This episode tackles the unexpected grief and revelation that comes when a crucial business tool disappears. Zakia Ringgold shares her personal journey of scrambling to preserve workflows, only to discover a treasure trove of intellectual property and invaluable lessons about content, systems, and the future of AI for entrepreneurs. If you’ve ever felt like you’re not producing enough or are overwhelmed by the endless demands of content creation, tune in for a fresh perspective on leveraging what you already have. Connect with Zakia Ringgold:<ul><li><a href="https://linkedin.com/in/zakiaringgold" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li><li><a href="ZakiaRinggold.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ZakiaRinggold.com</a></li><li>Join the online community for exclusive training and support! <a href="https://thelabcollectivehq.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://thelabcollectivehq.com/</a></li></ul>

This episode tackles the unexpected grief and revelation that comes when a crucial business tool disappears. Zakia Ringgold shares her personal journey of scrambling to preserve workflows, only to discover a treasure trove of intellectual property and invaluable lessons about content, systems, and the future of AI for entrepreneurs. If you’ve ever felt like you’re not producing enough or are overwhelmed by the endless demands of content creation, tune in for a fresh perspective on leveraging what you already have.Connect with Zakia Ringgold:LinkedInZakiaRinggold.comJoin the online community for exclusive training and support! https://thelabcollectivehq.com/

Business Tech Unraveled

From Loss to Growth: Building Better Systems When Tools Shut Down

In Mentorship and Transformation, Zakia Ringgold shares a story of mentoring a young creator whose insightful work unexpectedly helped her see her own entrepreneurial journey in a new light. Through this experience, Zakia explores the impact of being seen, the importance of emotional intelligence in creative projects, and how true mentorship is rooted in giving others the support we once needed ourselves.<h3> </h3><h3>5 Key Lessons</h3><ol><li>The Power of Deep Recognition</li><li>Mentorship Isn’t One-Sided</li><li>Structure Nurtures Creativity</li><li>Finding Your Through Line</li><li>Mentorship Is About Empowering Authenticity</li></ol><h3> </h3>Connect with Zakia Ringgold!<ul><li><a href="https://ZakiaRinggold.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ZakiaRinggold.com</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/zakia-ringgold/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li></ul> Whether you’re a business owner, mentor, or creative thinker, this episode is a heartfelt reminder to honor the complexity of your journey—and to support others in doing the same.

In Mentorship and Transformation, Zakia Ringgold shares a story of mentoring a young creator whose insightful work unexpectedly helped her see her own entrepreneurial journey in a new light. Through this experience, Zakia explores the impact of being seen, the importance of emotional intelligence in creative projects, and how true mentorship is rooted in giving others the support we once needed ourselves.5 Key LessonsThe Power of Deep RecognitionMentorship Isn’t One-SidedStructure Nurtures CreativityFinding Your Through LineMentorship Is About Empowering AuthenticityConnect with Zakia Ringgold!ZakiaRinggold.comLinkedInWhether you’re a business owner, mentor, or creative thinker, this episode is a heartfelt reminder to honor the complexity of your journey—and to support others in doing the same.

Mentorship and Transformation

You built the app. Now you’re ready to let people in. But running a beta isn’t just about giving access. Without structure, it quickly turns into too many opinions, unclear direction, and feedback you can’t actually use. In this episode, I share what I learned participating in a live platform beta while preparing my own SaaS beta for Maker Studio AI. Seeing the process from both the user and founder perspective revealed what actually makes a beta work. I break down what stood out during the beta experience, including how feedback was handled, how decisions were communicated, and what pricing revealed about what the product truly values. More importantly, I share how this experience shaped how I’m structuring my own beta, from defining user roles to setting boundaries and creating a more intentional feedback loop. If you’re building right now, especially in a world where apps can be created faster than ever, this episode will help you think more clearly about how to launch your beta in a way that gives you real signal, not noise. If you’re preparing to launch something of your own, I’ll be sharing more of what I’m learning as I structure and run my beta in real time.

