“Google Owns You” — Why Ken Cox Is Building the Anti-Big-Tech Platform
In this episode of Breakthrough Innovation, we sit down with Ken Cox — president of River City Internet Group, host of the award-winning Clicks and Bricks podcast, and founder of InLink, a radically human-centered business platform designed to empower solopreneurs. Ken shares the highs, lows, and hard truths of entrepreneurship — from building data centers to launching boxing gyms, losing millions, and coming back stronger. 💡 Why per-user pricing and tech lock-in are crushing small businesses 🔐 What real data privacy means — and why Google and Amazon aren’t offering it 🛠️ How InLink offers enterprise-grade CRM, hosting, and AI tools at a price solopreneurs can actually afford 💬 Why most startup ideas won’t survive contact with customers — and why that’s OK 💥 The brutal reality of losing $4M and a cofounder — and what it taught him about resilience If you’re a founder, freelancer, or operator who wants to win without selling your soul (or your data), this is a must-listen. Thanks for tuning in to Breakthrough Innovation! Want to subscribe to the podcast? Have feedback to share? Connect with us on Spotify or iTunes and leave us a review—we’d love to hear from you!
AI Business Strategies & Small Business Tech Stack for Entrepreneurship Success
Serial entrepreneur Ken Cox reveals AI business strategies that transform small business ventures into profit powerhouses! Discover cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools, investment strategies, and entrepreneurship mindset shifts that drive real wealth building. From privacy-first tech solutions to automated business strategies, Ken shares insider finance secrets every entrepreneur needs.In this power-packed episode, serial entrepreneur and InLink.com founder Ken Cox drops game-changing insights on: ✅ AI Business Automation – Revolutionary strategies for small business tech stacks ✅ Investment Mindset – From $50K crypto exit to $150M lessons learned ✅ Entrepreneurship Journey – Homeless to successful business venture creator ✅ Privacy-First Finance – Why data protection drives long-term wealth strategy ✅ Small Business ROI – $97/month tools that replace $10K marketing setups ✅ Personal Finance Transformation – Core values that prevent business failure 🔥 EXCLUSIVE TOOLS MENTIONED:InLink.com – Complete business automation platform10GPT.com – Custom AI assistants for entrepreneursPrivacy Policy Grading System – Enterprise data protectionKen’s raw story of resilience—from living above a bar to building million-dollar businesses—proves that with the right AI strategies, money mindset, and business venture approach, anyone can achieve financial freedom. 💡 KEY TAKEAWAYS:How AI transforms small business marketing and customer serviceWhy privacy protection is crucial for sustainable wealth buildingThe mindset shifts that separate successful entrepreneurs from dreamersSmart investing lessons from crypto wins and lossesCore values framework that prevents costly business mistakes 🌍 We’ve officially broken into the GLOBAL TOP 10% on ListenNotes!The Bricks and Banks Podcast is now ranked among the world’s most influential shows on growth mindset, leadership and business strategy — and we’re just getting started. 🔗 Affiliate Power Partners: (Support our podcast by exploring these powerful tools!) ✅ Create stunning presentations with Gamma: https://try.gamma.app/BricksandBanks 🛍️ Explore more powerful business resources via the Stan Store: https://stan.store/k-demsconsulting Connect with Ken Cox: 🌐 Website: KenCox.com 🔗 InLink.com – AI Business Platform 📖 Books: “Reclaimed Sobriety” & “Many Past the Profit” (with Kevin Harrington) 🎙️ Clicks and Bricks Podcast Don’t miss this masterclass in AI-powered entrepreneurship! Like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more game-changing business strategies.#BricksAndBanks #AIBusiness #SmallBusinessTech #EntrepreneurshipPodcast #BusinessAutomation #InvestmentStrategy #WealthBuilding #FinancialFreedom #StartupAdvice #BusinessMindset
Humans & Computers: Out of the Awkward Dating Phase
By Ken Cox Let’s face it—our relationship with computers has mirrored the stages of a very complicated human life. We started in blissful infancy (remember giant, clunky PCs that were essentially high-tech typewriters?). Next came the awkward adolescence phase, marked by dial-up modems screeching louder than our teenage angst. We’ve navigated young adulthood, where things were exciting but risky—think Y2K panic or viruses spreading faster than gossip at a family reunion. Speaking of Y2K, I vividly remember being in the datacenter as the clock struck midnight. There was total silence for about 10 minutes as we waited for the world to end (or at least our servers). When nothing happened, relief turned into an epic celebration—we partied hard for about a week. Let’s just say things