A decade ago, Jessica Spencer took a 6-hour road trip from Atlanta to New York. She decided, like many other road warriors to keep herself entertained with podcasts. Jessica first heard The Smart Passive income Podcast on that trip. It’s still running every week with Pat Flynn at the microphone. Pat Flynn’s customer-centric approach impressed Jessica. Jessica did not realize, while her car floated down the Georgia highway in a gentle breeze, where her podcast would take her. She found SPI All-Access Pass nine years later and, her entrepreneurial journey was forever changed.
A Proponent of Artificial Intelligence
Jessica, who calls herself a computer geek, quickly recognized the power that AI technology could have on the way people work, live and operate their businesses. The journey began with a IBM Watson Certification through Coursera. Jessica created a chatbot and a model that could identify different dog breeds. She says, “It has opened up so many opportunities.” She began exploring AI’s ability to write written content and custom code for website, among other things. The real breakthrough was when her and husband, who is a 6th-grade teacher began to talk about what AI can do for him. This conversation became the basis for an online course for teachers on ChatGPT.
Jessica is a strong advocate of AI. She says, “I’m passionate about helping thousands of people improve their lives through the use of AI and other technology in a genuine and aligned manner.” Jessica has a personal goal of bringing transparency to political investing and raising awareness about the foster-to adopt system. She is passionate about this cause. Jessica is a mother of five and does it all, If asked how she manages it, Jessica laughs, and replies, “I make sure to take my ADHD medication.” Then she adds, “My amazing husband Noah has always been so supportive and wonderful in my entrepreneurial journey.” It’s something I have been working towards. Recently, I started blocking time in my calendar to do activities with my kids. Noah and I also have started to make date nights more frequent. “It’s very easy to become caught up in the daily rush of tasks, so it is important that I stay aware of how my time is spent to make sure it aligns with my overall priorities.” She needed a place where she could get inspired, ask questions, meet other entrepreneurs and develop critical skills to help her grow her business. The
All-Access Pass was SPI’s community-driven learning platform built on community-driven classes. She found that she was immersed in a community of inspirational people, which she could reach from anywhere. She decided, as she built her LLC Penguin Connective to continue to grow, to join the SPI Pro Community, a community geared toward established entrepreneurs. She says, “It’s amazing to be a part where people are so supportive and encouraging each other. You can see the possibilities.”
It’s really motivating because there’s accountability.
Jessica credits the level of engagement with SPI Pro for her success. She’s discovered that SPI communities are a great place to go for more than just a quick response or validation. They’re a place she can engage in and dig deeper on various topics via message threads and mastermind calls. She says that people take an interest in one another’s lives, rather than just liking things to gain visibility. She has been able connect one-on-one with members and open up new collaboration opportunities. She says that “there is a greater level of connectivity than I have found anywhere else previously.”
Jessica is not shy about expressing how the community helped her to feel more supported. The most significant change she has experienced, however, is her attitude. When I first became an entrepreneur I assumed that I would be able run with it. I already had an MBA and a marketing background, as well as nearly 20 years of corporate experience under my belt. What I didn’t expect was how much mindset work I needed to do. “Imposter Syndrome is a Bear.”
Jessica gained more clarity and direction through one-on-one conversations with members. This helped her realize her next steps, and discover deeper work that lay ahead. Her experience gave her a new perspective about the entrepreneurial journey. She now sees “failure’ as a chance to grow and learn.
A podcast, a community, and a beautiful future
Jessica realized that she had never thought about starting a show until she spoke with some other members. The community, despite her describing herself an introvert helped Jessica realize she needed to reach a larger audience with these interesting conversations about AI. She was able to share her knowledge with a wide audience because she is part of an active community of entrepreneurs and podcasters. Many community members were invited as guests and the AI genie show was created. Jessica has created a community to help others leverage AI in order to have a positive impact on the world.
AI Explorers, a community that aims to demystify AI and open up a new world of possibilities beyond the traditional path of content production, was created. She credits SPI’s Community Business Blueprint as a key factor in her success. She says that sometimes entrepreneurs feel as if they are just throwing spaghetti against the wall and seeing what sticks. After completing that particular course, I felt I was on the right track to create a solid foundation. Jessica is currently working on a course about AI for musicians, and another one on AI for business owners. She says, “I’d like to create amazing memories with my family while building us a secure future on our terms.” She’s on the right track with a community that supports her.
