07/21/2026
Part of what makes every small business special is its individuality. Itās the brand youāve built, the products or services you offer, and the way you market yourself to show people what makes you different.
Iām no stranger to AI. Iāve used it personally and professionally, and Iām not going to pretend I havenāt. Iāve made AI generated flyers before. But over the last few months Iāve watched more and more businesses start to look the same. The same graphics. The same polished aesthetic. The same style. Somewhere along the way, we started losing the personality that made small businesses feelā¦ small.
This has made me really stop and think.
Branding isnāt just about having something that looks good. Itās about creating something that reflects you, your personality, your values, your creativity, and your story. When every business starts looking alike, we lose one of the most important parts of owning a business: standing out because youāre different.
Iāve also spent time learning more about the environmental impact of AI, including the amount of energy and water required to power these systems. While AI can absolutely be a useful tool, itās another reason Iāve been thinking more intentionally about how I choose to use it.
For me, Iāve decided to not use any AI for flyers for marketing or events. I havenāt in a little bit anyway, but I wanted to speak on it given how many I see now.
I want my business to reflect the time, thought, and creativity that went into building it. I want people to see something that feels personal, not something that could have been generated for anyone. My boutique style, my heart behind this business, and yesā¦ the worldās best lemonade, are all part of what makes Lively Lemon Lemonade what it is. I donāt want to lose that.
I still believe AI has its place. I think itās an incredible tool for learning, researching, brainstorming, and helping us become more knowledgeable. But Iād rather use it to expand what I know than to replace the creativity that makes my business mine.
If another business chooses to use it, that is their choice and I want to be clear I am not shaming anyone that does. If anything, I would like to inspire others to consider what iāve shared here. Donāt lose what makes you special to save a few minutes. Iāve realized itās simply not worth it in the long run.
I know even limited AI use is controversial for some people, and I respect those views. AI isnāt going anywhere, but I do think we each get to decide how we use it, letās just not abuse it. This is the choice that feels right for me. Letās get back to what makes us, US!
Pic for attention. I backed this baby up down a long driveway and parked her perfectly. (Took me forever, and had to document my success š¤Ŗ)
