SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – More and more small businesses are turning to artificial intelligence to create brochures and social media posts.
About 48% of small businesses say they are already using AI for data and marketing, according to a Small Business Now report from Constant Contact.
Andrew Lovell is Creative Director at Camp Ape, a creative studio specializing in brands, campaigns and products. Lovell said he has noticed the shift small businesses are making toward using artificial intelligence, but said companies could miss out on the impact of a unique logo if they decide not to work with a graphic designer.
“I have a lot of designer friends, but we all do everything differently, operate differently and all that, but we also have a story to tell, and the way we help our clientele is the way we make an impact within their communities,” Lovell said.
Lovell said he understands that creating a unique experience costs time and money.
The average restaurant owner spends almost 2% of their total budget on marketing, according to an article published by the US Small Business Administration
For food truck owner Myisia Parker, every dollar counts. Parker owns Grubz 417 with her fiancé. She said she tried working with a graphic designer in the past, but the cost led her to test her own creativity.
“They charged like $100 for about 30 minutes and came back with another $100, meaning they had it divided into sections. And I just couldn’t afford that. So I thought I’d go out and try to do it myself. So that’s what I did and what I’m doing,” Parker said.
Parker said she doesn’t rely on AI, but rather uses it as a tool to help her reach people in her community, and it has saved her money.
“The money I would have spent on that, I can reinvest in my business. I can’t afford to have anyone pay anyone to work. But my grandson came and helped me,” Parker said.
68% of small business owners expect their marketing budgets to increase in 2026. according to Constant Contact. Parker said he will continue to work around his business’s marketing costs.
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