got a bit out of hand back then. And about viruses? Well, I’ll admit it—I once spread the infamous “I Love You” virus by innocently opening a curious email from our office secretary. Talk about learning the hard way. Now we’ve entered mature adulthood. Humans and computers are starting to “get” each other—really understanding what makes each other tick. Moore’s Law—the trusty family counselor who predicted we’d double our computing power every couple of years—is scratching its head, because this relationship has moved beyond predictability. We need a new law, one that better captures computer advancement and human-computer integration. Perhaps it’s time to explore a new law—one that better encapsulates our current reality of computer advancement and human-computer integration. Moore’s Law: The Reliable Parent Historically, Moore’s Law was like our digital helicopter parent. Intel co-founder Gordon Moore said we’d double our transistor count every two years. And for decades, it was spot-on, delivering better chips right on schedule. Our expectations grew comfortable. Computers would always be faster, cheaper, and smarter every generation. Life was predictable, and that predictability allowed entrepreneurs to make reasonable bets on the future. But just like when your mom stopped making your lunches, eventually, Moore’s Law hit limits—chips couldn’t keep shrinking without generating heat problems and quantum weirdness. CPUs, our faithful childhood friends, plateaued in their speed growth around 2005, leaving us feeling like our relationship had grown stagnant. Right now, in August 2025, it feels like the entire world is sitting on hold, anxiously waiting for the AI bell curve to stabilize. It’s like we’ve all hit pause, anticipating that hockey-stick growth—but this time, it’s happening simultaneously in every sector. AI Steps In: Our Midlife Crisis or Renaissance? Enter Artificial Intelligence, the shiny new sports car that zipped into our lives, dramatically breaking the monotony. Suddenly, Moore’s Law seemed outdated—like a rotary phone or dad jeans. AI threw out the old rulebook, doubling capabilities not every two years, but every six months! AI isn’t just about faster hardware; it’s an entirely new way of thinking. It’s the existential epiphany at midlife, asking us what we’re doing here and pushing us to go further. Instead of just cramming more transistors onto silicon, we’re inventing specialized AI hardware—GPUs, TPUs—equivalent to hiring professional trainers rather than doing random push-ups hoping to get fit. Breaking the Speed Limit (Legally!) Between 2015 and 2018, AI image recognition techniques improved performance by 10×—comparable to finally switching from instant ramen to gourmet meals overnight. Models like GPT ballooned from millions to billions of parameters almost instantly. Imagine waking up one day fluent in 100 languages—that’s the AI revolution in a nutshell. It’s not just tech; it feels almost metaphysical, like our consciousness merging slightly with machines. But don’t panic—we’re not merging with Skynet yet. This union is grounded in real science: neural networks mimicking brain structures, machine learning mirroring evolutionary biology. AI’s explosive growth might feel mystical, but underneath, it’s math—lots of math. Relationship Goals: Humans and AI Working Together As exciting as it is, there are whispers of a possible plateau—like settling comfortably into your 40s after a wild youth. AI growth is fueled by energy, compute power, and massive data sets—all finite resources. But even if we do plateau, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. This phase, like any mature relationship, is about working smarter, not harder. We can optimize, refine, and deepen our understanding rather than endlessly sprinting forward. Businesses—especially small and medium-sized ones I work with through Hostirian and InLink.com—will have time to catch their breath, truly integrating AI into everyday operations, not chasing tech for tech’s sake. Advice for the Mature Tech Relationship Here’s my seasoned (and slightly humorous) advice for navigating this exciting, grown-up era: Metaphysical Tag-Back (Briefly!) Okay, just a quick nod to the metaphysical, because I am who I am: I genuinely believe the “T” in GPT is something discovered, not invented. In my view, whenever you combine mass, energy, and data—what I consider the holy trinity of life—you get something extraordinary. Computers have been my best friend since I was 7 years old, and this partnership with AI might feel cosmic, like we’re touching some higher collective intelligence. But remember—this is grounded in neural mimicry and algorithms, not mysticism. Think of it as the universe finding ways to understand itself—through us and through AI. Wrapping Up: A Promising Future Together Computers and humans, we’ve grown up together. We’re now in a stable, mature relationship. Moore’s Law has served us well, but like any good parental figure, it had to step back eventually. AI now leads us forward into exciting, if somewhat unpredictable, terrain. Let’s enjoy this phase—where cooperation and understanding rule the day, and maybe even crack a few jokes along the way. After all, humor might be the one thing AI hasn’t fully mastered yet. But give it another six months…
