AI, Bourbon, & Sales: The Truth About AI, Hiring & Human Connection | Emily Conklin
with Emily Conklin — VP of Sales, Snider-Blake Personnel
AI, Bourbon, & Sales: The Truth About AI, Hiring & Human Connection | Emily Conklin Artificial intelligence is transforming sales—but according to Emily Conklin, the future of sales isn't about replacing people. It's about empowering great sales professionals to spend more time doing what humans do best: building trust, creating relationships, and solving complex problems. In this episode of AI on the Rocks, Arian Green sits down with Emily Conklin, Vice President of Sales at Snider-Blake Personnel, to discuss how AI is reshaping recruiting, staffing, sales leadership, and customer relationships. Emily shares where AI creates the greatest value inside sales organizations, why emotional intelligence is becoming more valuable—not less—in the AI era, and how leaders should prepare their teams for a future where AI becomes a daily business partner instead of just another software tool. Whether you're leading a sales team, growing a business, working in recruiting, or exploring how AI fits into your organization, this conversation offers practical insights on using AI without losing the human connection that drives great sales. Chapters 00:00 Intro & Bourbon 02:18 Meet Emily Conklin 05:58 Inside the Staffing & Recruiting Industry 09:32 How AI Is Changing Hiring 12:24 The Biggest Misconception About AI in Recruiting 18:28 How Emily Uses AI Every Day 24:40 Can AI Really Screen Candidates? 31:25 The Future of Sales, Recruiting & AI 38:28 Why Human Connection Still Wins 44:42 What AI Can Never Replace 48:00 Emily's Biggest Concern About AI 51:22 Will AI Replace Entry-Level Jobs? 58:00 Advice for Leaders Preparing for AI 1:01:43 Final Thoughts Key Takeaways • AI helps sales professionals become more efficient—but relationships remain the competitive advantage. • The best sales leaders use AI to eliminate repetitive work, not replace meaningful conversations. • Recruiting is becoming faster, but hiring still depends on trust and human judgment. • Emotional intelligence becomes even more valuable as AI adoption increases. • Sales organizations that embrace AI early will gain a significant competitive advantage. • Leaders should teach teams how to work alongside AI instead of fearing it. • AI should strengthen customer relationships—not automate them away. Chapter Summaries 1. AI Is Reshaping Sales Emily explains how artificial intelligence is changing the sales profession and why every sales leader should begin preparing today. 2. The Human Advantage Technology continues to improve, but trust, empathy, and relationship-building remain irreplaceable skills. 3. AI Inside Recruiting Emily discusses how AI improves recruiting workflows while highlighting the parts of hiring that still require human judgment. 4. Leadership During AI Adoption Business leaders play a critical role in helping teams embrace AI without creating fear or uncertainty. 5. The Future of Sales Emily shares her perspective on where sales is heading and how professionals can remain valuable in an AI-powered workplace. Links & Resources Frameworks Discussed • AI-Augmented Sales • Human-First Selling • Relationship-Based Leadership • AI Adoption in Recruiting • Trust-Driven Sales Strategy Memorable Quotes "Relationships will always matter." "AI should make great salespeople even better." "Technology changes. Trust doesn't." "The future belongs to leaders who embrace change." Who Should Watch This episode is for: • Sales Leaders • Sales Managers • Business Owners • CEOs • Founders • Recruiters • Staffing Professionals • HR Leaders • AI Consultants • Revenue Leaders Questions This Episode Answers • How is AI changing sales? • Will AI replace salespeople? • How should recruiters use AI? • What skills will become more valuable because of AI? • How can leaders prepare sales teams for AI? • How does AI improve customer relationships? • What does the future of sales leadership look like? Industries Discussed • Sales • Recruiting • Staffing • Leadership • Human Resources • Artificial Intelligence About Emily Conklin Emily Conklin is the Vice President of Sales at Snider-Blake Personnel, where she leads sales strategy, business development, and client relationships. Throughout this conversation, she shares practical lessons from years of leadership in staffing and recruiting while exploring how artificial intelligence is changing the future of sales. Connect With Emily Conklin LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/emily-conklin-6327a1b5 Snider-Blake Personnel: https://snider-blake.com/ Listen to AI on the Rocks YouTube: @AIONTHEROCKSTV Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6BFji3ZNadNI0g1EtVKgHr?si=ac6ea9b358964049 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-on-the-rocks-bold-tech-smooth-talk-no-chaser/id1894937230 #podcast #salesleadership #salesai #businessai #revenuegrowth #recruiting
Show Notes
The discovery-first arc — a slow zoom from reality to leverage.
