In today’s world of business, automation is no longer just a helpful tool—it’s a survival strategy. According to Dean Mercado, founder and CEO of Online Marketing Muscle, the real game changer isn’t just generative AI like ChatGPT—it’s what comes next: Agentic AI.

“Think of AI agents as your digital co-workers,” said Mercado. “Unlike traditional tools, AI agents can learn, adapt, and take action without your constant input. They don’t just tell you what to do—they actually do it.”

Mercado breaks down what agentic AI really means, why it’s the next leap in business evolution, and how small businesses—especially in industries like cleaning and restoration—can use it to finally escape the day-to-day grind.

What is agentic AI?

Most people are now familiar with generative AI—tools like ChatGPT that respond to prompts with creative outputs. Mercado referred to these as starters. “They help you think clearer, organize your thoughts, generate content, even map out plans,” he said. “But they stop short of action.”

Agentic AI, on the other hand, doesn’t wait for instructions every time. It starts with a goal and does what’s needed to accomplish it—like a team member who doesn’t just show up but takes initiative.

“It’s not just smarter automation,” said Mercado. “Agentic AI thinks, reasons, and executes. It’s about giving you space in your business—what I call ‘cloning the owner.’”

Are you ready for agentic AI?

To illustrate who’s ready for this shift, Mercado outlined ten signs that indicate a business could benefit from AI agents. The list starts with a familiar frustration:

1. You’re buried in repeatable tasks. “If you’re doing the same thing over and over, you’re a prime candidate,” he said. “This is where automation and AI shine—handling what doesn’t require your genius.”
2. You’re the follow-up system. Are you still using sticky notes to remember who to call back? Mercado said you need to automate that yesterday.
3. You’re the glue holding everything together. “If everything has to run through you, you’re not running a business—you’re running a bottleneck,” he warned.
4. You’ve tried automation tools—but they overwhelmed you. “Agentic AI is pushing toward simplicity—interacting in plain English to get complex jobs done,” he said.
5. You want help—but don’t want to hire. Maybe you need an assistant—but not for payroll or training. “This is where AI becomes your silent partner,” Mercado explained.
6. You answer the same questions every day. “How much does it cost? What’s included?” If you’re repeating yourself daily, Mercado expressed that AI agents can automate these interactions without sacrificing personalization.
7. Your systems still live in your head. “If it’s all up here,” he said, pointing to his head, “you can’t scale. Use generative AI to extract those systems, then use agentic AI to run them.”
8. You’ve hit a wall. “You can grow—but you can’t scale. That’s your cue to start leveraging tech. Scale your efficiency, not your effort,” Mercado advised.
9. You’re the bottleneck. “The biggest opportunity for growth often starts with getting yourself out of the way,” he said. “Admitting you’re the bottleneck isn’t failure—it’s freedom.”
10. You’re scared of giving up control. “This is a mindset issue,” Mercado said. “You don’t have to give control to the tech. You train it. You monitor it. It works for you.”

Cloning the owner

Mercado’s firm helps companies build what he calls “cloned systems”—replicas of how the owner would do things, embedded into software that can do it at scale.

“I’m not saying replace people,” he clarified. “I’m saying extract your genius, document it, and let the technology run it your way—every single time.”

This is especially relevant for service industries like cleaning and indoor air quality, where owners often wear too many hats. From client follow-ups to scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and even lead nurturing, AI agents can free up the owner to work on—not in—the business.

“You’re the most expensive employee in your company,” Mercado emphasized. “Why are you answering frequently asked questions (FAQs) all day when you could automate that and focus on strategic growth?”

Agentic AI makes your business valuable

Mercado also makes a compelling case for systemizing your business now—not just for efficiency, but for valuation.

“If your systems only exist in your head or depend on certain people, your business won’t fetch top dollar when you want to sell,” he said. “Buyers want scalable, repeatable processes—and that’s what agentic AI helps create.”

He cautions, though, that this transformation isn’t instant or foolproof. “The tech isn’t perfect. I argue with my AI tools all the time,” he joked. “But it’s moving fast—and the companies who wait too long will get left behind.”

The fear factor

Many business owners hesitate to hand over control to AI, fearing it will take over or make costly mistakes.

Mercado’s response? You’re still in charge.

“This isn’t about domination—it’s about enhancement,” he remarked. “Use it to amplify your strengths, not replace your humanity. But do it now—because the clock is ticking.”

He advises business owners to bring this conversation into every team meeting. “You should be asking: Can agentic AI help here? Could we automate this? Could we scale it? If you’re not thinking that way, your competitors are.”

Start small, scale smart

Mercado encourages business owners to start small. Identify one repeatable process. Document it. Test an automation. Then scale.

“Don’t dive into the deep end and expect perfection. But don’t sit on the sidelines either. Find a trusted partner, a tech-savvy team member, or a coach who can help you move forward.”

Because ready or not, Mercado insists, the future is already here.

“Two years from now, business is going to look vastly different,” he said. “Five years? You won’t even recognize it.”

And if you’re still doing things the same way you always have? “You won’t just fall behind—you’ll disappear.”

Work smarter, not harder

For cleaning companies and other service-based businesses, agentic AI isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline. Whether it’s follow-up emails, lead nurturing, quoting, or systemizing the way you run operations, AI agents can help you work smarter, not harder.

But the first step isn’t technical—it’s mental. Let go of the myth that you must do it all. As Mercado puts it: “You don’t have to be the one doing everything anymore. You just have to be the one who makes the decision to change.”

And that decision? It’s due today.

Jeff Cross is the media director for ISSA, which publishes three print media brands. He can be reached at [email protected] or 740-973-4236.

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