The Future of Small Business Technology with Ken Cox
On this episode of the Customers First Podcast, I have an insightful conversation with Ken Cox, President of River City Internet Group and the mind behind InLink.com—a platform dedicated to providing small businesses and solopreneurs with the essential tools needed for success. Ken passionately shares his journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a key player in the tech industry, illuminating how his early experiences shaped his approach to empowering entrepreneurs. Ken discusses the disparities he observed in the business landscape, particularly regarding the resources available to larger corporations compared to small businesses. He emphasizes the importance of creating a level playing field through technology, allowing smaller entities to compete effectively. His mission with InLink.com is to simplify operations for small businesses by offering an all-in-one suite that includes a fully integrated CRM, office tools similar to Google Drive, and unparalleled support. We explore how these resources not only improve productivity but also enhance customer experiences by streamlining communication and marketing efforts. Throughout our discussion, Ken highlights the transformative impact of artificial intelligence in the business realm. By implementing AI-driven solutions, Ken aims to alleviate common pain points faced by small business owners, ultimately allowing them to focus on what they do best—serving their customers. We dive deeper into the functionalities that differentiate InLink.com from other software on the market, such as its commitment to user data privacy, integrated marketing capabilities, and ease of use for entrepreneurs who may be apprehensive about navigating digital tools. As our conversation unfolds, Ken predicts a future where small businesses leverage both Web 2.0 and 3.0 technologies to expand their presence beyond local markets. He envisions a time when Main Street businesses can create a national brand identity through innovative products and online courses, ultimately doubling or even tripling their revenue streams. For those eager to implement cutting-edge solutions and build winning strategies for their businesses, this episode is a must-listen. Kens’ Contact Information: Website: https://kencox.com LinkedIn: @kencox YouTube: @ClicksBricksPodcast Tacey’s Contact Information: Website: taceyatkinson.com All Socials: @TaceyAtkinson Thank you for tuning in, and I look forward to having more valuable conversations together in the future. Remember: Customer-Centric Cultures Create Magical Customer Experiences. Now Go, Create the Magic!
The Last Human Asset: Confidence in a World of Machines
The Last Human Asset: Confidence in a World of Machines It doesn’t matter what I’m doing—boxing, business, AI, or now dipping my toe into the stand-up comedy world—my thoughts keep landing on the same realization: Confidence is the last real human asset. For a long time, I believed our value in the future would be rooted in our ability to entertain each other or serve one another. I thought, “Sure, AI will be smart, and robotics will be strong—but people will always want the human touch.” But I’ve come to see something deeper: Even those uniquely human contributions—comedy, connection, leadership, service—they all come from confidence. If you don’t have the confidence to speak up… To try something new… To be seen… You don’t get to do any of it. The Machines Are Coming—But They’re Boring We’re entering an age where AI handles the intelligence and robots handle the labor. It’s fast, it’s powerful, and it’s happening right now. And if we’re not intentional, the result will be a world that’s clean, efficient, and soulless. Bland. Predictable. Safe. But also colorless. Flat. Boring. What won’t be automated is that spark of humanity—the weird, the real, the raw. And that’s what I’m here for. The One Thing That Can’t Be Replicated Your personality. Your voice. Your story. Your presence. These things matter more now than ever before. They can’t be templated. They shouldn’t be filtered. They need to be shown—as-is, unapologetically. Which is why I believe the most important thing we can teach our kids right now isn’t just STEM, coding, or even critical thinking. All of that matters—but none of it activates without one core ingredient: Confidence. The confidence to try. The confidence to fail. The confidence to wear bald eagle man shorts