You built the app. Now you’re ready to let people in.But running a beta isn’t just about giving access. Without structure, it quickly turns into too many opinions, unclear direction, and feedback you can’t actually use.In this episode, I share what I learned participating in a live platform beta while preparing my own SaaS beta for Maker Studio AI. Seeing the process from both the user and founder perspective revealed what actually makes a beta work.I break down what stood out during the beta experience, including how feedback was handled, how decisions were communicated, and what pricing revealed about what the product truly values.More importantly, I share how this experience shaped how I’m structuring my own beta, from defining user roles to setting boundaries and creating a more intentional feedback loop.If you’re building right now, especially in a world where apps can be created faster than ever, this episode will help you think more clearly about how to launch your beta in a way that gives you real signal, not noise.If you’re preparing to launch something of your own, I’ll be sharing more of what I’m learning as I structure and run my beta in real time.

You built the app now what? How to run a beta without chaos!

AI-driven event personalization often looks impressive but still leaves attendees feeling uneasy, overwhelmed, or misunderstood. This episode of Business Tech Unraveled examines why many event systems break trust even when they’re powered by advanced AI. The issue isn’t the technology itself, but the timing, assumptions, and decisions those systems are making too early. In this episode, I walk through how I think about designing intelligent event systems across the attendee journey. If your event tech stack keeps getting smarter but the experience still feels off, this conversation will help you see what’s actually going wrong before you try to fix it.

AI-driven event personalization often looks impressive but still leaves attendees feeling uneasy, overwhelmed, or misunderstood. This episode of Business Tech Unraveled examines why many event systems break trust even when they’re powered by advanced AI. The issue isn’t the technology itself, but the timing, assumptions, and decisions those systems are making too early.In this episode, I walk through how I think about designing intelligent event systems across the attendee journey. If your event tech stack keeps getting smarter but the experience still feels off, this conversation will help you see what’s actually going wrong before you try to fix it.

AI Personalization Feels Impressive and Still Breaks Trust

Do you ever get stuck staring at a blank slide, wondering where to start?There’s an AI for that. In this episode of Business Tech Unraveled, we explore Gamma, an AI-powered tool that helps creators, educators, and small business owners transform outlines, prompts, or even one-line ideas into beautiful, branded presentations — in minutes.Learn how to:<ul><li>Turn a rough outline into a polished presentation with AI.</li><li>Customize tone, visuals, and brand colors for consistency.</li><li>Repurpose one idea into multiple formats — from decks to web pages and social posts.</li><li>Use AI to remove creative friction, not your human touch.</li></ul> <h3>Key Links & Resources:</h3> Try Gamma → <a href="https://links.businesstechlab.com/gamma" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://links.businesstechlab.com/gamma</a> Get the Template + Tutorial Pack →• Free with paid subscription on Substack - <a href="https://zakiaringgold.substack.com/p/the-fastest-way-to-build-a-presentation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://zakiaringgold.substack.com/p/the-fastest-way-to-build-a-presentation</a>• Or download directly for $9 at <a href="https://livesoapschool.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LiveSoapSchool.com</a><h3>Connect with Zakia:</h3> Subscribe: <a href="https://substack.com/@zakiaringgold/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://substack.com/@zakiaringgold/</a> Visit: <a href="https://livesoapschool.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LiveSoapSchool.com</a>

Do you ever get stuck staring at a blank slide, wondering where to start?There’s an AI for that.In this episode of Business Tech Unraveled, we explore Gamma, an AI-powered tool that helps creators, educators, and small business owners transform outlines, prompts, or even one-line ideas into beautiful, branded presentations — in minutes.Learn how to:Turn a rough outline into a polished presentation with AI.Customize tone, visuals, and brand colors for consistency.Repurpose one idea into multiple formats — from decks to web pages and social posts.Use AI to remove creative friction, not your human touch.Key Links & Resources: Try Gamma → https://links.businesstechlab.com/gamma Get the Template + Tutorial Pack →• Free with paid subscription on Substack - https://zakiaringgold.substack.com/p/the-fastest-way-to-build-a-presentation• Or download directly for $9 at LiveSoapSchool.comConnect with Zakia: Subscribe: https://substack.com/@zakiaringgold/ Visit: LiveSoapSchool.com

There's an AI for That: How Gamma Turns Ideas into Presentations That Sell, Teach, and Inspire

Some of us were livestreaming, building, and showing up long before digital became the standard. Not to trend—but to tell the truth. But what happens when the frameworks you quietly shared become tools others use—with no trace of your name? In this episode of Business Tech Unraveled, I unpack what it means to be the origin in a world full of echoes. I shares what gets "borrowed", why it matters, and why it's time to stop leaving your name out of your own legacy. Plus: Get access to the Live Stream Tool Comparison Guide—the resource that helped her cut through the noise and build with clarity. Download it now: <a href="https://businesstechlab.com/9-best-live-streaming-software-for-small-business-owners/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://businesstechlab.com/9-best-live-streaming-software-for-small-business-owners/</a>

