This week on Empowered by AI, we’re joined by Tatiana Ferreira—luxury retail veteran turned AI operations expert, founding partner of the Aurora Retail Accelerator, and podcaster. With decades of experience leading billion-dollar operations at Disney, Louis Vuitton, and Neiman Marcus, Tatiana now helps businesses cut through the AI noise and focus on what truly moves the needle.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by jargon, unqualified “AI experts,” or endless promises of plug-and-play solutions, this conversation will ground you in the clarity you’ve been craving. Tatiana shares her “30% Rule,” explains why most so-called “agents” aren’t really agents, and offers actionable strategies for entrepreneurs who want to scale trust and excellence with AI—without losing the human touch.

[00:01:00] From Disney & Louis Vuitton to AI adoption: Tatiana’s journey

[00:03:00] Lessons from luxury retail that apply to AI transformation

[00:06:00] Red flags when evaluating AI vendors and tools

[00:10:00] Why 95% of “agents” aren’t really agents

[00:13:00] The 30% Rule: protecting the human side of your business

[00:16:00] High-trust automation for solopreneurs and small businesses

[00:19:00] The key questions every leader should ask before investing in AI

[00:22:00] Real-world client examples from Aurora Retail Accelerator

[00:25:00] Why women’s perspectives are urgently needed in AI governance

[00:28:00] Breaking patterns of perfectionism and “waiting until you’re ready”

[00:30:00] How to connect with Tatiana and explore her podcast

Tatiana Ferreira’s straight talk is a refreshing antidote to the hype. If this episode sparked ideas for your own AI adoption, visit innovativeaistudio.com/podcast to take your next step with confidence.

Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes featuring real women making AI work in business, not just theory. Until next time—stay empowered, and keep innovating.