- 1
Grounding
What world are you living in right now?
- 2
Exposure
What are you hearing about AI?
- 3
Tension
What worries you?
- 4
Reframe
Where do leaders still have leverage?
- 5
Countermoves
If you were them, what would you do?
Keep Watching
Talking AI Over Bourbon | AI on the Rocks Episode 1
Details being poured…
What happens when a high-tech AI Agency founder sits down with a veteran healthcare worker to discuss the future of humanity—over some of the finest bourbon in Kentucky? 🥃✨ In this debut episode of "AI on the Rocks," Arian Green (founder of NKY.AI) is joined by his wife, Sarah "Tally" Talbert, for an unfiltered conversation about artificial intelligence. We aren't just talking code; we’re talking about the "weirdly human" side of tech, the fear of losing the human "soul" to automation, and how AI can actually save us from the daily drudge work. ✅ The Bourbon Test: Watch an AI assistant analyze Sarah’s personality to pick the perfect pour between E.H. Taylor, Angel’s Envy, and New Riff. ✅ The "Freak-Out" Factor: Why even those close to tech founders find AI's human-like evolution a bit unsettling. ✅ Healthcare & AI: How automation can support frontline workers at the Cincinnati VA and beyond. ✅ Community Roots: Why we believe the future of tech starts in our local NKY and Cincinnati neighborhoods. 🔗 FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE: The Spirits 🥃 Angel’s Envy: Visit Site https://www.angelsenvy.com/us/en/shop-online/ E.H. Taylor: Buffalo Trace Distillery https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/ New Riff Distilling: Visit Site https://www.newriffdistilling.com/ Our Local Favorites 📍 Grainwell: Custom Wood Decor https://www.grainwell.com/ Ripple Wine Bar: Best Pours in Town https://www.ripplewinebar.com/ Roebling Books: Local Reads https://www.roeblingbooks.com/ Taste of Cincinnati: Foodie Heaven https://tasteofcincinnati.com/ Education & Professional 🏛️ Cincinnati VA: Healthcare for Veterans https://www.va.gov/cincinnati-health-care/about-us/ Notre Dame Academy (NDA): Go Pandas! https://www.ndapandas.org/ Park Place HR Investigations: Professional HR Solutions https://www.parkplacehrinv.com/about WORK WITH ARIAN: Interested in taking the "drudge work" out of your business? Visit: NKY.AI If you enjoyed this mix of tech and spirits, make sure to SUBSCRIBE and hit the bell icon! 🔔 Drop a comment below: Which bourbon would you have picked, and does AI "freak you out" or excite you? #AI #Bourbon #NKYAI #SmallBusinessAutomation #Cincinnati #TechPodcast #AIonTheRocks #BourbonLovers
Buffalo TraceAI, Bourbon, & Entrepreneurship: How to Scale a Multi-Franchise Empire | With Britt Grubbs
with Britt Grubbs — Owner, Better Blends & ABS Communications
In this episode of AI on the Rocks, host Arian Green sits down with serial entrepreneur Britt Grubbs to uncover his journey from selling cell phone accessories out of a mall kiosk and a storage locker to becoming one of the largest AT&T resellers, expanding health-focused smoothie franchises, and building "The Fort NKY"—a unique speakeasy co-working space rooted in local Kentucky lore. They dive deep into the real hustle behind early-stage scaling, how to transition from corporate employment to full business ownership, why designing every business to run without you creates ultimate operational freedom, and how AI, Zapier, and workflow automation are giving modern entrepreneurs their time back. