In this episode of The AI Advantage, host Solomon Williams sits down with Jesse McCabe, Co-Founder and CEO of Solid Digital, for an honest conversation about what AI really means for modern digital agencies.

With nearly two decades of experience building an agency at the intersection of engineering and design, Jesse shares how AI is reshaping workflows, client relationships, and the very role of websites in a search- and answer-driven world. Rather than chasing every new tool, Jesse makes the case for simplicity, focus, and clear thinking as agencies adapt to rapid change.

Solomon and Jesse explore what it takes to run lean, build trust with clients, and create interactive digital experiences that actually work- without overcomplicating systems or burning out teams. The discussion also touches on how AI can genuinely level the playing field for small businesses, giving them access to capabilities once reserved for much larger organizations.

If you’re an agency leader, founder, or digital professional navigating the AI shift, this episode offers clarity, perspective, and practical insight - minus the hype.

Key Takeaways:

• Why simplicity is becoming a competitive advantage in AI-driven agencies
• How AI is changing websites, content relevance, and user interaction
• What lean teams must rethink to stay agile and profitable
• Building trust with clients in a fast-changing tech environment
• Using AI to empower small businesses - not overwhelm them
• The mindset shift agencies need as AI reshapes digital services

Key Moments:

01:12 "Early Tech Passion"

03:30 "Web8: Tech-Driven Creative Agency"

06:35 Evolution of Interactive Website Design

11:09 "Interactive, Transactional Websites Rising"

15:09 "Understanding Visitor Needs"

19:42 "AI's Impact on Team Goals"

23:40 Collaborative Clients Drive Success

25:34 "Leaders Creating Space to Think"

28:32 "Vision and Genuine Client Partnership"

31:46 Earn Trust by Admitting Limits

36:43 "Struggles and Flattering Goals"

37:27 AI Challenges and Market Uncertainty

42:58 Leveraging AI for Problem Solving

43:48 "Empowering Ideas Through Equality"

46:56 "Providing Value Through Stories"

About the guest :

Jesse McCabe

Company Website:https://www.soliddigital.com

Linkedin URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessemccabe/

Business Linkedin URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/solid_digital/

email: jesse.mccabe@soliddigital.com

About the host :

Solomon Williams is the founder of Solonox and the host of the podcast "AI Advantage." Dedicated to helping modern leaders navigate the future of technology, Solomon cuts through the noise and hype to deliver clear, insightful conversations about AI and automation. On his podcast, he shares his expertise, sometimes solo, sometimes alongside the brightest minds in tech, offering practical advice on what it really takes to grow smarter in a rapidly evolving digital world. With "AI Advantage," Solomon invites listeners to join him on a journey to decode the technologies shaping tomorrow.

Contact Solomon:

Website: https://solonox.net/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swilliams1992/

In this episode of The AI Advantage, host Solomon Williams sits down with Naman Bajpai, CTO for a grounded, no-nonsense conversation about what it really takes to build and scale trustworthy AI.

From early-stage startups to Fortune 500 enterprises, Naman has worked at the intersection of innovation, privacy, and compliance - where AI ambition meets real-world constraints. Together, they unpack how modern teams are deploying AI agents while navigating regulations like HIPAA and SOC 2, protecting sensitive data, and still delivering real customer value.

The conversation dives into multi-agent systems, private AI architectures, MCP servers, and the tradeoffs between open-source flexibility and enterprise-grade security. More importantly, it explores the mindset shift tech leaders must make as AI moves from experimentation to mission-critical infrastructure.

If you’re responsible for AI decisions - or will be soon - this episode offers a clear-eyed look at how to scale AI responsibly, securely, and sustainably.

Key Moments:

01:14 Blockchain, AI, and Industry Innovation

05:42 "Enhancing Privacy with MCP Servers"

09:32 AI Impact on SMBs and Development

10:47 AI Strategies: OpenAI vs Rivals

16:33 "AI for Knowledge-Heavy Tasks"

19:39 "Balancing AI and Human Connection"

23:59 "Desire for a True Assistant"

26:49 "Understanding AI, Privacy, and Security"

About the guest :

Naman Bajpai

Company Website:http://www.encryptech.ai

Linkedin URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bajpainaman/

Business Linkedin URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encryptechai/

email: naman@encryptech.ai

About the host :

Solomon Williams is the founder of Solonox and the host of the podcast "AI Advantage." Dedicated to helping modern leaders navigate the future of technology, Solomon cuts through the noise and hype to deliver clear, insightful conversations about AI and automation. On his podcast, he shares his expertise, sometimes solo, sometimes alongside the brightest minds in tech, offering practical advice on what it really takes to grow smarter in a rapidly evolving digital world. With "AI Advantage," Solomon invites listeners to join him on a journey to decode the technologies shaping tomorrow.

Contact Solomon:

Website: https://solonox.net/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swilliams1992/

In this episode, host Solomon Williams sits down with Keegan Dillon - founder of JOINER Services and co-host of Automation Breakfast for a raw, insightful look at what a decade inside the world of automation really teaches you. After consulting across more than 57 manufacturing plants, Keegan has seen firsthand how the industry is evolving, where the real bottlenecks are, and what modern leaders must do to stay ahead.

This conversation cuts through the hype to explore the mindset, skills, and strategic moves required to build resilient, tech-driven businesses in a world where automation, AI, and robotics are rewriting the rules. From creating authentic content that actually connects to navigating machine learning and real-world implementation challenges, Keegan brings practical wisdom and hard-earned lessons from the field.

Key Moments:

01:18 "Contractor-Client Connection Platform"

04:06 "Engineers' Journeys in Automation"

08:52 "From Manual to Automation"

12:17 Automation Advancements and Workforce Evolution

14:50 Outdated Equipment Hurts Productivity

18:37 Advocating Honesty as a Contractor

21:48 Leveraging LinkedIn for Business Growth

24:19 Automating for Growth and Scale

27:45 Reshoring Challenges in Manufacturing

30:45 "Automating Sales and Client Outreach"

About the guest :
Keegan Dillon’s journey in consulting has been a story of adaptability and resourcefulness. Over six years, he worked with more than 57 different plants, encountering new and unique challenges at each site. Although many of the situations were unfamiliar, Keegan drew on his wide range of prior experiences to navigate each project successfully. By leaning on past knowledge and continually adapting to new environments, he built a reputation for problem-solving and versatility across the industry.

How to connect Keegan :
https://www.linkedin.com/in/keegandillon/

About the host :

Solomon Williams is the founder of Solonox and the host of the podcast "AI Advantage." Dedicated to helping modern leaders navigate the future of technology, Solomon cuts through the noise and hype to deliver clear, insightful conversations about AI and automation. On his podcast, he shares his expertise, sometimes solo, sometimes alongside the brightest minds in tech, offering practical advice on what it really takes to grow smarter in a rapidly evolving digital world. With "AI Advantage," Solomon invites listeners to join him on a journey to decode the technologies shaping tomorrow.

Contact Solomon:

Website: https://solonox.net/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swilliams1992/