Inside Grow 2025: Game-Changing Tools and Insights for Small Business Success

Small business growth is evolving, and Grow 2025 was the place to see it in action. Entrepreneurs, marketing pros, and business owners gathered to explore how AI is transforming every aspect of running a business — from marketing and customer engagement to operational efficiency.

The message was clear: growth isn’t about working harder — it’s about working smarter. Thryv showcased AI-driven tools that help small businesses save time, connect more meaningfully with customers, and scale with confidence. Here’s a full recap of the insights, strategies, and product breakthroughs that had the audience buzzing.

From Overlooked to Iconic: Thryv’s Growth Framework

Thryv Chief Customer Officer Grant Freeman opened the conference with a framework for turning overlooked businesses into iconic brands. His three-step formula — clarity, consistency, and connection — underscored a critical point: growth starts with systems, not stress.

Growth doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of strategy and the right tools working together.

That theme — smarter systems over sheer effort — set the tone for every session that followed.

Barbara Corcoran — Turning Rejection into Results

Barbara Corcoran, Shark Tank investor and founder of The Corcoran Group, delivered a masterclass in resilience. Her advice for small business owners:

• Let rejection fuel you. Every “no” is a sign you’re on the right track.
• Lead with your story. Authenticity breeds confidence and trust.
• Think scrappy, act bold. Small businesses can leverage agility as their competitive advantage.

Barbara reminded attendees that success is rarely perfect — it’s built through persistence, creativity, and purpose.

Lisa Landsman, Google — Get Found in the Age of AI

Lisa Landsman, Head of SMB Success at Google, shared how AI is transforming online visibility. Her key takeaway: your online presence is now both your storefront and your AI-powered gatekeeper. She recommended:

• Keep Google Business Profiles updated with photos, FAQs, and reviews.
• Pair SEO with paid ads for maximum reach.
• Focus on conversions, not just clicks.

With AI tools like Thryv’s new offerings, businesses can manage online presence efficiently while staying visible to both people and algorithms.

Jay Schwedelson — Marketing That Works

Marketing expert Jay Schwedelson energized the audience with 12 actionable tactics small businesses can implement immediately. From compelling email subject lines to leveraging testimonials, his mantra was simple:

Data doesn’t lie — your audience tells you what works.

Emily Washcovick, Yelp — Build Lifelong Customers

Emily Washcovick, Yelp’s Local Business Expert, focused on turning first-time buyers into loyal customers. Her checklist included:

• Claim and update all business listings.
• Respond quickly to leads and reviews.

Follow up post-sale with a thank-you message or special offer.

Customer loyalty doesn’t just happen. It’s created — one great experience at a time.

Brad Martineau — Automation Without Losing the Human Touch

Brad Martineau, Founder of SixthDivision, showed how automation can simplify follow-ups, onboarding, and nurturing campaigns without replacing personality.

Automation shouldn’t replace your personality — it should amplify it.

His real-world examples provided attendees with a roadmap for scaling efficiently while maintaining human connection.

Day Two: Where Innovation Meets Implementation

Friday’s sessions focused on AI in action, showing how small businesses can streamline operations and reclaim time for strategy and growth.

Thryv Tech in Action — From Manual to Magical

Rees Johnson, Thryv’s Chief Product Officer, unveiled AI tools that eliminate repetitive work:

• Caption AI: Create social posts in seconds.
• AI Review Response: Automate authentic replies to customer feedback.
• AI Content & Automation Assistants: Build campaigns without starting from scratch.

These tools free small business owners to focus on growth and relationships while AI handles the busywork.

Websites Built for the AI Era

Russ Jeffrey (Duda) and Ezra Witt (Thryv) emphasized that websites now serve as critical data sources for AI search tools. Keeping content accurate and structured is essential. Thryv’s new AI Website Builder allows owners to generate full, SEO-ready sites in minutes — complete with design, images, and copy — helping businesses get found fast.

Sharon Lee Thony — AI With Purpose

Sharon Lee Thony, Founder of SLT Consulting, delivered a practical workshop on using AI effectively:

• Start small — automate one task at a time.
• Stay creative — use AI to inspire, not replace.
• Stay curious — the right tool beats having every tool.

AI is powerful, but it still needs your human edge.

David Heath, Bombas — Purpose-Driven Branding

David Heath, Co-founder of Bombas, closed Grow 2025 by sharing how mission-driven brands win loyalty. His formula: Purpose + People + Product = Loyalty. When your mission drives marketing and your team believes in it, customers notice — and stay.

Grow 2025 Product Announcements: Smarter, AI-Powered Business Tools

Thryv revealed several tools designed to help businesses Market, Sell, and Grow from one connected AI-powered platform:

Market: Get Found Faster

• AI Website Builder: Generate professional, SEO-ready websites in minutes.

Sell: Close Deals Smarter

• AI Call Analysis: Turn phone calls into actionable insights, flag leads, and automate follow-ups.

Grow: Drive Repeat Business

• Thryv + Keap Integration: Automate lead nurturing and manage follow-ups seamlessly.

These innovations help small businesses save time, connect smarter, and grow stronger.

The Takeaway: Growth That’s Automated, Connected, and Human

From inspiring talks to hands-on product demos, Grow 2025 made one thing clear: the future of small business growth is powered by AI — but it’s still deeply human.

Whether you’re building your first website, optimizing customer follow-ups, or launching smarter campaigns, Thryv and AI help you Market, Sell, and Grow — all from one platform.