By Karma Hunter
AI Marketing Strategist | Founder of KARMADNA | Business Development Advisor, UNLV Office of Economic Development, Nevada SBDC

AI is Here—Time to Get on Board or Get Left Behind

Look, AI isn’t coming—it’s already here, and it’s moving fast. If your business is still acting like it’s 2015, we need to have a serious talk. I’ve spent over two decades in marketing and tech, and I’ve seen how businesses either evolve or get left behind like Blockbuster in the Netflix era. AI is shaking up everything from marketing and automation to customer experience and data analytics, and if you’re not using it yet, you’re leaving money on the table.

That’s why I’m building an AI department at Nevada SBDC, UNLV Office of Economic Development—because small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs deserve access to AI-powered innovation without the confusion and corporate fluff. Whether you’re looking to streamline operations, personalize customer experiences, or just figure out how AI can actually help (without replacing humans—relax), I’m here to help you make AI work for you.

The $35K AI Challenge: Pitch, Innovate, and Win Big

Alright, let’s talk about free money (okay, not totally free, but pretty close). The AI Pitch Competition, hosted by Nevada SBDC in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and PREDICTif Solutions, is happening on April 16, 2025 at Black Fire Innovation in Las Vegas. This is your shot to pitch an AI-driven idea that can actually make an impact. If you win? You’ll walk away with up to $35K in AWS partner funding to turn that vision into reality.

And no, you don’t need to be some AI engineer locked in a basement writing code. We’re looking for any business at any stage that will apply AI strategically—automation, predictive analytics, marketing, operations, even completely new business models. If AI can improve it, we want to hear about it.

Not pitching? Come anyway. The event is open to the public—grab a drink, snack on some appetizers, and watch AI innovation happen live. Who knows, you might leave with a few game-changing ideas of your own.

Tech Alley & Innovation Essentials: Because AI Won’t Market Itself

At Tech Alley Las Vegas, I lead Innovation Essentials, where I teach founders and entrepreneurs how to actually use AI in a way that makes them money. This month, I’m talking about AI-Driven Business Planning for Tech Founders—because having AI isn’t enough; you need to know how to monetize it, market it, and scale it without running yourself into the ground.

Fact: Businesses that don’t evolve with AI are already losing to those that do. If you’re still manually running every aspect of your business, it’s not a flex—it’s an unnecessary struggle. Let AI do the boring stuff so you can focus on growing, innovating, and maybe even taking a break once in a while.

Why AI is Non-Negotiable (Unless You Like Falling Behind)

AI isn’t just a buzzword, and it’s definitely not just for big corporations with deep pockets. It’s the most powerful business tool we’ve ever had, and businesses that ignore it are setting themselves up to be irrelevant. AI is transforming marketing, customer engagement, automation, and business intelligence. This isn’t optional anymore—it’s survival.

That’s exactly why I built Karmadna, my AI marketing automation agency. Because I know AI can automate, optimize, and scale businesses—but only when it’s done right. And trust me, most people aren’t doing it right. That’s why we customize AI strategies to fit each business instead of slapping generic AI tools on problems and hoping for the best.

At my agency, we help businesses manage social media, create content strategies, run AI-driven ad campaigns, and build brand strategies that actually convert. We train business owners and teams so they can confidently use AI instead of feeling overwhelmed every time a new tool drops. We build custom AI agents and automations to streamline operations and increase revenue without making things more complicated than they need to be. AI is only as good as the way it’s used, and that’s where we come in—to make AI work for you, not against you.

The goal? Less stress. More efficiency. More profits.

Why This Matters to Me

Helping businesses win isn’t just my job—it’s who I am. I’ve spent my life solving problems, fixing inefficiencies, and turning chaos into strategy (partly because my ADHD brain thrives on making sense of messes). AI is the biggest opportunity we’ve had to help businesses grow faster, smarter, and with less stress—but only if we actually teach people how to use it.

That’s why I’m building the AI department at UNLV’s Office of Economic Development. That’s why I’m running this pitch competition. Because business owners shouldn’t have to struggle when AI can make things easier, more profitable, and—dare I say—actually fun.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re playing catch-up with technology, I see you. But let’s be real—you don’t have to stay stuck. AI is here, and I’m here to help you use it the right way.

Apply for the AI Pitch Competition (Or Just Watch and Learn)

If you have an AI-driven idea, this is your moment. Applications are open NOW for the Las Vegas AI Pitch Competition, hosted by Nevada SBDC, AWS, and PREDICTif Solutions.

📅 Competition Date: April 16, 2025
📍 Location: Black Fire Innovation, 8400 W Sunset Rd Suite 400, Las Vegas, NV 89113
💰 Funding Available: Up to $35K in AWS partner funding

🔹 Apply here: https://nevadasbdc.org/event/ai-pitch-competition/

Even if you’re not pitching, show up anyway. This is a chance to network, learn, and maybe even steal some brilliant ideas for your own business. Plus, did I mention snacks and drinks?

🚀 AI isn’t just the future—it’s the now. Let’s build businesses that actually thrive in it.