Are you ready for the AI disruption that’s changing not just how you market—but how you show up as a leader?
AI disruption isn’t just shaking up industries—it’s redefining how executives connect with customers, present themselves, and make smarter business decisions. In this episode, you’ll learn how embracing AI-driven innovation can help you stand out, streamline your work, and future-proof your brand in a rapidly evolving digital world.
You’ll discover:
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How to turn your company’s unique data into a lasting competitive edge in the era of AI disruption.
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The power of blending personal style with technology to project confidence and save time.
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Real-world examples of how AI is transforming marketing, customer feedback, and even product design.
Tune in now to hear how forward-thinking CEOs are navigating AI disruption with confidence—and how you can use these insights to stay sharp, efficient, and ahead of the curve.
How AI Disruption Is Redefining Business, Data, and Leadership
[00:00] – Setting the Stage: The CEO Project and Today’s Topic
Jim Schlechter introduces the episode’s focus—how AI disruption is transforming digital marketing and e-commerce—and welcomes guest Anya Cheng, an expert in tech-driven retail innovation and founder of Taelor.
[03:15] – From Algorithms to Data: The Shift in AI Advantage
Anya explains that the old era of algorithms has given way to the AI era of unique data. She emphasizes that companies will all use similar large language models, but success depends on proprietary data that adds distinctive value.
[08:15] – Real-World Example: Turning Data into Gold
Anya shares a story of a dentist using decades of patient images to train a dental AI tool, showing how even small businesses can turn niche data into competitive advantage during the wave of AI disruption.
[12:30] – Founding Taelor: Solving a Personal Problem
Anya describes how her experience as a busy executive at Meta and Target inspired her to create a men’s clothing rental company powered by AI stylists—combining tech innovation with practical time-saving benefits.
[18:50] – The Power of Rental Over Ownership
She explains that Taelor isn’t just about clothes—it’s about time and freedom. By renting rather than buying, busy professionals save time, reduce decision fatigue, and still look sharp, redefining convenience in the AI-driven age.
[24:40] – Circular Fashion Meets AI Disruption
Anya dives into how Taelor partners with over 300 brands to use AI and customer feedback to reduce waste, enhance product quality, and fuel the growing circular fashion economy. This model also helps brands test new designs before full production.
Winning in the AI Era—Innovation, Marketing, and the Future of Work
[32:10] – Using AI for Real-Time Market Research
She reveals how Taelor provides suppliers with valuable customer feedback data—acting as a live beta test for fashion companies who want to understand market fit without relying on costly consulting firms.
[39:25] – Cracking the Code on AI Search Visibility
Anya outlines how Taelor’s hybrid human + AI content strategy helped it outperform GQ and other major media outlets on ChatGPT searches like “2025 men’s fashion trends.” The secret? Blending AI-generated insights with authentic, real-world feedback.
[45:10] – The New SEO: Content Beyond Text
She explains that AI search looks at more than words—it reads images, video, and user-generated content. Businesses must create multimedia-rich ecosystems if they want to win in the age of AI disruption.
[53:30] – Leadership Lessons and Future Outlook
Anya closes with advice for CEOs: focus on solving the right problem before chasing solutions. She reminds leaders that true innovation begins with asking better questions—a timeless skill that matters even more in an AI-driven world.
About Anya Cheng
Anya Cheng is the Founder and CEO of Taelor, a leading men’s clothing subscription service that provides personal styling and curated rentals, powered by expert stylists and AI. A Girls in Tech 40 Under 40 honoree, she previously led eCommerce and digital innovation teams at Meta, eBay, Target, and McDonald’s.