In this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, host Josh Elledge talks with Len Ward, Founder and CEO of Commexis, about how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing marketing strategies. Len shares how businesses can move beyond traditional marketing models and leverage AI tools—from chatbots to custom GPTs—to streamline decision-making, improve customer experience, and drive meaningful ROI. If you’re a business leader looking to future-proof your marketing efforts, this conversation is a strategic roadmap for embracing AI-driven solutions.

Len kicks off the conversation with a personal reflection on Key West, Florida—a place he describes as laid-back, vibrant, and unlike anywhere else in the U.S. This set the tone for a bigger discussion about adaptability and shifting perspectives, which is exactly what businesses need when thinking about marketing in the AI era.

At Commexis, Len helps small and mid-sized companies transition from traditional digital marketing methods to fully integrated AI marketing stacks. These include tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and proprietary systems tailored to streamline operations and optimize campaign strategies. The goal isn’t just automation—it’s transformation.

Len points out that consumer expectations are evolving rapidly. People are accustomed to real-time answers from AI assistants, and they’re bringing that same expectation to businesses. Chatbots have become a popular entry point, offering both external customer support and internal operational efficiencies. As AI grows more sophisticated, companies need to start thinking beyond SEO and paid ads and instead create adaptive, intelligent customer experiences.

Len Ward is the Founder of Commexis and a leading expert in AI-powered business strategy. With a background that spans Wall Street, eCommerce, and performance marketing, Len now helps small and mid-sized companies deploy custom GPTs, AI workflows, and intelligent marketing systems that drive real ROI. He is also the creator of AI Field Notes, a weekly dispatch that explores how AI is quietly transforming how businesses grow, hire, and scale.

Commexis is a marketing consultancy helping companies build AI-driven systems that improve operations and performance. The firm specializes in custom GPT development, marketing automation, and internal team training. Their signature solution, “Marketing Brain GPT,” combines years of marketing data and insights into a smart, actionable tool businesses can use to optimize strategy and execution.

• Commexis Website
• Len Ward on LinkedIn
• AI Field Notes Newsletter

• Transitioning to AI Marketing: Why AI stacks are the next evolution in digital marketing strategy.
• Chatbots as a Starting Point: How businesses can use chatbots to enhance both customer service and internal workflows.
• Consumer Expectations Are Changing: As more people use AI, they expect the same responsiveness from brands.
• Rethinking Your Website: The future of websites...

In this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, host Josh Elledge speaks with Sally Facinelli, CEO of Salty Dawg Pet Salon, about how she’s building one of the most human-centric franchise models in the pet grooming industry. Sally shares her journey from leadership and mentoring to scaling a national brand, offering powerful insights into systems-driven growth, empowering franchisees, and building a business that prioritizes both customer experience and operational excellence. If you’re interested in franchising or breaking into the booming pet care space, this conversation is packed with lessons you’ll want to apply.

Sally Facinelli’s career is grounded in empowering others—especially women—to lead with confidence. As the CEO of Salty Dawg, she has taken that passion into a high-growth franchise that offers spa-quality grooming experiences for pets. Unlike traditional grooming salons, Salty Dawg is built to reduce stress for pets, using high-end products and creating a calm, consistent environment.

Sally took over after the original founder, John, passed away and has since guided the brand into its next phase of growth. Her focus? Helping franchisees succeed with well-documented systems, proven processes, and turnkey business support. Franchise owners don’t need to be groomers themselves—instead, they benefit from Salty Dawg’s expertise in staffing, operations, and customer experience, while they focus on running and scaling their business.

Franchising, Sally explains, isn’t just about replication—it’s about optimization. From franchise disclosure documents (FDDs) to lease negotiation support and supply chain discounts, Salty Dawg is designed to give entrepreneurs a head start and a strong foundation.

Sally Facinelli is the CEO of Salty Dawg Pet Salon, where she leads the company’s growth through strategic franchising. A longtime advocate for female leadership and entrepreneurship, Sally brings decades of business experience to mentoring new franchisees and building a brand rooted in compassion, quality, and operational excellence.

Salty Dawg Pet Salon is a national pet grooming franchise offering a spa-like experience for pets and a turnkey opportunity for entrepreneurs. With a focus on high-end grooming services, soundproofed salons, and expert staff training, Salty Dawg empowers franchisees with the tools and support needed to succeed in the growing pet care market.

• Salty Dawg Website
• Sally Facinelli on LinkedIn

• A Unique Grooming Model: How Salty Dawg redefines the pet salon experience with quality, comfort, and consistency.
• Systems Matter: Why operational manuals, training, and legal compliance are non-negotiables when franchising.
• No Grooming Experience Required: Franchisees focus on managing and scaling, not clipping and washing.
• Franchisee Support: From location selection to product sourcing and staff training, Salty Dawg provides hands-on help.
• Growth Potential: Franchisees can start with one...

In this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, host Josh Elledge chats with Lisa Levy, Founder and CEO of Lcubed Consulting, about how innovation and self-reliant leadership can drive business success. Lisa brings over 16 years of consulting experience to the conversation, sharing her framework for empowering teams, streamlining operations, and fostering a culture of continuous innovation. Her story—intertwining a love of live music and her journey as a bold business strategist—offers valuable perspective for entrepreneurs navigating growth and transformation.

Lisa opens up about one of her biggest passions: live music. As a lifelong groupie and advocate for joy outside of work, she shares how music fosters unity and serves as a powerful metaphor for teamwork and harmony in business. This sets the stage for the real focus of the conversation—how founders can let go of control, empower their people, and create businesses that grow without their constant oversight.

At Lcubed Consulting, Lisa helps founders overcome common delegation roadblocks, such as the fear of losing control or the belief that they are the brand. Her solution: teach leaders how to build self-reliant teams by instilling trust, clear communication, and accountability. She also introduces her “innovation engine” framework—a repeatable process that encourages idea generation, prioritization, and real-world testing to ensure businesses evolve with market demands.

Lisa’s approach isn’t about overhauling your company overnight—it’s about making intentional shifts that activate your team’s full potential. Whether you’re scaling operations or refining your strategy, her clarity calls and blueprint can help you uncover friction points and identify simple, high-impact changes.

Lisa Levy is the Founder and CEO of Lcubed Consulting, where she specializes in aligning people, processes, and technology to enable scalable business growth. A dynamic strategist and speaker, Lisa empowers business leaders to build self-sufficient teams and embed innovation into their company culture.

Lcubed Consulting partners with founders and executives to optimize internal systems, drive accountability, and spark innovation. The firm’s proven frameworks help businesses grow sustainably by reducing operational friction and empowering leadership teams to execute with clarity and confidence.

• Lcubed Consulting Website
• Lisa Levy on LinkedIn

• Live Music & Leadership: How Lisa’s passion for live music illustrates the value of unity and joy outside the boardroom.
• Letting Go of Control: Founders must learn to delegate and empower their teams to avoid burnout and stagnation.
• The Innovation Engine: Lisa’s framework for fostering consistent, meaningful innovation across an organization.
• From Chaos to Clarity: Aligning people, processes, and tech to create scalable, sustainable growth.
• Special Offer for Listeners: Access Lisa’s innovation engine blueprint and book a free 60-minute clarity call.

Lisa Levy’s episode offers a powerful reminder that innovation and...