What used to take hours now took minutes, all while keeping my brand’s unique voice intact.
Then I started playing around with Midjourney for visuals and even dipped my toe into e-commerce. While that particular venture didn’t take off as I’d hoped, the lessons were invaluable. For many entrepreneurs, especially some women, AI can feel intimidating. I get it—I was skeptical at first, too. But I quickly realized AI isn’t about replacing creativity; it’s about enhancing it. Now, with BoldPeak AI Marketing, I help others embrace AI as a co-creation tool so they can work smarter, not harder.
Q2: You've carved a unique path by focusing on empowering women entrepreneurs over 40 with AI. What inspired you to specialize in this area, and what experiences led you to where you are today?
Laurel Robbins: A lot of the AI conversation I saw was dominated by young men who are obsessed with the technology itself—but for me, it was never about the tech. It was about results. Could AI help me be more productive? Save time? Get better outcomes in my business? That’s what mattered.
As I started using AI and seeing the benefits firsthand, I figured I couldn’t be the only one who felt this way. And sure enough, when I started talking to other women entrepreneurs over 40, I heard the same things over and over: “I know AI is important, but I don’t have time to figure it out,” and “I tried AI, but it sounded too robotic.” They weren’t excited about AI—they were running businesses and needed practical, no-fluff solutions that felt natural and aligned with their brand.
That’s when I realized my approach was unique. I don’t believe in using AI to replace creativity—I use it to leverage your genius zone, turning your expertise into something scalable. Whether it’s breaking down a big idea into actionable steps or refining your messaging so it feels like you, my goal is to make AI work for you, not the other way around.
Q3: You mentioned a gap you noticed with women over 40 feeling left out of the AI revolution. Can you elaborate on the specific challenges and what you believe this demographic faces in adopting AI, and how can these challenges be overcome?
Laurel Robbins: One of the biggest challenges women entrepreneurs over 40 face with AI is simply where to start. They’re busy running businesses, juggling responsibilities, and AI feels like yet another thing to learn—one that comes with a steep (and tech-heavy) learning curve. Then there’s the intimidation factor. So much of the AI conversation is driven by tech enthusiasts who focus on the technology itself rather than its practical applications.
Many women worry that using AI means sacrificing authenticity or that it won’t sound like them. Others assume it’s only useful for big corporations with massive data sets, not small businesses.
The best way to overcome these challenges? Start small.
Pick one task that eats up too much time—whether it’s writing social media posts or drafting a newsletter—and let AI help. Refine the output, build confidence, and see how much time it saves. Once that one task feels easier, use that extra time to explore the next AI-powered solution. Small, consistent wins turn AI from something intimidating into something empowering.
Q4: What's one actionable piece of advice you'd give to women entrepreneurs over 40 who feel intimidated or overwhelmed by the prospect of incorporating AI into their businesses?
Laurel Robbins: In addition to the starting-small tip mentioned above, make AI work for you. One of the best ways to do this is by creating a CustomGPT tailored to your business. Upload your brand voice, goals, products, services, and values, then have it tackle a specific task—like writing your newsletter.
When you see how quickly it drafts an email that actually sounds like you, it’s a game-changer. And since regularly emailing your list moves the needle for so many businesses, this one small step can have a big impact. Once you’ve mastered one AI-powered task, you’ll be amazed at how easily you can build from there.
Q5: You've emphasized the importance of maintaining a personal touch while using AI. How can businesses strike a balance between automation and authenticity in their marketing efforts?
Laurel Robbins: Striking the right balance between automation and authenticity comes down to using AI as a tool to enhance—not replace—your unique voice. That’s why CustomGPTs are so powerful. You can train them with everything that matters—your brand voice, values, specific details about your business, even funny insider stories—so that when it generates content, it actually feels like you.
But authenticity isn’t just about consistency—it’s also about human moments. That’s why mixing in spontaneous, off-the-cuff posts is key. Sharing personal stories, behind-the-scenes glimpses, or unfiltered thoughts keeps your brand real and relatable. AI helps maintain a steady presence, but those unscripted moments? That’s what truly connects with your audience.
Q6: Can you share an example of a time when you helped a woman-owned business successfully implement AI, and what were the tangible results?
Laurel Robbins: One of my favorite success stories is helping a woman entrepreneur in an industry where women are the minority create her first CustomGPT. She was new to AI but wanted a way to stand out. We built a GPT tailored to her niche, and within a week, it ranked #6 in the GPT Store—a huge win considering the competition.
The impact? Over 100 users in the first week, leading to 30 new sign-ups for her membership. It was a level of visibility she never would have achieved through traditional SEO alone. She was thrilled, and it was a perfect example of how AI can open doors that might otherwise be out of reach.
Q7: Many small businesses operate on tight budgets. What are some affordable AI tools or strategies that can make a significant difference for them?