in a hotel mirror and post it to the internet because why not, this is me. What I’ve Been Pondering I’ve been thinking a lot about how we raise the next generation. How we talk to our teams. How we show up as leaders, partners, creators, and humans. And here’s where I’ve landed: If we don’t raise confident humans, we’ll end up with brilliant, capable people who never show up—because they’re waiting for permission. And robots don’t give permission. A Call to Action Be yourself. Be loud about it. Be weird, be proud, and let the world adjust. Teach your kids that it’s okay to try and fall flat. Celebrate the courage it takes to just show up. Because in the world that’s coming—confidence won’t just make you stand out. It’ll be the only thing that makes you human. Let’s not lose the color. Let’s not lose the soul. Let’s not go bland. —Ken Cox kencox.com
Conversation Mill Podcast
On this episode, we have a special guest who is deeply passionate about empowering small businesses and solopreneurs, and has made it his mission to support entrepreneurs of all sizes. We talk A.I., Robotics, Modern Entrepreneurship and more. Ken Cox is the President of Rivercity Internet Group and the visionary behind InLink.com—a platform built specifically to provide every tool you need to be successful in business. InLink.com offers an Office suite that includes email, spreadsheets, documents, and cloud storage, along with a robust CRM that supports unlimited users—eliminating costly per-user fees. Ken is here to share his expertise on how small businesses can use these tools to streamline operations, boost productivity, and achieve new levels of success. To learn more about Ken visit: kencox.com For listeners, if you go to InLink.com, you can sign up for a 14-day free trial of the world’s most robust CRM platform. This trial gives you a chance to experience all the tools InLink.com offers, allowing you to streamline your business operations, boost productivity, and see firsthand how it can help you succeed. Advertisers Need help getting organized behind the scenes of your small business? Silverside Consulting + Creative helps you delegate, document, and follow through with systems that actually work. Learn more at silversidecreative.com.
AI Employees Are Replacing Receptionists—Ken Cox on Automating Your Business for Profit & Freedom
Small businesses are losing time, customers, and profit by relying on outdated systems—especially when 60% of calls go unanswered. Ken Cox has seen this over and over. After decades in tech and entrepreneurship, he’s now helping small businesses automate their customer communication with “AI employees” that work 24/7, speak every language, and never forget your policies. The kicker? Most businesses don’t even realize how accessible this tech is—or how much it can increase their valuation and efficiency overnight. In this episode, Ken breaks down how AI voice agents are revolutionizing service-based businesses, how to train your first AI receptionist, and what the future looks like when humans become orchestrators—not operators. Whether you’re a brick-and-mortar owner or just exploring your next business idea, this is your roadmap to the next wave of work. Key Takeaways: • AI Employees for Small Business: Ken explains how voice AI can answer your phone, reply to reviews, and even schedule appointments—without hiring extra staff. • Why You’re Losing 60% of Business Calls: Learn why most businesses miss opportunities daily and how automation can fix it instantly. • Training AI Is Easier Than You Think: If your website has the right info, your AI agent can be trained in minutes to handle customer interactions. • Automated = More Valuable: Businesses with AI systems are not only more efficient—they’re worth double at exit. • The $100M Mistake: Ken shares a personal story about an overlooked contract clause that cost him a fortune—and what every entrepreneur should learn from it. About the Guest: Ken Cox is a dynamic and accomplished President of Hostirian and the host of the Clicks and Bricks podcast. As an entrepreneur, Ken has built a successful career creating safe and happy workplaces, providing critical IT services to companies of all sizes, from small businesses to the Global 500. His commitment to trading value for value and developing products that benefit everyone involved has earned him recognition as a leading figure in the business world. Ken is also the author of Reclaim Sobriety: The 12 Rounds of Sobriety, a transformative guide for achieving lasting sobriety. Additionally, he co-authored a chapter in Kevin Harrington’s book, Many Paths to Profit. His expertise in navigating digital privacy, modern HR strategies, product marketing, and entrepreneurship, combined with his personal journey through adversity, makes him a perfect fit for podcasts with an audience of CEOs, CTOs, founders, IT directors, and CFOs.
