Trunk Tools Highlighted in Inc.com Article, “6 Tips to Use AI to Revolutionize Operations”
Article Title: 6 Tips to Use AI to Revolutionize Operations
Author: Elizabeth Gore, Founder & President
Excerpt:
On a recent episode of The Big Idea from Yahoo Finance, I sat down with Sarah Buchner, founder and CEO of Trunk Tools, to talk about how AI technology is reshaping one of the world’s oldest industries.
Buchner’s story starts far from Silicon Valley. Growing up in Austria, she began working in construction with her father at just 12 years old, learning every layer of the trade from the ground up. Years later, after moving to the United States, she founded Trunk Tools, an AI platform built to organize unstructured data, automate workflows, and empower field workers.
Buchner shared that construction is the second-biggest industry after health care, and $13 trillion to $14 trillion per year is spent on it.
As we talked, I was struck by how universal her lessons are. Whether you are running a construction firm or a creative agency, the principles behind her success apply to anyone looking to scale smarter, not harder. Here are six takeaways on using AI to streamline business from my conversation with Buchner:
Choose the right AI partner.
AI is not going to take your job, but someone using AI could. So it’s important for white-collar workers to adopt it now. Buchner recommends sticking with the industry you have expertise in and looking into how AI can streamline your operations. When it’s time to purchase AI, evaluate the company’s exprience, how long it’s been around, and whether it’s been doing AI with customers in your segment.
“Business owners in all industries should be really clear about buying vertical-specific AI from companies that have done this for a while,” Buchner said.
Start with one workflow.
Pick one workflow that is highly repetitive that you deeply understand and other people don’t deeply understand. Start building AI for it. Trying to automate too many things at once can lead to confusion, wasted time, and unreliable data. Instead, identify one task that slows down your team and test how AI can simplify it.
Don’t fear hearing no.
Buchner has raised $70 million and has more than 100 employees, but she’s been rejected many times along the way. She said things will not always move smoothly or in a straight line. However, it’s your job to get them back on track. Understand that hearing no is all part of the process.
Keep vision broad but the goal short.
Buchner recommends forgetting the five-year plan. Instead, stay agile and keep building. Brainstorm how you can use AI to organize and clean data drives, let it handle repetitive tasks, and invest in AI early. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
Know when to walk away from customers.
While Buchner believes in investing heavily in customer and market education, she’s also quick to recognize when a relationship isn’t the right fit. If potential clients resist change or refuse to adapt, she doesn’t waste energy trying to persuade them.
“I’d rather go with people who understand that things are changing and they need to jump on it,” Buchner said.
Before you raise money, ask if you really need it.
Consider whether you truly need venture capital. Most small businesses don’t, and can explore other options, such as debt financing. Treat fundraising like a sales process—know your audience, prepare your pitch, and understand the tradeoffs.
Buchner’s approach is a reminder that innovation starts with solving real problems. Streamlining operations is not just about efficiency. It’s about freeing people to focus on the work that matters most. Every founder faces the challenge of turning complexity into clarity. Buchner proves that with the right tools and mindset, even the most traditional industries can evolve faster than anyone expects.