AI Solutions for Business and Gen Z Impact with Charlie O'Brien

Charlie O’Brien, founder of EfficienzAI, shares how his company is making AI accessible for small businesses and government agencies with tools like BuildAITeams and Hedgemon.

As Chair of the Hampton Roads Gen-Z Commission and Operations Manager at 757 Collab, Charlie is focused on addressing challenges faced by Gen Z in the region, from talent retention to creating opportunities.

In this episode, learn how small businesses can implement AI today, why Hampton Roads is a promising place for Gen Z, and how 757 Collab supports entrepreneurship and innovation.

Chapters:(0:00) Introduction and MCON Shoutout (1:01) MCON's Kickstarter and Weekend Sports Talk (2:24) WWE on Netflix and CES Insights (4:02) Guest Introduction: Charlie O'Brie (5:17) NVIDIA, OpenAI, and the Future of Agentic AI (10:25) Charlie O'Brien's CES Takeaways and Zack on Vegas Planning (13:13) Charlie O'Brien's Journey to Entrepreneurship (16:24) Early Ventures and the Value of College Degrees (21:36) Zack's Career Shift from Sports to Entrepreneurship (25:14) The Outsider Advantage in Business (26:03) Introducing the Gen Z Commission (27:03) Gen Z Challenges in Hampton Roads: Housing and Healthcare (30:56) Hampton Roads Compared to Other Cities (32:03) Overcoming Regional Infighting (35:16) Economic Development and Regional Collaboration (40:07) Legacy vs. New Media in Hampton Roads (42:21) Multigenerational Workforce Communication (44:06) Bridging Grassroots and Leadership Gaps (46:39) AI's Impact on Business and Regional Identity (50:07) AI, Job Loss, and Micro Air Transit (53:18) Innovate Hampton Roads: Controlling the Narrative (1:00:04) Marketing for Entrepreneurs and Founder-Friendly Practices (1:03:42) Regulatory Challenges and Startup Emotional Toll (1:07:01) Celebrating Successes and Acknowledging Failures (1:08:32) Employee Roles and Non-CES Vegas Attractions (1:10:48) Local Food Recommendations and Donut Dugout (1:12:19) Shoutout to Jared Beasley and Episode Wrap-up

Guest links:https://www.linkedin.com/company/757-collab/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hrgenz/mycompany/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-obrien01/

ABOUT THE SHOW: Did you know that only 4% of businesses hit $1M in revenue? Tim Ryan and Zack Miller are the creators of The Fervent Four Show, designed to help you get there.

ABOUT THE HOSTS: Zack Miller is a serial entrepreneur and author of Anomaly, a guide on differentiating yourself and your business from the crowd. Tim Ryan is an angel investor and the Executive Director of Innovate Hampton Roads, an organization dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs with resources in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Tim also serves as the Director of REaKTOR, a space for technology-based startups to start and grow.

Check them out Live every Thursday at 11 AM: https://www.innovate757.org/live/