The digital landscape for Eswatini’s entrepreneurs is shifting from hustle to high-tech following a week of high-impact training sessions with American technology entrepreneur Dawn Dickson.
As MSMEs across the Kingdom look to scale, Dickson’s observations offer a clear roadmap. She stated that the secret to competing on a global stage lies in mastering a specific suite of modern digital tools.
Reflecting on her sessions with local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Dickson emphasized that the democratization of technology means a one-person shop in Manzini can now operate with the same efficiency as a powerhouse in Silicon Valley.
To help local business owners navigate this transition, Dickson identified five essential tools that allow businesses to automate the mundane and focus on high-level growth.
1. Claude and ChatGPT for Strategic Planning
Beyond simple chatbots, Dickson highlighted these as the brains of the operation. Whether it is drafting professional business proposals, localizing marketing copy for the Eswatini market, or simulating customer feedback, these AI models act as a 24/7 executive assistant.
2. Replit for Rapid Digital Development
For MSMEs that need custom digital solutions but lack a coding background, Replit is a game-changer. It allows entrepreneurs to build, host, and deploy software and websites with AI assistance, making tech development accessible to everyone without a computer science degree.
3. Canva AI for Professional Branding
Branding is the first point of contact for any customer. Dickson highlighted how Canva’s integrated AI tools allow local businesses to generate high-end social media assets, logos, and presentations in seconds, ensuring that an MSME’s visual identity remains world-class.
4. Captions AI for High Impact Video
With video content dominating social media algorithms, Dickson pointed to Captions AI as a vital tool. It automates the process of adding engaging, accurate subtitles to videos, which is essential for reaching diverse audiences and ensuring content stands out in a crowded digital feed.
5. Generative AI for Creative Efficiency
Rounding out the toolkit, Dickson encouraged the use of generative AI across all creative workflows. Utilizing these tools collectively allows entrepreneurs to cut down on overhead costs while significantly increasing their content output and professional polish.
AI is an Employee, Not a Replacement
While the tools are powerful, Dickson was quick to warn entrepreneurs against the autopilot trap. She emphasized that the biggest mistake an MSME can make is thinking AI will do all the work for them.
According to Dickson, AI is a partner that requires significant human brainpower to program and direct.
“AI works with us. It doesn’t do all the work. It works for us and with us. It can’t replace us. There’s so so much human brain power required to then program your AI.”
She cautioned that business owners must avoid being intimidated by the technology while also maintaining a healthy level of skepticism regarding its accuracy.
“AI can hallucinate. You have to double-check what it says. You have to really check up on it the same way you check up on an employee. You can’t just leave AI to do its work and say, ‘oh, it’s AI, so it’s right.’ No, you have to make sure that you still have to check up behind it.”
How to Start
For startups and small businesses with limited resources, Dickson suggests starting simple. Instead of rushing into complex implementation, she recommends using AI as an agent to streamline daily tasks and act as a high-level thought partner.
While many gravitate toward ChatGPT, Dickson noted her personal preference for more robust platforms.
“I personally prefer Claude over ChatGPT because it’s just more—it has a better output and it has better functionality as far as what it can do. It can design presentations and I don’t run up against a lot of roadblocks.”
For those just beginning their AI journey, Dickson’s advice is to treat the technology as a sounding board.
“Just start there before you start implementing it. Just get familiar and comfortable with just how to do prompts. Prompts are everything. That is what’s going to help shape your output. And it takes your human brain to do a prompt.”
About Dawn Dickson
Dawn Dickson is a powerhouse serial entrepreneur and inventor who has spent over two decades bridging the gap between digital convenience and physical retail.
A true pioneer in the Automated Retail space, she is the founder of PopCom, a company that utilizes facial recognition and AI-powered smart vending machines to help brands understand their customers in real-time.
Beyond her inventions, Dickson is a historic figure in the world of finance, she was the first female founder globally to raise over $1 million via a secure token offering (STO) through equity crowdfunding, eventually securing over $7 million from a community of 10,000+ investors.
Whether she is designing rollable shoes for her brand Flat Out of Heels or testifying before the U.S. Congress on financial technology, Dickson’s career is defined by her ability to bypass traditional gatekeepers.