Marcos Rojas is a 2X startup founder with over 10 years of experience, building his career at the intersection of entrepreneurship, tech, and innovation. He is passionate about using AI to help solopreneurs, small businesses, and freelancers save time, boost their marketing, and grow faster.
At AI Growth Coach, he delivers actionable AI workflows and strategies that drive results—helping businesses streamline operations, cut costs, and increase marketing performance by up to 50%.
Marcos also created The AI Edge Newsletter, a resource for staying ahead of AI trends. Packed with tips on social media, content marketing, lead generation, and business strategy, it’s trusted by entrepreneurs looking to work smarter and stay competitive.
From scaling DishQuo, a B2B2C SaaS platform, to growing AI Growth Coach, Marcos has turned ideas into thriving businesses by combining proven strategies, strategic innovation, and perseverance.
If your business could have a mascot, what would it be and why?
If my business could have a mascot, it would be an owl with a futuristic twist—maybe with sleek metallic feathers or glowing eyes. The owl represents wisdom, insight, and adaptability, all of which align with how we approach using AI: empowering solopreneurs and small businesses to make smarter, data-driven decisions. The futuristic design reflects the innovation and cutting-edge tools we bring to our audience, bridging the gap between traditional expertise and modern AI-powered strategies. It’s the perfect symbol of combining intelligence and technology to help businesses soar.
What strategies do you employ to maintain a healthy work-life balance while running your own business?
To maintain a healthy work-life balance while running my business, I rely on a few key strategies that keep everything in sync. I set clear work hours and stick to them, making sure there’s a real separation between work and personal time. By focusing on high-priority tasks and using the 80/20 rule, I can make the biggest impact without overloading myself. Delegating tasks to my team also helps me stay focused on what truly matters.
Time-blocking has been a game-changer for me. I schedule specific blocks of time for work and personal activities, ensuring I stay productive while still making space for what I value most. Being passionate about health and wellness for over 20 years, I prioritize exercise, meditation, and activities that help me recharge. Taking care of my well-being is essential to showing up fully for both my business and personal life.
I also rely heavily on AI tools and automation to streamline repetitive tasks and save time. This not only makes my workflows more efficient but also gives me the freedom to focus on more creative and strategic aspects of my business. Flexibility is equally important—unexpected challenges are part of entrepreneurship, so I stay adaptable and adjust my schedule as needed while maintaining balance.
By combining these strategies, I’ve found a way to grow my business while keeping life fulfilling and sustainable.
When faced with unexpected detours on your business path, how do you pivot with grace and resilience, showing fellow women entrepreneurs the way forward?
When faced with unexpected detours in my business journey, I remind myself that it’s all part of the process. Each challenge is an opportunity to reflect, iterate, and move closer to success. I focus on figuring out what went wrong, always keeping the perspective that every setback holds a valuable lesson.
My first step is to analyze the situation and prioritize the biggest aspects that could impact my goals. I reflect on what didn’t work and take the time to study how others have navigated similar challenges. This combination of self-reflection and learning from others helps me approach pivots with clarity and purpose.
I also believe in involving my team, maintaining open communication, and ensuring everyone is aligned on the adjustments we need to make. I stay flexible, leveraging tools like AI to optimize strategies and explore new opportunities.
With each iteration, I see it as a step in the right direction, not just for myself but for others watching and learning. It’s about staying resilient, maintaining perspective, and showing that detours can often lead to an even better path forward.
How do you measure the success of your business beyond financial metrics, such as customer satisfaction or community engagement?
For me, success goes beyond financial metrics—it’s about the experience we deliver, the results our community achieves, and the value our customers feel they’re getting. User experience and CSAT are at the core of this.
I focus on gathering feedback through surveys, conversations, and observing how people engage with our offerings. It’s not just about what we think works; it’s about ensuring customers feel supported and see tangible results from what we provide.
Community engagement and outcomes are also key measures of success. When members actively participate, share their wins, and achieve meaningful results, it’s a clear sign we’re creating real value. Their progress and growth are as much a measure of success as anything else.
At the end of the day, it’s about building trust, delivering results, and ensuring customers feel their time and investment are worthwhile. Seeing them succeed is the ultimate indicator that we’re on the right path.
Can you share a memorable moment where you witnessed significant growth or transformation in your business, illustrating the impact of your services/products?
One of the most memorable moments in my entrepreneurial journey was at DishQuo, when we started to see the fruits of our efforts in achieving initial traction. After spending countless hours engaging with potential customers, gathering their feedback, and refining the product to meet their needs, everything started to click.
I remember the moment when we saw a noticeable increase in user adoption and engagement—it was like all the hard work we had poured into understanding our customers and iterating on the product had paid off. Customers began reaching out, not just using the platform but expressing how much value it was bringing to their lives. Seeing those results validated all the late nights and persistence in getting the product right.
That experience reinforced the importance of listening to your audience, making data-driven decisions, and staying committed to delivering real value. It was a defining moment that illustrated the power of truly aligning a product with customer needs.
What role do you believe mentorship plays in the success of small businesses, and how have mentors influenced your own entrepreneurial journey?
Mentorship is absolutely essential for the success of small businesses, especially for those who are new to entrepreneurship or navigating a specific industry. The right mentor can save you years of trial and error by sharing their insights and helping you avoid common pitfalls. I truly believe mentorship is one of the smartest investments you can make in your personal and business growth.
That said, finding a mentor you genuinely click with isn’t always easy. It requires an open mind—you can’t pour into a full cup, as they say. Being willing to listen, learn, and adjust is key to getting the most out of the relationship.
Personally, mentors and advisors have played a pivotal role in my entrepreneurial journey. There have been so many moments where I didn’t know what I didn’t know, and having someone with experience open my eyes to new perspectives or strategies has been invaluable. My advice is to find someone who has already achieved what you aspire to and make sure the partnership is a good fit. The right mentor can truly change the trajectory of your business and your life.
What’s your work all about, and how does it make a difference in the world?
At AI Academy, our work is all about empowering solopreneurs and small businesses to harness the power of AI to achieve their goals, grow successful businesses, and reclaim their time. We understand that these entrepreneurs often have the least resources but the greatest potential to thrive with the right tools and strategies.
Through actionable AI workflows, practical training, and a supportive community, we simplify complex AI tools so they can work smarter—not harder. Our mission is not just about helping businesses grow; it’s about enabling solopreneurs to build the business they’ve always dreamed of, while creating the freedom to enjoy their success.
We believe that when small businesses thrive, communities grow stronger. By making AI accessible and actionable, we’re helping entrepreneurs achieve more with less stress—and that’s a difference we’re proud to make in the world.
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