Some of us were livestreaming, building, and showing up long before digital became the standard. Not to trend—but to tell the truth. But what happens when the frameworks you quietly shared become tools others use—with no trace of your name?In this episode of Business Tech Unraveled, I unpack what it means to be the origin in a world full of echoes. I shares what gets "borrowed", why it matters, and why it's time to stop leaving your name out of your own legacy.Plus: Get access to the Live Stream Tool Comparison Guide—the resource that helped her cut through the noise and build with clarity.Download it now: https://businesstechlab.com/9-best-live-streaming-software-for-small-business-owners/

Origin or Echo

You’ve got the talent, the clients, and the receipts. But are you actually running a business—or just stuck in motion? In this episode of Business Tech Unraveled, Zakia unpacks the difference between being great at what you do and actuallybeing in the business of doing business. No fluff. No motivational clichés. Just the clarity most business owners never get but desperately need. Ready to move from technician to true business owner? Download the Business of Doing Business Starter Guide for actionable steps you can take this week to shift how you operate: <a href="https://businesstechlab.com/the-business-of-doing-business-what-it-really-means-to-run-a-business-not-just-do-the-work/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://businesstechlab.com/the-business-of-doing-business-what-it-really-means-to-run-a-business-not-just-do-the-work/</a>

You’ve got the talent, the clients, and the receipts. But are you actually running a business—or just stuck in motion? In this episode of Business Tech Unraveled, Zakia unpacks the difference between being great at what you do and actuallybeing in the business of doing business. No fluff. No motivational clichés. Just the clarity most business owners never get but desperately need.Ready to move from technician to true business owner?Download the Business of Doing Business Starter Guide for actionable steps you can take this week to shift how you operate: https://businesstechlab.com/the-business-of-doing-business-what-it-really-means-to-run-a-business-not-just-do-the-work/

You're Not in Business—You're Just Busy: The Truth About Doing Business

Sometimes the hardest part isn’t starting—it’s finishing. This episode unpacks what happens when building becomes a form of protection. Behind the checklists and systems is a quiet fear: what if sharing the finished work means facing silence, or worse, rejection? For entrepreneurs caught between motion and meaning, this is a reminder that peace, not perfection, can be the goal. Submit your questions and feedback at: <a href="https://businesstechlab.com/askzakia/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://businesstechlab.com/askzakia/</a>

Sometimes the hardest part isn’t starting—it’s finishing. This episode unpacks what happens when building becomes a form of protection. Behind the checklists and systems is a quiet fear: what if sharing the finished work means facing silence, or worse, rejection? For entrepreneurs caught between motion and meaning, this is a reminder that peace, not perfection, can be the goal.Submit your questions and feedback at: https://businesstechlab.com/askzakia/

The Fear Behind The Finish Line

In this episode, I unpack something I’ve felt—but couldn’t always name: the difference between genuine support… and quiet extraction. When you’re building, teaching, and showing up in your business, not everyone who gravitates toward you has pure intentions. Some want to be close to your glow—but not the work. Others call themselves supporters, but leave you drained. This episode introduces the idea of the Quiet Anchor—a kind of presence that holds space without trying to hold you hostage. If you’ve ever felt used, overly leaned on, or just tired of performing strength for others, this one’s for you.

In this episode, I unpack something I’ve felt—but couldn’t always name: the difference between genuine support… and quiet extraction.When you’re building, teaching, and showing up in your business, not everyone who gravitates toward you has pure intentions. Some want to be close to your glow—but not the work. Others call themselves supporters, but leave you drained.This episode introduces the idea of the Quiet Anchor—a kind of presence that holds space without trying to hold you hostage.If you’ve ever felt used, overly leaned on, or just tired of performing strength for others, this one’s for you.

