In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with the Founder & CEO of Ops Machine, Mitch Schwartz.

Ops Machine is a CGLCC-certified consultancy that helps small to mid-sized organizations adopt AI intentionally—amplifying human strengths rather than replacing them. Mitch has spent years mastering process design and team dynamics, now guiding organizations from "Where do we start?" to measurable AI wins while balancing automation with human impact.

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Links mentioned in this episode:

• OpsMachine.co
• Mitch on LinkedIn

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Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

• [02:35] How leaders should focus on guiding teams through AI changes instead of fearing job loss.
• [06:16] The shift from "knowledge work" to "wisdom work" and the key skills needed: connection, discernment, and emotional clarity.
• [11:44] The first question to ask when adopting AI is, “What problem do you think AI can solve?” then map processes together.
• [14:25] Big mistakes include top-down decisions, skipping collaboration, and not mapping current processes.
• [18:22] Start using AI by playing with ChatGPT, watching tutorials, and practicing prompts to build skills.
• [23:45] The second key step: map your current processes with your team to see where AI fits.
• [24:36] Final tip: document processes and involve your team to make AI implementation easier.

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In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with the Owner of Wine by Renée, Renée Sferrazza.

Renée is a passionate and dynamic force in the wine industry. A Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, she began her journey over a decade ago and has since immersed herself in every facet of the wine world. As the founder of Wine by Renée, she leverages her global network to create engaging TV segments, videos, articles, and events that resonate with both the wine-curious and seasoned enthusiasts alike. Her mission is to make wine approachable and enjoyable by breaking it down into “simple sips.”

Renée is a familiar face on Canadian television, regularly appearing as a Wine Personality on Global’s The Morning Show, CHCH, and Breakfast Television. Her reach extends internationally through platforms like the Canada’s Got Taste YouTube channel and the Tasted Television show DrinkUp. In print, she pens The Wine Effect, a monthly column for Distillery District Magazine, and contributes to ELLE Gourmet Canada, Foodism, Holr Magazine, and other notable publications.

As the voice behind Wine by Renée, one of Canada’s largest wine-focused Instagram accounts, Renée offers a fresh, romantic, and down-to-earth take on wine. Her content invites everyone to embrace the joy of a great glass—without pretension.

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Links mentioned in this episode:

• WineByRenee.com
• @wine.by.renee on Instagram

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Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

• [2:42] Renée shares how she transitioned from wine importing to launching Wine by Renée, including the discrimination she faced as a queer woman in the wine industry.
• [8:00] Discussion on how AI is impacting wine communication and how Renée uses it as a tool to free up time and boost her business.
• [12:24] Renée talks about building her personal brand during the pandemic and how she grew her Instagram following from 900 to over 27,000.
• [14:59] Calan asks how Renée balances creativity with the business side of partnerships and storytelling.
• [16:37] Renée explains her role as a translator in the wine world and why she avoids negative reviews in favor of context and accessibility.
• [17:35] A conversation about Barefoot’s Pride wine sparks a broader discussion on accessibility, inclusivity, and the purpose of wine in everyday life.
• [18:48] Renée shares practical advice for turning a passion into a brand, including getting paid for your work, offering value to loyal clients, and letting go of ideas that don’t sell.

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In this episode of The Business Gay Podcast, host Calan Breckon speaks with Ricardo Gattas-Moras.

Ricardo is a dynamic marketing strategist, award-winning corporate leader, and founder of Poppy Marketing and Consulting. With over 17 years in Fortune 500 tech under his belt, Ricardo now focuses on empowering small businesses, particularly Latino and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, to build bold, authentic brands through storytelling, automation, and smart strategy. He's also the author of The Rainbow Bee, a children's book that celebrates identity and courage.

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► Today’s Sponsor is Make.com - easy AI automation and development

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Links mentioned in this episode:

• Poppymarketingandconsulting.com
• Ricardo on LinkedIn

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Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

• [1:57] Small business owners waste time on tasks like emails and lead tracking that can be easily automated.
• [3:59] Aiming to appeal to everyone weakens branding, clarity and focus are key.
• [7:42] Use ChatGPT to build client personas and make automation feel personal and human.
• [10:28] A welcome email sequence works for both large companies and solo entrepreneurs.
• [12:12] Embrace your identity as a strength. Authentic branding attracts ideal clients.
• [14:07] With just five hours a week, focus on clear messaging, email automation, and lead capture.
• [20:01] Test different AI tools to find what works best and build a custom automation stack.

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