The Breaking Trail Blog
We write about what we actually see. What is working. What is breaking. What to watch. Everything here comes from work we actually do, not from summarizing other people's ideas.
9posts
One engagement began as paid media management and ended up covering measurement, AI systems, agents and software. This is the sequence it followed, why measurement was the second step rather than the first, and the number we cannot publish.
The number behind most AI sales pitches traces to 52 interviews and 153 conference survey responses, and its source PDF is no longer served at its own address. Here is what we found and what we use instead.
AI receptionists misbook jobs, double-book techs, and can't read your CRM. The real problem is the integration layer, not the AI. Here's what actually fixes it.
Most AI marketing tools never prove they paid for themselves. Here's a measurement-first way to pick, run, and judge AI for small business marketing.
AI automation for small business in 2026 covers more than chatbots. Here's what it actually includes, the four paths to getting it built, what each one trades off, and how to choose between them.
The Richmond Fed's own data shows local businesses are using AI tools but haven't integrated them into operations. Here's what we found researching the Richmond market in 2026.
Most small business AI projects in Richmond fail for the same reasons. Here's what we've learned building real systems, and what to do differently.
Looking for AI consulting in Richmond, VA? Most local businesses are buying tools instead of building systems. Here is how to actually get ROI from AI.
Most AI deployments never show up on the P&L. Here is the three step framework small business owners use to turn a pile of AI subscriptions into a connected system: audit the stack, redesign the workflow, measure the result.