The Quiet Anchor: What Real Support in Business Looks Like

Selling online isn’t just about having a great product or service —it’s about having the right systems in place. You’ve got people asking how to buy, but do you have a website to send them to? Can you accept payments smoothly? Do you have a process for shipping orders? If you're a consultant, how easy is it for clients to book time with you? And if you're selling courses or eBooks, is there a simple way for people to purchase and access them instantly? In this episode of Business Tech Unraveled, I share why every entrepreneur needs a digital home base beyond social media. I'll share my own journey from losing 75,000 followers overnight to offering VEDA Shops, VEDA Booking, and VEDA Courses—solutions designed to help small business owners run their business online. How to move beyond social media and create your own digital storefront The key systems every business needs for selling products, services, or digital content Why live streaming and posting on social media alone isn’t enough—you need a backend that works Best platforms for different types of businesses and how to pick the right one Don’t let missed sales and lost opportunities hold you back. Tune in to this episode and learn how to set up your business online for long-term success. <ul><li>Learn More:</li><li>Discover how to create a stable digital home base and our solutions by visiting <a href="https://businesstechlab.com/solutions/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://businesstechlab.com/solutions/</a></li></ul> <ul><li>Tech Match Quiz:</li><li>Take the quiz on our website to identify the best tools for your business <a href="https://businesstechlab.com/find-your-tech-match/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://businesstechlab.com/find-your-tech-match/</a></li></ul>

Selling online isn’t just about having a great product or service —it’s about having the right systems in place. You’ve got people asking how to buy, but do you have a website to send them to? Can you accept payments smoothly? Do you have a process for shipping orders? If you're a consultant, how easy is it for clients to book time with you? And if you're selling courses or eBooks, is there a simple way for people to purchase and access them instantly?In this episode of Business Tech Unraveled, I share why every entrepreneur needs a digital home base beyond social media. I'll share my own journey from losing 75,000 followers overnight to offering VEDA Shops, VEDA Booking, and VEDA Courses—solutions designed to help small business owners run their business online. How to move beyond social media and create your own digital storefront The key systems every business needs for selling products, services, or digital content Why live streaming and posting on social media alone isn’t enough—you need a backend that works Best platforms for different types of businesses and how to pick the right oneDon’t let missed sales and lost opportunities hold you back. Tune in to this episode and learn how to set up your business online for long-term success.Learn More:Discover how to create a stable digital home base and our solutions by visiting https://businesstechlab.com/solutions/Tech Match Quiz:Take the quiz on our website to identify the best tools for your business https://businesstechlab.com/find-your-tech-match/

You Have a Product—Now What? The Systems You Need to Sell Online

What separates an online course that learners love from one that falls flat? In this episode of Business Tech Unraveled, host Zakia Ringgold breaks down the essential ingredients for creating impactful courses that resonate with adults. You’ll learn how to design with purpose by understanding adult learning principles, catering to different learning styles, and setting clear objectives. Zakia also shares practical tips for outlining your modules and lessons, helping you build a course that’s not just effective but transformational. Whether you’re just starting or refining an existing idea, this episode will inspire and equip you to turn your expertise into a course that makes a difference. Course Resource Hub -> <a href="https://links.businesstechlab.com/onlinecoursetoolkit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://links.businesstechlab.com/onlinecoursetoolkit</a>

What separates an online course that learners love from one that falls flat? In this episode of Business Tech Unraveled, host Zakia Ringgold breaks down the essential ingredients for creating impactful courses that resonate with adults. You’ll learn how to design with purpose by understanding adult learning principles, catering to different learning styles, and setting clear objectives. Zakia also shares practical tips for outlining your modules and lessons, helping you build a course that’s not just effective but transformational. Whether you’re just starting or refining an existing idea, this episode will inspire and equip you to turn your expertise into a course that makes a difference.Course Resource Hub -> https://links.businesstechlab.com/onlinecoursetoolkit

What Successful Online Courses Have in Common

Creating an online course that delivers results starts with understanding your audience. In this kickoff episode of her 4-part series, Zakia Ringgold dives into the critical step of validation. Whether you’re a corporate trainer or a small business owner, Zakia shares actionable strategies for uncovering what your audience truly needs, from lead magnets to LinkedIn polls. Discover how generative AI tools simplify the process, removing the guesswork and helping you build a solid foundation for your course. Learn from Zakia’s real-world examples, get inspired to take action, and download the Course Validation Blueprint to guide your next steps. This episode is packed with insights to help you turn your ideas into impact. Tune in and get ready to build something that delivers real results. Key Takeaways:<ul><li>Why validation is essential for successful courses.</li><li>How lead magnets and polls can shape your ideas.</li><li>The role of AI in simplifying and accelerating validation.</li></ul> For Your Action:Download the Course Validation Blueprint and submit your questions for a chance to have them answered live at <a href="https://links.businesstechlab.com/onlinecoursetoolkit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://links.businesstechlab.com/onlinecoursetoolkit</a>