Laurel Robbins: For small businesses on a tight budget, AI doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective. One of the best investments is the ChatGPT Pro plan for just $20/month, which allows you to create CustomGPTs—tailored AI assistants that save time, streamline work, and even attract new customers. It’s the best $20 a month you’ll ever spend.
Here are 3 must-have CustomGPTs every small business owner should create:
1. Private CustomGPT: Your Personal AI Business Coach – Get instant brainstorming, strategy insights, and content feedback, saving you thousands on coaching or consulting.
2. Internal CustomGPT: Streamline Your Team’s Work – Automate tasks like onboarding clients and employees, drafting social media posts, or writing newsletters, freeing up hours every week.
3. Public CustomGPT: Attract Leads & Build Awareness – Publish a valuable GPT in the GPT Store or embed it on your website to serve as a lead magnet and resource for potential clients. It’s amazing that for just $20/month, these AI-powered tools can save time, boost productivity, and grow your business.
Q8: Looking ahead, what emerging trends in AI marketing should women entrepreneurs be paying attention to, and how can they prepare for the future?
Laurel Robbins: AI marketing is evolving fast, and the key for women entrepreneurs is to focus on practical, results-driven trends—not just the hype. Here are three game-changers to watch:
1. Custom AI Assistants for Branding & Engagement – More businesses are using CustomGPTs to create brand-aligned AI tools for content, customer engagement, and lead generation. Entrepreneurs who develop their own AI assistants now will gain a competitive edge as AI-powered interactions become the norm.
2. AI-Powered Personalization – Consumers expect content tailored to them. AI makes it easier than ever to create hyper-personalized emails, social media posts, and offers—helping small businesses compete with big brands. Now’s the time to experiment with AI-driven marketing automation that speaks directly to your audience.
3. The Rise of AI Marketplaces – The GPT Store and other AI marketplaces are growing fast. Businesses that create valuable AI tools and publish them publicly can generate brand awareness, attract leads, and even monetize their expertise. Entrepreneurs should consider how they can position themselves as early adopters in this space.
How to Prepare? Start small. Experiment with CustomGPTs, refine your AI-generated content to keep it authentic, and stay curious. AI isn’t here to replace human creativity—it’s here to amplify it. The businesses that embrace it now will be the ones leading the future.
Q9: What's your ultimate vision for the future of women entrepreneurship in the age of AI, and what role do you see BoldPeak playing in that future?
Laurel Robbins: I want to see more women entrepreneurs not just succeeding but doing it with greater ease, confidence, and balance. Too often, success comes at the cost of burnout—AI has the power to change that. By automating time-consuming tasks and enhancing creativity, women can focus on what they do best while scaling their businesses in a way that feels sustainable and fulfilling.
I also believe that some women approach AI differently than men. While much of the AI conversation is about speed and automation, women tend to prioritize connection, storytelling, and strategy—using AI as a tool to enhance their expertise rather than replace human touch.
I’m excited to see how women continue to apply AI in innovative ways that go beyond traditional tech-driven narratives. At BoldPeak Marketing, our role is to make AI accessible, practical, and results-driven for women entrepreneurs. By helping them leverage AI to amplify their genius zone, simplify the overwhelm, and turn big ideas into actionable strategies, we’re paving the way for a future where women don’t just compete—they lead.
Q10: Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Laurel Robbins: Want to see a CustomGPT in action? Try our Fast-Track Entrepreneur AI Goals Coach—a free tool designed to help entrepreneurs set and achieve their goals faster. Plus, it’s a great way to experience a CustomGPT firsthand, giving you ideas on how to create your own. Start fast-tracking your goals today!
Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs
Time-Saving Superpower
AI tools like ChatGPT Pro and Midjourney can drastically reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks, freeing you up for higher-level strategy.
Authenticity Over Automation
Don’t lose your brand’s voice. Train AI models on your unique style, values, and story, then review the output to ensure it remains genuine.
Start Small, Scale Big
Identify one task that’s eating up your workday—like writing newsletters—and let AI handle it. Once you’re comfortable, expand to other tasks.
CustomGPTs as a Game-Changer
From private brainstorming to public lead generation, creating CustomGPTs can streamline processes, build brand awareness, and attract new customers.
Women Over 40: Embrace the Opportunity
Don’t let tech jargon intimidate you. Practical steps, small wins, and a focus on results make AI approachable and empowering.
Laurel Robbins’ journey proves that AI isn’t some soulless, tech-driven force—it’s a tool that can amplify an entrepreneur’s creativity, brand authenticity, and impact. By starting small, focusing on real business outcomes, and infusing AI with your brand’s unique personality, you can scale your business without sacrificing that personal touch.
Whether you’re eyeing CustomGPTs, dabbling in Midjourney, or simply curious about AI’s future, Laurel’s experience shows how entrepreneurs can navigate the tech landscape on their own terms. After all, success isn’t just about working harder; with AI in your toolkit, you can work smarter, too.