Leading Through Technology: Ken Cox’s Mission to Empower Small Business
Ken Cox doesn’t just talk about leadership—he builds systems that enable it. In this episode, Ken shares how a turbulent upbringing and early tech exposure shaped his leadership style. From hanging around small-town entrepreneurs to diving into the early days of the internet, Ken turned challenges into fuel. He opens up about his dyslexia and how technology gave him a voice, eventually becoming a champion for small businesses and digital empowerment. Ken explains why he treats AI like employees—and why leadership in the AI era means creating systems that manage, train, and direct those “digital hires.” He urges leaders to stop fearing AI and start leading it. The result? Businesses that run smarter, faster, and leaner. Whether it’s streamlining customer service or qualifying leads, Ken breaks down how focused AI tools can give business owners time to lead—not just manage chaos.
Message to the Man Who Woke Up That Morning
You woke up half-dead.Sweating through the sheets, mouth full of rust and shame.Didn’t sleep. Couldn’t sleep.Spent all night fighting, begging, lying to yourself.Trying to hold onto something that was killing you. You didn’t know what was coming.Didn’t know if you were going to survive the day, the week, or not at all.All you knew was it was going to hurt.Bad. You saw the wreckage you made —Family on the edge.People you swore you loved standing there, ready to walk away.Not because they didn’t love you,but because you shattered everything they tried to build with you. You were scared.You were weak.You were a heartbeat away from giving up.The panic owned your chest.Every breath tasted like failure. And deep down, part of you wanted to die.Part of you thought it would be easier. But you didn’t pick up the bottle.You didn’t crawl back to the lie.You stood up. You stood up when there wasn’t a single reason to believe you could.You stood up when every voice in your head told you to quit.You stood up without knowing if you’d make it out alive. And because you did —because you fought through that hell —I’m standing here now. I’m clear.I’m sober.I’m building the life you thought you burned to the ground. I owe everything to you.To the broken, scared manwho decided to take one more swing instead of one more drink. And to the few who stayed—who watched me burn everything down and still didn’t leave—thank you.You held the line when I couldn’t even lift my head.You are why there’s anything left to rebuild.You are why the dreams aren’t dead. I have fought the monsters inside my own skull.And I’ve faced the worst truth —I was the monster under my own bed. I know exactly how dark it gets.And I am not afraid of it anymore. I’m here to accept everything good the universe has to offer.I’m here to build, to climb, to roar.I’ve earned my seat in the light.And if you think you can drag me back into the dark,you better bring an army.Because I’m not coming quietly. By Ken Cox
Unlocking Small Biz Success: How AI Employees Can Change the Game with Ken Cox
In Episode 73, Today’s conversation dives deep with Ken Cox joins us to break down the transformative power of AI in small business operations, specifically through his innovative platform, InLink. He shares his mission to empower entrepreneurs and solopreneurs by offering affordable, scalable solutions that eliminate the hefty fees often associated with marketing services. Ken dives into how Enlink’s AI employees can streamline tasks like customer engagement, project management, and even follow-ups, allowing businesses to operate more efficiently and effectively. He emphasizes the importance of training these AI tools as if they were actual employees, ensuring they serve their purpose without overwhelming the human staff. If you’re looking to level up your business and create a community of super fans, this episode is packed with actionable insights and strategies to help you get there. Episode Takeaways The 3A (attract, advocate, accelerate) Playbook – Featuring Ken Cox 1. Train Your AI Like a Team Member Ken emphasized that AI employees aren’t just plug-and-play—they need training and management like any real team member. He encourages business owners to give their AI assistants names, define their roles, and set up clear workflows to ensure consistency and accountability. This approach personalizes the experience for your clients and boosts the effectiveness of automation. Try this: Assign a name and role to your AI assistant, define its primary tasks, and review its performance weekly—just like you would with a new hire. 2. Automate Follow-Up to Create Superfans One of the biggest missed opportunities Ken sees in small businesses is poor post-transaction engagement. With AI tools, you can automate personalized follow-ups that keep your brand top of mind and build lasting loyalty. From post-sale thank-you messages to two-year follow-up funnels, the technology is here—and affordable. Try this: Set up a 6-month automated follow-up sequence for your recent customers using email or text. Include check-ins, tips, and upsell opportunities to keep the relationship warm.