Creating an online course that delivers results starts with understanding your audience. In this kickoff episode of her 4-part series, Zakia Ringgold dives into the critical step of validation. Whether you’re a corporate trainer or a small business owner, Zakia shares actionable strategies for uncovering what your audience truly needs, from lead magnets to LinkedIn polls.Discover how generative AI tools simplify the process, removing the guesswork and helping you build a solid foundation for your course. Learn from Zakia’s real-world examples, get inspired to take action, and download the Course Validation Blueprint to guide your next steps.This episode is packed with insights to help you turn your ideas into impact. Tune in and get ready to build something that delivers real results. Key Takeaways:Why validation is essential for successful courses.How lead magnets and polls can shape your ideas.The role of AI in simplifying and accelerating validation.For Your Action:Download the Course Validation Blueprint and submit your questions for a chance to have them answered live at https://links.businesstechlab.com/onlinecoursetoolkit

Don’t Guess—Validate: The First Step to a Successful Online Course

In this episode, we discuss the core values that drive our brand and help shape every decision we make. From the importance of empowerment through knowledge to the significance of purpose-driven growth, Zakia shares her insights to help you build a business that not only thrives but also stays true to its mission. Tune in to discover how aligning your daily actions with your core values can transform your business and community. Links Mentioned in the episode:Show Notes: https://zakiaringgold.com/podcast

In this episode, we discuss the core values that drive our brand and help shape every decision we make. From the importance of empowerment through knowledge to the significance of purpose-driven growth, Zakia shares her insights to help you build a business that not only thrives but also stays true to its mission. Tune in to discover how aligning your daily actions with your core values can transform your business and community.Links Mentioned in the episode:Show Notes: https://zakiaringgold.com/podcast

The Heart of Business: Core Values Shaping Entrepreneurial Paths

What if AI could tell your business story for you? In this episode we explore Google's NotebookLM tool as an innovative approach to storytelling through AI. Using Google’s NotebookLM tool, we turn a blog post, into this podcast while also, revealing insights from Zakia's journey of transforming challenges into a connected, purpose-driven business ecosystem. Join us for an inspiring, AI-curated conversation that brings her entrepreneurial story to life, with behind-the-scenes reflections that illustrate how a business founded in resilience can uplift an entire community. To read the full blog post visit: <a href="https://zakiaringgold.com/building-a-business-with-purpose-the-story-behind-my-brands" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://zakiaringgold.com</a>

What if AI could tell your business story for you? In this episode we explore Google's NotebookLM tool as an innovative approach to storytelling through AI. Using Google’s NotebookLM tool, we turn a blog post, into this podcast while also, revealing insights from Zakia's journey of transforming challenges into a connected, purpose-driven business ecosystem. Join us for an inspiring, AI-curated conversation that brings her entrepreneurial story to life, with behind-the-scenes reflections that illustrate how a business founded in resilience can uplift an entire community.To read the full blog post visit: https://zakiaringgold.com

From Soap to Strategy: How AI and NotebookLM Deepen the Business Journey

Today's episode focuses on the power of the Minimal Viable Product (MVP) for small business owners, a concept crucial for success. Host Zakia Ringgold shares her personal journey of creating multiple solutions within a short timeframe, offering practical steps and tools for creating products for customers and clients.

From Concept to Creation: Small Business Growth with MVP

Welcome to Business Tech Unraveled, a podcast hosted by Zakia Ringgold, where we unravel the complexities of technology for aspiring entrepreneurs. This podcast is designed for individuals who are interested in starting their own business but lack knowledge in the tech realm. will delve into various topics, offering practical advice and tips on how to leverage technology to grow and thrive in a competitive business landscape. From websites to events and online marketing and everything in between, Zakia covers it all. Her goal is to help listeners understand the power of technology and provide them with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed online.

Welcome to Business Tech Unraveled, a podcast hosted by Zakia Ringgold, where we unravel the complexities of technology for aspiring entrepreneurs. This podcast is designed for individuals who are interested in starting their own business but lack knowledge in the tech realm. will delve into various topics, offering practical advice and tips on how to leverage technology to grow and thrive in a competitive business landscape. From websites to events and online marketing and everything in between, Zakia covers it all. Her goal is to help listeners understand the power of technology and provide them with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed online.

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Business Tech Unraveled

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