An Interview With Chad Silverstein
Thinking bigger- I use AI to dream. What would a fall campaign look like with a Miami pop art theme? What packaging would be cute for Valentine’s drop? Even when I don’t have the samples yet, I can still plan the visuals, the vibe , the language. If I explain a few key ideas it will send image options that are exactly what I was trying to show. Because when you start a brand, you HAVE to be creative, you HAVE to be innovative, and you HAVE to constantly think of ways to stay relevant. I save those ideas and put them on my mood board. There’s never been a time I had an idea and AI couldn’t help me see what it looks like.
In today’s tech-driven world, artificial intelligence has become a key enabler of business success. But the question remains — how can businesses effectively harness AI to address their unique challenges while staying true to ethical principles? To explore this topic further, we are interviewing Bianca Baskins.
Bianca Baskins is the visionary behind Bratty Luxe, the online fashion brand turning attitude into clothes .With a degree in psychology and a lifelong love for awesome fashion, she makes statement pieces for women to feel strong and sexy. Her mission? To remind women that being “bratty” has a different meaning than before. It means knowing your worth , and dressing like it.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path in AI?
It’s kind of a funny story, actually. It was New Year’s Eve 2024, and I suddenly had this urge to start a business. I had no clue where to even start. Once I was doing it myself, I saw just how much work building a brand actually takes! It was seriously overwhelming. I started using AI here and there, and it became a tool I use every day. It helped me build Bratty Luxe to where it is now.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started working with artificial intelligence?
I had hired an assistant I was paying every week. She just couldn’t do the things I needed. As sweet as she was, it was so draining dealing with miscommunication, repetitive questions and big tasks that were getting missed. I started asking AI the questions I was asking her, and got instant answers. I was getting things done faster without the stress. I realized I don’t need a whole team yet, I just need to use my resources wisely. And since I was starting out with basically nothing, saving that money made a huge difference. That’s when my brand really took off.
You are a successful leader in the AI space. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
I’d say curiosity, creativity, and being flexible. I’m always messing around and trying new things. I’ll ask AI a ton of questions to see what it can do. That helped me figure out ways to use it that I didn’t even know were possible. There are so many times I pour all of my thoughts out to AI, and it turns that into something I can actually put out there. It’s even better when I do my own research first. Once I give it information I’ve found on my own, I just know something great is about to happen. And things are always changing, so you have to be flexible. AI helps me keep up, switch gears, and stay on top of things. Keeping up with trends is crucial, especially in this industry. If you’re stuck doing things one way, growing and staying relevant with customers is going to be tough.
Let’s jump to the primary focus of our interview. Can you share a specific example of how you or your organization used AI to solve a major business challenge? What was the problem, and how did AI help address it?
At first I was flying solo. No assistant, no marketing, nobody. I leaned on AI for literally everything. It helped me think of my brand name, make a logo, write product descriptions, set up shipping, and plan my launch. I could ask it how to set up email workflows, my website’s email capture form, or how to build certain things with Shopify. I used it when I didn’t have models or inventory. It let me dream big and be productive at the same time. It helped me get my business off the ground when I was clueless. I think that’s why we’re still growing today.
What are some of the common misconceptions you’ve encountered about using AI in business? How do you address those misconceptions?
People think AI will do everything for you, or that it’s only for tech experts. That’s just not true. You still have to guide it. It’s like having a really smart assistant, but you’re still in charge. Some people also think AI can’t have creative thoughts and it only makes “dry” or logical responses . No way! It actually helps you think outside the box. You bring your ideas, your story, and your energy, and AI helps you put it together in a better way. I’ve trained my AI to talk like my brand, so brainstorming just feels like I’m texting my bestie, not a bot.
In your opinion, what is the most significant way AI can make a positive impact on businesses today?
It gives business owners something we don’t talk about enough, peace of mind. AI helps me get things done, yes, but it helps me handle stress, plan my next move, and feel like I’m not alone. Being an entrepreneur can be so lonely, especially when the people around you don’t get what you’re going through. Staying up all night trying to figure out how to write contracts, read analytics, schedule content, learn marketing, talking to manufacturers etc… But, AI makes it less overwhelming and gives me tips to keep going. It’s like someone who’s always there, reminding me that I’m not crazy for caring this much. Sometimes I ask it for time management advice. Other times, I’ll just tell it I’m worn out, and it helps me figure out what to do. I joke that it’s like my business bestie cheering me on. Like, I told AI when I got this interview, it hyped me up and really gave me my flowers. It may sound silly but it really matters. I’m not giving up this far in, not ever.
Ok, let’s dive deeper. Based on your experience and research, can you please share “5 Ways AI Can Solve Complex Business Problems”? These can be strategies, insights, or tools that companies can use to make the most of AI in addressing their challenges. If possible, please share examples or stories for each.
- Helping you get unstuck — Helping you get unstuck — Burnout is real, and not always from working too much. When I take a break, things get calm… until a few days later, when I panic because I haven’t posted or engaged. I’ll open Pinterest or Canva and just scroll, but nothing clicks. That’s when I go to AI and say, Girl, I need to catch up. What kind of stuff can I post today? What’s trending? What sounds are popular on TikTok? It helps me get back in motion faster than I could on my own.
- Showing you what you don’t know- I didn’t know how to use Shopify or Klaviyo. So, I just asked AI to walk me through it. It gave me direct instructions without me having to watch long YouTube videos or pay someone. I was tired of hiring people who just couldn’t get the brand voice right. So then I was like, I’d rather teach AI to understand me than paying people to miss the mark. It’s a learning tool. This may sound crazy, but I had no clue what a business plan even was. I didn’t know about budgeting, taxes, finances, opening a business account, etc… Let’s just say that AI lowkey saved me from going bankrupt lol.
