When people talk about artificial intelligence, there’s often a lot of fear surrounding it. Will it replace jobs? Will it make creative businesses obsolete?
As the founder of Goodordering, my experience has been quite different.
Over the last few years, running a small independent business has become increasingly challenging. Costs have risen across almost every area of the business, from manufacturing and shipping to warehousing and marketing. At the same time, I’ve been navigating life with stage 4 breast cancer, balancing treatment, family life and work.
Like many small business owners, I’ve had to find ways to adapt.
A few years ago, Goodordering was operating in a very different way. I held larger amounts of stock and used a fulfilment warehouse to dispatch customer orders. But as costs increased and I looked for ways to simplify the business, I made a significant change.
I moved all of my stock out of the warehouse and into my garden shed.
It may not sound glamorous, but it has allowed me to reduce overheads, keep tighter control over inventory and fulfil orders myself.
The challenge, of course, is that when you’re packing orders, managing a website, creating content and designing products, every hour counts.
That’s where AI has become surprisingly useful.
A Team Member That Doesn’t Need a Desk
As a small business owner, I wear a lot of hats.
On any given day I might be a designer, marketer, photographer, copywriter, customer service representative, warehouse manager and accountant.
AI hasn’t replaced any of those jobs.
Instead, it has become a practical assistant that helps me work more efficiently.
The biggest benefit is time. Tasks that once took several hours can now often be completed in minutes, leaving me with more time to focus on designing products, connecting with customers and managing my health.
Helping Me Write Product Descriptions
One of the most obvious ways I use AI is for product descriptions.
I know my products inside out, but turning product features into engaging online copy can be surprisingly time-consuming.
When im launching a new bag, an upcycled accessory, a handmade item or one of my downloadable colouring books, AI helps me organise my thoughts and create a first draft.
I still edit everything to make sure it sounds like Goodordering, but it saves a huge amount of time.
Making SEO Less Intimidating
Like many small business owners, I’ve had to learn SEO on the job.
AI has helped me improve product titles, write meta descriptions, identify keywords and generate ideas for blog content.
Over the years I’ve written articles on everything from cycling culture to fashion trends, East London life and family activities.
Some examples include:
- The Future of Urban Mobility in London 2030
- What is Fishermancore?
- What is Gorpcore?
- The History of Cargo Bikes
- Best East London Parks for Summer Evenings
- How to Pack a Backpack Efficiently
These articles help bring new visitors to Goodordering while providing genuinely useful content for readers.
Endless Blog Post Ideas
One of the hardest parts of maintaining a blog is coming up with fresh ideas.
AI has become an excellent brainstorming partner.
Sometimes I’ll ask it to identify trends that align with Goodordering’s audience. Other times I’ll use it to explore subjects related to sustainability, cycling, travel, creativity or everyday urban life.
Many of the ideas that appear on the Goodordering blog start with a simple conversation and develop into a fully researched article.
As someone who enjoys writing but doesn’t always have hours available to plan content, this has been incredibly helpful.
Research Without Falling Down a Rabbit Hole
Research is important, but it can also be a huge time drain.
Whether I’m investigating a new fashion trend, learning about a cycling subculture or exploring a potential product idea, AI helps me get a quick overview of the topic.
For example, I’ve used it to research topics including:
- Urban mobility trends
- Bicycle history
- Sustainable materials
- Emerging fashion aesthetics
- London lifestyle trends
- Family activities and crafts
Rather than spending an entire afternoon that i dont have opening dozens of browser tabs, I can quickly understand the basics and then dive deeper where needed.
A Creative Sounding Board
One thing people often misunderstand about AI is that it doesn’t replace creativity.
In my experience, it actually supports it.
Sometimes I use AI to explore product concepts, packaging ideas, colour combinations or branding options.
Recently I’ve used it to help generate ideas for upcycled products made from Ikea bags, branding options for handmade paracord keyrings and content ideas for my downloadable colouring books.
The final decisions are always mine, but having a brainstorming partner available whenever inspiration strikes is incredibly useful.
Helping Me Run a Leaner Business
Perhaps the biggest impact AI has had is helping me run Goodordering as a leaner business.
By moving stock from a fulfilment warehouse into my garden shed, I’ve significantly reduced overheads.
However, fulfilling orders myself means there are fewer hours available for marketing, content creation and administration.
AI helps bridge that gap.
It can help me with:
- Writing blog posts
- Drafting emails
- Planning content calendars
- Organising information
- Improving SEO
- Creating product descriptions
- Researching trends
- Generating social media captions
In effect, it allows me to achieve more without increasing costs.
For a small independent business, that’s incredibly valuable.
AI Won’t Replace Small Businesses
Despite all its advantages, AI cannot create the heart of a business.
It didn’t start Goodordering in 2012.
It didn’t design my bags.
It hasn’t spent years talking to customers at markets, learning what people need from their products or building relationships with the cycling community.
It hasn’t experienced the highs and lows of running a business while managing health challenges and raising a family.
The things that make independent businesses special are still deeply human.
What AI can do is remove some of the friction that comes with running a business.
It can help with research, writing, organisation and planning.
For me, that means more time spent on creativity, customers, family and health—and less time stuck behind a screen doing repetitive tasks.
Far from replacing my business, AI has helped me keep it going.
And that’s something I never expected to say.
Related Articles on Goodordering
- Future of Urban Mobility in London 2030
- What is Fishermancore?
- What is Gorpcore?
- A to Z of Cargo Bikes
- How to Pack Your Backpack
- Best East London Parks for Summer Evenings
- Sustainable Packaging for Gifts
- Occupations That Are AI Proof
“People often ask whether AI will replace small businesses. My experience has been the opposite. From writing product descriptions to helping me run Goodordering from my garden shed, AI has become an invaluable assistant. Here’s how I use it to save time, reduce costs and focus on what matters most.”
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