Behind The Hustle with Ann Marie Walts

What if I could fast-track your learning by sharing 30 years of hustling and what it takes to handle everything needed to run your own business?

What if I could help you overcome your fear of AI?

What if I told you I’m a hairstylist who, at a very young age, decided I wasn’t going to have a boss? Instead, I chose to build a business, work for myself, and focus solely on my clients without managing a staff.

It just so happens that I started using online booking in 2004, and here we are in 2025, with AI at the forefront. As I write this article, I’m actually recording myself talking to my laptop, using hands-free blogging because sometimes it’s better to use technology to capture creative thoughts.

Never did I imagine that automating my salon back in 2004 would put me ahead of many businesses, including salons, by creating an automated environment long before Walmart introduced its first self-checkout.

Over the past three and a half years, I’ve been using ChatGPT regularly. I never would have imagined that AI would become a daily tool for enhancing creativity, organizing my thoughts, and speeding up marketing plan creation.

How hard is it to use artificial intelligence?

It’s not hard at all. Just like you see me writing this blog hands-free, it truly can be that easy.

So, my question to you is: What’s holding you back? Are you afraid? Or do you think it’s too complicated?

About a year ago, I became certified by HighLevel, a software company, while still being a hairstylist. The biggest challenge I’ve faced over the past 30 years is not being defined by a single profession.

If you’re a hairstylist who loves doing hair, there’s nothing wrong with that. However, maybe someone once told you that you should have gone to college. That’s why I like to talk about what’s behind the hustle.

We all need to hustle at some point in our lives. But what does hustle mean to you? Have you defined your hustle?

Does hustle mean having more money, more time, or both?

This is where I get excited! Automating my salon 20 years ago enabled me to stay ahead of the curve, just as it can for you.

Implementing automation allowed me to do more, have more time, and operate without employees. I’m not saying having employees is bad—I’m simply sharing my story of how automation freed up my time and hands, enabling me to use dictation software like this for a rough blog draft. Sometimes, our ideas flow faster than our hands can type.

On my website, AnnMarieWalts.com, I’m excited to share my journey. It serves as a content creation hub with a side of affiliate marketing, designed to help you learn what’s taken me 30 years to figure out.

If you implement even one thing I share and it improves your life—whether by increasing your income or giving you more time—then I’ll feel accomplished.

This blog exists to communicate my story: It’s absolutely possible and fun not to be pigeonholed by the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s my mission to show that you can excel at multiple things—you don’t have to limit yourself to one career for life.

My recommendation? Focus 100% on what you’re working on in the moment.

Another takeaway: Don’t expect people to fully understand what you’re capable of—only you know what you can achieve.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over 30 years, it’s this: I’m happy where I am, and I’m grateful for the chance to share both my failures and successes. Some of my experiences have turned out better than I ever could have planned.

As I continue writing, one thing I can guarantee is that we don’t always get to choose where we start or where we’ll end up. However, every single day, we have the choice to move toward our goals.

Seriously.