- Replacing a team when you can’t afford one — When I realized I was getting faster help from AI than from my assistant. From thinking of campaigns, researching influencers, creating captions, doing mockups, building launches, and answering questions, AI became my team. I could do everything without hiring multiple people which was a huge deal when I had no staff and no budget.
- Helping you not just your business — Running a business is stressful. I’ve had nights where I stayed up until 5am trying to do design or marketing stuff. AI helped me find ways to balance things. I’d ask how to organize my week, how to dodge burnout, or how to set better limits. It’s about you staying healthy and consistent without falling apart.
- Thinking bigger- I use AI to dream. What would a fall campaign look like with a Miami pop art theme? What packaging would be cute for Valentine’s drop? Even when I don’t have the samples yet, I can still plan the visuals, the vibe , the language. If I explain a few key ideas it will send image options that are exactly what I was trying to show. Because when you start a brand, you HAVE to be creative, you HAVE to be innovative, and you HAVE to constantly think of ways to stay relevant. I save those ideas and put them on my mood board. There’s never been a time I had an idea and AI couldn’t help me see what it looks like.
How can smaller businesses or startups, with limited budgets, begin to integrate AI into their operations effectively?
Start small. Don’t spend money you don’t have. You don’t need a marketing team or an assistant. Don’t drop a ton of money just to get started. Use AI to your advantage to teach you how to do it in the smartest and most cost effective way possible. I heard someone say, for a business to be successful, it has to be profitable. That stuck with me. Focus on turning those likes and followers into buyers. If your debt is higher than your income, something’s off. Keep your costs low and use the free or cheap tools that are out there. AI is one of tools that does both. Then, when your business grows, you can think about hiring help just like Apple, Fashion Nova or any other big brand. But when you’re first starting? Stay lean and learn all you can.
What advice would you give to business leaders who are hesitant to adopt AI because of fear, misconceptions, or lack of understanding?
Stop overthinking it, just try it! Just think of it as trying a new and improved multifunctional tool. It’s not about being perfect or tech savvy. It’s about being resourceful. When I started, I had no clue what I was doing, I just knew I needed help. AI made it easier, it made me believe in myself. You’re not giving up control, you’re just giving yourself options. Once you realize it’s just another tool in your toolbox, it becomes way less scary. Once you get used to it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner 🙂
In your opinion, how will AI continue to shape the business world over the next 5–10 years? Are there any trends or emerging innovations you’re particularly excited about?
I think it’s going to ditch busy work. I’m sure everyone hears people saying , “AI is going to replace us and our jobs,” but it’s going to give us more time to focus. With all this added time it gives us more mental space to create tasks quicker than ever before. Even though I use AI almost every day, I still learn something new. Like in Universities, I see people using AI to turn audio recordings from class into full notes. I wish I had that in college because it would’ve saved a lot of hand cramping. Or how people are using AI like a mini therapist now. You can send a message to an AI bot and it gives you feedback without charging you twenty dollars for ten minutes. Or about someone that used it to analyze their skin and it recommend products based on their skin type. The way AI keeps growing like this? I’m here for it all.
How do you think the use of AI to solve business problems influences relationships with customers, employees, and the broader community?
For customers, AI helps me give them a full brand experience I wish brands showed had. I don’t want to feel just like another order I want people to feel like the brand is talking directly to them like they’re part of something bigger. From the emails to even the order confirmation, I want it to all feel personal. That’s what turns casual shoppers into repeat buyers. Actually, it feels more human because I can save my energy while it holds things down
For employees or others working with me, AI creates structure , or just a better way to stay organized overall. It helps set routines to stay on the same page. It also raises the bar. When your brand is working smart and killing it, people want to match that energy.
And for the community, it’s speeding every industry up . Bringing more ideas to life, and more people being able to start businesses or projects they didn’t have the resources for.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people through AI, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I think it could make such a pivotal change for survivors. People who have had to walk away from a hard chapter, whether it was a toxic relationship, unstable job, or unsafe environment…It can be a quiet kind of support. AI could help them write a resume, prep for interviews and get organized for housing or work. The best part is they don’t have to explain their story or ask anyone face to face. They can just open their phone or laptop, visit a library even, and get what they need. On their own terms and in their own time. I’m excited to see this support become available to those who need it most. When people feel like they have real choices, without feeling judged or pressured, amazing things can happen.
How can our readers further follow you online?
Visit our website at www.brattyluxe.com and make sure to join our Brat Chat family by signing up with your phone number or email! We are always surprising and spoiling our Brat Chat Babes. Also, you can follow us at @brattyluxeco on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter (X) 🙂
This was great. Thank you so much for the time you spent sharing with us.
About the Interviewer: Chad Silverstein is a seasoned entrepreneur with 25+ years of experience as a Founder and CEO. While attending Ohio State University, he launched his first company, Choice Recovery, Inc., a nationally recognized healthcare collection agency — twice ranked the #1 workplace in Ohio. In 2013, he founded [re]start, helping thousands of people find meaningful career opportunities. After selling both companies, Chad shifted his focus to his true passion — leadership. Today, he coaches founders and CEOs at Built to Lead, advises Authority Magazine’s Thought Leader Incubator.
Bianca Baskins of Bratty Luxe On How Artificial Intelligence Can Solve Business Problems was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.