As small businesses embrace 2026 with AI, we welcome Judy Nam, Vice President of Marketing for LinkedIn’s small business division, to the latest episode of The Small Business Show. Nam joins us to elaborate on the platform’s latest report, which highlights how professional networks, trust, and AI are empowering SMBs to grow, compete, and engage in entrepreneurship in unprecedented ways.
According to Nam, LinkedIn’s data shows that AI is prompting many employers to consider entrepreneurship for the first time. She notes that small businesses are now embracing AI as a catalyst for growth rather than a threat, with 76% of marketers reporting that AI helps smaller brands compete more effectively against larger competitors.
“The one nice thing about AI being everywhere is that it's everywhere. So if you are already using A, B, C, D tool to help run your business, my guess is those services are probably also trying to supercharge that product with AI to make your life more efficient.”
The platform’s data also shows a 69% year-over-year increase in LinkedIn members adding “founder” to their profiles, signaling a surge in professionals pursuing independent careers.
In addition to AI adoption, Nam stresses the importance of networks and trust in small business success. She asserts that 63% of respondents reported relying on their communities to make faster decisions, which reflects the need for entrepreneurs to lean on peers and experts to navigate challenges, build credibility with customers, and attract future employees.
Moreover, small business professionals are also leveraging content creation to establish their expertise. LinkedIn’s report finds that 65% of respondents share insights and demonstrate their skills online as a practice to build trust with customers and partners.
Nevertheless, Nam encourages entrepreneurs to start exploring AI immediately, even in small increments, to gain experience and confidence with the technology. “The best time to start, maybe, would have been two years ago. But, you know what, today is the second-best time to start,” she expressed.
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