Episode 225
AI Employees Are Replacing Receptionists—Ken Cox on Automating Your Business for Profit & Freedom
Small businesses are losing time, customers, and profit by relying on outdated systems—especially when 60% of calls go unanswered. Ken Cox has seen this over and over. After decades in tech and entrepreneurship, he’s now helping small businesses automate their customer communication with “AI employees” that work 24/7, speak every language, and never forget your policies. The kicker? Most businesses don’t even realize how accessible this tech is—or how much it can increase their valuation and efficiency overnight.
In this episode, Ken breaks down how AI voice agents are revolutionizing service-based businesses, how to train your first AI receptionist, and what the future looks like when humans become orchestrators—not operators. Whether you’re a brick-and-mortar owner or just exploring your next business idea, this is your roadmap to the next wave of work.
Key Takeaways:
• AI Employees for Small Business: Ken explains how voice AI can answer your phone, reply to reviews, and even schedule appointments—without hiring extra staff.
• Why You’re Losing 60% of Business Calls: Learn why most businesses miss opportunities daily and how automation can fix it instantly.
• Training AI Is Easier Than You Think: If your website has the right info, your AI agent can be trained in minutes to handle customer interactions.
• Automated = More Valuable: Businesses with AI systems are not only more efficient—they’re worth double at exit.
• The $100M Mistake: Ken shares a personal story about an overlooked contract clause that cost him a fortune—and what every entrepreneur should learn from it.
About the Guest:
Ken Cox is a dynamic and accomplished President of Hostirian and the host of the Clicks and Bricks podcast. As an entrepreneur, Ken has built a successful career creating safe and happy workplaces, providing critical IT services to companies of all sizes, from small businesses to the Global 500. His commitment to trading value for value and developing products that benefit everyone involved has earned him recognition as a leading figure in the business world.
Ken is also the author of Reclaim Sobriety: The 12 Rounds of Sobriety, a transformative guide for achieving lasting sobriety. Additionally, he co-authored a chapter in Kevin Harrington’s book, Many Paths to Profit. His expertise in navigating digital privacy, modern HR strategies, product marketing, and entrepreneurship, combined with his personal journey through adversity, makes him a perfect fit for podcasts with an audience of CEOs, CTOs, founders, IT directors, and CFOs.
Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesrobbins97/
Fast Five Questions
1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “Start 3–5 service-based businesses using Inlink’s AI tools—test what works and double down.”
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Accepting a $1M buyout clause in a contract that ultimately cost $100M+ in missed revenue."
3. What is a book that you would recommend? “The Phoenix Project — a must-read for understanding systems, operations, and how to document magic into SOPs.”
4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “ChatGPT Pro — his go-to for creative writing, SOP development, and running every corner of the business.”
5. What is your definition of freedom? “The ability to act on any idea or passion—with the time, resources, and tech to make it real.”
About Jeff:
Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation
Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/
Connect with Jeff:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/
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