S18: E14: If I Were Starting a Business in 2026, This is How I'd Do It
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In this candid and reflective episode, host Jill from *Old Fashioned On Purpose* shares her strategic blueprint for launching or relaunching a business in 2026, drawing from her own evolution from a lonely stay-at-home mom in 2010 to a seasoned online creator navigating today’s saturated, AI-driven digital landscape. She reflects on how the internet’s 'Wild West' era allowed for accidental success with minimal polish, but now demands intentional, human-centered strategies. Jill outlines five core principles: (1) focus on a specific problem or niche to avoid the 'red ocean' of competition; (2) show up as your authentic self—your unique voice and imperfections are your greatest assets; (3) leverage AI as a tool, not a replacement, by focusing on what humans excel at: lived experience, curation, storytelling, and community; (4) commit to consistent, disciplined effort, understanding that growth comes from repetition and data collection, not instant virality; and (5) embrace simplicity—build a minimum viable product, avoid overproduction, and prioritize authenticity over polish. She shares personal examples from her relaunch of her online platforms and her soda fountain business to illustrate how specificity, humanity, and simplicity create lasting impact.
Solve a specific, real problem for a clearly defined audience—broad content attracts no one.
Your authenticity and unique voice are your most powerful marketing tools in an AI-saturated world.
AI can’t replicate lived experience, human curation, or emotional connection—double down on those.
Consistency and repetition matter more than perfection; every post is data, not a performance.
Start simple: a Google Doc is often more trusted than a flashy PDF—simplicity builds trust and sustainability.
…and 2 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Why This Episode Matters: A Relaunch & a Vision for 2026
Jill introduces the episode as a personal manifesto for starting or relaunching a business in 2026, sharing her journey from a lonely, isolated mom in 2010 to a creator redefining her purpose. She reflects on how the internet has changed and why old strategies no longer work.
The Wild West Is Gone: Lessons from the Past
Jill recounts the early days of her blog, when low competition, forgiving algorithms, and raw authenticity led to unexpected success. She contrasts that era with today’s saturated, algorithm-driven, AI-heavy landscape where visibility demands strategy and specificity.
Principle 1: Solve a Real Problem or Speak to a Specific Person
“You don’t need to speak to everyone. And this is the biggest mistake I see people make: they think they have to serve everybody. But if we serve everybody, we actually end up serving no one.”
Principle 2: Show Up as Yourself—Your Greatest Selling Point
“Bland competence is no longer enough. Now we’re craving human connection and authenticity and human takes.”
Principle 3: Use AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement
“We’re still drawn to human-to-human connection. We want the stories. We want the real life trial and error.”
“The goal isn’t to compete—it’s to become so unmistakably you that your ideal people feel seen and drawn to you.”
“We’re still drawn to human-to-human connection. We want the stories. We want the real life trial and error.”
“Bland competence is no longer enough. Now we’re craving human connection and authenticity and human takes.”
Host
jill
person
ai
other
homesteading
other
old fashioned on purpose
media
soda fountain
other
the prairie homestead
product
other
other
meal craft method
product
heritage cooking crash course
other
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