Strategy Over Shortcuts: Small Biz Growth That Lasts | Ep. 12 w/Lucy Wang (Pocketflows)
“AI without strategy is chaos.”
Lucy Wang, Co-Founder & CEO of Pocketflows, joins me for a straight-talking breakdown of what’s real in small business marketing today. From funnel nightmares to the trap of instant gratification, Lucy calls out the shortcuts that sabotage founders—and shows us what sustainable growth really takes.
Inside this episode, we dig into:
- 🚦 Why “cookie-cutter” AI marketing fails small businesses.
- 🧩 The hidden costs of shortcut thinking (spam, over-automation, blind ROAS chasing).
- 📈 The smarter path: building loyalty, visibility, and a repeatable flow for growth.
- 💡 Real stories of how businesses can ditch chaos and unlock clarity.
Lucy’s approach is sharp, practical, and refreshingly human. If you’ve ever wondered why your ads aren’t working, or why growth feels stuck in neutral, this is your blueprint for cutting through the noise.
👉 Connect with Lucy Wang:
- Pocketflows
- Lucy on LinkedIn
- 📧 lucy@pocketflows.com
🎙️ Subscribe to Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising? for more no-fluff conversations on what’s real (and what’s just noise).
Creators and Guests

Host
Adam W. Barney
Adam W. Barney is an energy coach, strategist, and author helping leaders and founders stay energized, build impact, and scale with optimism. He hosts “Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?” to unpack what’s working (and what’s just noise) in the agency world.