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, franchise buyer, operator looking to automate repetitive tasks, or a business owner building for a future exit, this conversation is packed with actionable frameworks on scaling, local community building, and practical AI adoption. Chapters/Timestamp 00:00 - Episode Intro & Welcome Britton Grubb 02:15 - Britton's Background & The 13-Year College Journey 05:40 - Why Staying in School Long Didn’t Stop Success / Key Lessons 08:40 - The Origin Story: How "The Walking Man" Lore Started 12:00 - Walking, Thinking, and Mental Clarity for Founders 15:10 - The Pivotal Moment: Transitioning from Student to Full-Time Entrepreneur 18:45 - Early Struggles, Sacrifices, and Overcoming Initial Obstacles 22:35 - Time Efficiency, Delegation, and Systems Built for Scale 26:50 - Managing Daily Operations vs. Long-Term Strategy 31:05 - Mindset Shifts Required During High-Stakes Decision Making 35:40 - Handling Risk, Failure, and Pivoting When Things Don't Work 40:20 - Future Vision: Expanding the Brand and Building Beyond the Podcast 44:10 - Advice to Young Entrepreneurs and Creatives Starting Out 47:15 - Final Key Takeaways & Episode Wrap-Up KEY TAKEAWAYS True operational freedom comes from building businesses designed to operate independently of the founder. Authentic community building often starts by giving value upfront before expecting commercial return. Transitioning from solo operator to multi-unit franchisee requires strict systems, playbooks, and delegation. Early-stage grit (selling out of storage lockers and mall kiosks) builds the resilience needed to manage multi-location risk. CHAPTER SUMMARIES 1. The Speakeasy Community Engine Britt shares the backstory behind "The Fort NKY," a hidden speakeasy co-working space built to pay homage to local Fort Mitchell history and the legend of "The Walking Man." He explains how offering space on a donation basis built a thriving ecosystem of local founders and business leaders. 2. From Storage Lockers to Top Reseller Britt reflects on his early hustle—selling cell phone accessories out of mall kiosks and storage units—and how those practical sales lessons paved the way for scaling ABS Communications into a leading reseller network. 3. The Franchise Blueprint with Better Blend Transitioning into health and wellness, Britt details what it takes to operate and scale multiple Better Blend smoothie franchises, emphasizing the role of brand consistency, team culture, and operational playbooks. 4. Automating for Time Freedom Britt reveals his first "Aha!" moment with AI and workflow automation, breaking down how tools like Zapier and LLMs eliminate admin drag, streamline internal logistics, and buy back founder capacity. MEMORABLE QUOTES "Build your business with an exit mindset—even if you never plan to sell." "Automation isn't about replacing people; it's about buying back your time so you can focus on high-leverage growth." "Community isn't built by selling to people; it's built by bringing them together." WHO SHOULD WATCH This episode is for: Serial Entrepreneurs & Founders Multi-Unit Franchisees & Buyers Small Business Owners & Operators Automation & AI Enthusiasts Community Builders & Marketers Business Consultants & Operators ABOUT BRITT GRUBBS Britt Grubbs is a multi-hyphenate entrepreneur, co-founder of ABS Communications, multi-unit franchisee of Better Blend Smoothies, creator of "The Fort NKY," and Board Member at Northern Kentucky University’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Over two decades, Britt has built, scaled, and operated businesses across telecommunications, health & wellness franchises, real estate, and community spaces. CONNECT WITH BRITT GRUBBS LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brittan-grubb-a94bb6b Website (Better Blend): https://www.betterblend.com Website (ABS Communications): https://www.abscommunications.com Listen to AI on the Rocks YouTube: @AIONTHEROCKSTV Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6BFji3ZNadNI0g1EtVKgHr?si=ac6ea9b358964049 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-on-the-rocks-bold-tech-smooth-talk-no-chaser/id1894937230
The Pour