INTERVIEW | Heart of the Hustle: Meet Jeff Hui & Jumpstart AI

mrcantile was shaped by my passion for meeting small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) where they are while supporting business initiatives across large companies like Yelp, Instagram, and Twitter. People running large organizations sometimes forget (or never knew) what it's like to wear every hat while wondering what business will look like a month out or where resources like tech, workspace, or investments are coming from next. We love to bridge the gap between the small business mindset and big corporations.

During May, mrcantile is inviting early-stage startups and established, large organizations (strapped for the time, resources, and talent to develop the go-to-market strategies and compelling marketing that speak to SMBs, entrepreneurs, and makers) to get to know some of our favorite independent business owners and learn about what their days look like. 

To officially kick off Small Business Month, I chatted with my former teammate and friend, Jeff Hui, CEO of Jumpstart AI. 

Jumpstart AI is a cutting-edge startup founded by Jeff, a seasoned growth leader passionate about leveraging technology to empower businesses. Established just nine months ago, Jumpstart AI specializes in providing AI-powered video solutions to streamline operations and enhance efficiency for businesses of all sizes.

Jeff and his team want to revolutionize how businesses approach video production by harnessing the power of generative AI. They strive to empower entrepreneurs and organizations with innovative tools that simplify the creative process and drive tangible results.

Jumpstart AI offers a range of services tailored to meet the diverse needs of their clients:

• AI-Powered Video Production: Their proprietary technology utilizes generative AI algorithms to automate the video creation, saving businesses time and resources.

• Consultation & Strategy: They work closely with clients to understand their unique goals and challenges and provide personalized guidance on how to leverage AI technology effectively.

• Training & Support: Their team of experts is dedicated to ensuring clients have the knowledge and resources they need to succeed with AI-powered video production.

Morgan: Hi Jeff, thanks for sitting down with me today! Could you tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company, Jumpstart AI?

Jeff: Absolutely! I'm Jeff Hui, the CEO of Jumpstart AI. Our mission is all about helping business owners harness the power of generative AI to streamline their operations and boost efficiency. We've been at it for about nine months now with a small but mighty team of four.

Morgan: That's fantastic! What inspired you to venture into the world of independent business ownership, especially in the realm of AI-powered videos?

Jeff: Well, it all started during the pandemic when I decided to leave my corporate job in search of more freedom. I dabbled in freelance consulting for a couple of years and realized I wanted to build something more long-lasting. The idea for Jumpstart came from a need I observed in my consulting work - many businesses struggled with creative tasks like video production. When I saw the potential of generative AI, I knew I could bridge that gap and offer a valuable service.

Morgan: It sounds like you found a niche that perfectly aligned with your expertise and the market demand. How did you tackle the challenges of starting your own business, and did you seek advice along the way?

Jeff: Oh, absolutely, I sought advice. I mean, I leaned heavily on you for guidance! As for challenges, I think the uncertainty was both the most exciting and the most daunting aspect. Leaving the safety net of a corporate job to venture into the unknown was exhilarating, but it also came with its fair share of anxiety.

Morgan: Speaking of challenges, what's been your proudest moment so far as a business owner?

Jeff: You know, I haven't really had a moment where I stopped and thought, "Wow, we've made it!" Every day brings new hurdles to overcome, but that's also what keeps me going. I guess my proudest moments are the small victories - seeing our clients succeed with the help of our AI-powered videos.

Morgan: That's a humble yet powerful perspective. So, what keeps you motivated on the tougher days?

Jeff: Helping other startups and business owners is a big motivator for me. There's also the sheer excitement of working in the tech space. Generative AI is such a rapidly evolving field, and I don't want to miss out on any of the innovations happening.

Morgan: It's clear you have a passion for what you do. Now, looking ahead, where do you see Jumpstart AI in the next five years?

Jeff: Honestly, I have no idea, and I'm okay with that. The beauty of being an independent business owner is that you get to chart your own course. Right now, I'm focused on finding a path to sustainable growth for Jumpstart. Beyond that, who knows? The possibilities are endless.

Morgan: To get to where you are today with Jumpstart, have you had to make sacrifices in pursuit of this business? If so, what were they, and how do you feel about those decisions now?

Jeff: Yes, there have been sacrifices. Firstly, balancing family time has been challenging, and while I strive to be present, it's not always easy. I've also had to transition away from a successful advisory business and hit pause on other entrepreneurial ideas I'd like to explore, but the timing isn't right.

Morgan: You've obviously thought a lot about the business, and how it can help those around you, employees or otherwise. What does leadership look like to you as an independent business owner? 

Jeff: Being willing to juggle ALL the hats - HR, mentor / manager, do-er, admin, sales, everything.  Every day is a different task - which is why I love it.

Morgan: If you could wave a wand and have consumers/cities better support small businesses - what would that look like? 

Jeff: More resources.  We need office space and places to meet that are affordable, or free.  We need laptops, we need inexpensive, reliable internet. We need grants. We are a digital service business, so the small business shopping days don't help us as much.  We need access to everyday resources.

Morgan: How will you support small businesses this month?

Jeff: Some of the people on my team have small businesses outside of Jumpstart.  I'm trying to share the scarce resources with them! 

Morgan: Well, Jeff, it's been a pleasure chatting with you and gaining insight into the world of Jumpstart AI. Before we wrap up, any final thoughts or advice for aspiring entrepreneurs out there?

Jeff: Keep pushing forward, even on the tough days. And don't be afraid to embrace the uncertainty - it's where the magic happens. Oh, and surround yourself with good people. Having a solid support network can make all the difference.