Built to Scale: How Small Businesses Can Use AI to Compete Like Giants, with Anthony Amunategui | Episode #0018

2025-07-11
Posted by: Brad Groux
Category: Podcast

What if the next wave of innovation isn’t led by Fortune 500 companies, but by small businesses that dare to be bold?

In this episode of Start Small, Think Big, we sit down with Anthony Amunategui, founder of CDO Group, Inc. and host of the Future Factory Podcast, to talk about how small businesses are outpacing large enterprises using AI, automation, and relentless grit. With over 28 years of construction and entrepreneurial experience, Anthony shares actionable insights on transforming outdated workflows, building in-house AI capabilities, and embracing risk with purpose.

The Era of Bold Small Business

Anthony kicks things off by reflecting on what it means to be an entrepreneur. Forget the sugar-coated advice from millionaire motivational speakers, real success, he says, is built through “walking through broken glass.”

“The journey of an entrepreneur is about sustaining the broken glass. None of you are getting out without walking through broken glass.”

Anthony built CDO Group from a basement table to a national construction leader. Now he’s applying the same work ethic to the AI space, proving you don’t need a team of PhDs to create impactful AI tools.

How CDO Group is Building AI from the Ground Up

Anthony didn’t hire an AI consulting firm. He hired a motivated young person with a laptop and curiosity.

They started building AI agents, GPT-powered tools trained on construction workflows. These agents can now:

Generate materials takeoffs from blueprints in minutes
Break down scopes of work for subcontractors
Optimize daily construction schedules for individual electricians
Help bid more jobs, more accurately, in less time

This homegrown AI approach reduced what took 8 full-time estimators a week to just minutes, and is saving money, improving subcontractor relationships, and enabling faster payments.

“If you’re not using AI today, you’re already spending too much money.”

Digitization Is the New Differentiator

Anthony emphasized that AI thrives on structured, accessible data. In real estate and construction, this means:

Digitizing property data: blueprints, zoning codes, utility data
Using LiDAR and drone mappingto create 3D digital twins
Tracking material movement(like Canada’s chipped lumber) to enable ultra-precise logistics and scheduling

This new world rewards those who structure their operations digitally. If your property, business processes, or data aren’t digitized, AI can’t help you.

Strategic AI = Boring AI That Saves Millions

Anthony argues the best AI doesn’t look like science fiction. The most valuable wins are:

Boring
Repetitive
Time-consuming
High-leverage

Think: invoice routing, materials scheduling, and takeoffs, not chatbots with sass.

“Your first AIs are not going to be fancy. They’re going to be boring. But they’ll save you hours a day.”

Practical Use Cases Across Industries

While Anthony’s examples are rooted in construction, the principles apply to any industry. Use AI to:

Marketing: Automate brand analysis and competitor audits
Sales: Prioritize leads using predictive analytics
Operations: Streamline logistics with AI-driven task assignment
Manufacturing: Improve production planning via schedule optimization
Logistics: Forecast delivery times and manage fleet idle times

Final Advice for Business Owners

If you’re waiting for the “perfect AI solution,” you’re already behind. Anthony’s advice?

Start small and start ugly
Empower your team to experiment
Digitize everything
Look for time-saving, repeatable wins
Be bold, be relentless

“Don’t sit around planning how to use AI. Start failing faster. That’s where the learning happens.”

At Digital Meld, we believe that staying curious and thinking boldly is the best way to lead through change. New SSTB episodes are released every Friday across all major podcast platforms (direct links below), with video available on Spotify and YouTube. Follow and subscribe to empower your AI journey!

Summary

In this episode of the Start Small Think Big podcast, hosts Brad and Robert engage with Anthony Amunategui, founder of CDO Group and Future Factory podcast, discussing the transformative impact of AI and automation on small businesses, particularly in the construction industry. They explore the entrepreneurial journey, the importance of hard work, and the agility of small businesses in leveraging technology. Anthony shares real-world applications of AI, emphasizing the need for digital transformation and the role of data in modern business practices. The conversation concludes with advice for business leaders on embracing change and starting boldly in their ventures.

Keywords

AI, automation, small business, entrepreneurship, construction, digital transformation, innovation, technology, business growth, leadership

Takeaways

AI tools are making it easier for small businesses to compete.
The entrepreneurial journey involves hard work and resilience.
Small businesses are more agile than larger corporations.
Perfection can hinder progress in adopting new technologies.
Starting with small, manageable AI projects can lead to significant improvements.
Continuous movement and progress are essential for success.
Data-driven decision-making is crucial in modern business.
Embracing change is necessary for survival in the evolving market.
The construction industry can greatly benefit from AI and automation.
Business leaders should empower their teams to experiment with new technologies.

Titles

Start Small, Think Boldly
The Power of AI in Small Business

Sound bites

“AI is your business partner”
“Get out there and start to use it”
“Start Small, Think Boldly”

Resources

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests

02:53 The Entrepreneurial Journey and Hard Work

05:40 Agility of Small Businesses in the Modern Market

08:32 Leveraging AI and Automation for Business Growth

11:42 Overcoming Fear and Taking Action

14:15 The Importance of Movement and Progress

17:13 Real-World Applications of AI in Construction

20:04 Revolutionizing Payment Processes in Construction

22:51 Embracing Change in the Subcontracting Industry

27:15 Embracing Change in the Age of AI

29:35 The Future of Real Estate and Construction

35:26 Digitizing Workflows for Efficiency

41:26 Starting Small with AI Implementation

46:44 Empowering the Next Generation in Business

51:12 The Bold Path Forward

Follow and subscribe to SSTB on your favorite platform!

Have show ideas or want to be featured or take part? Let us know in the comments.

Podcast