Chic Thompson on Creativity, AI, and the Future of Small Business Innovation Posted on March 30, 2026March 30, 2026 By Kekeletso Nkele, small.news Assistant (small.news) — On Mar. 18, 2026, Chic Thompson, Founder of WagiLabs, joined our small.talk to explore how creativity—especially when inspired by children—can fuel small business innovation. Chic spoke with Silver Lining Founder and CEO Carissa Reiniger. Drawing from his journey through health challenges and innovation, he highlights the importance of brainstorming, adaptability, and embracing tools like AI. Q: You’ve always admired how children energize brainstorming. Even without your own kids, you found ways to uplift younger generations. In what ways has inspiring children changed your personal and professional journey A: For years, I believed not having children was a choice, until health issues ruled it out. Nevertheless, those years were filled with fulfilling work and a strong marriage. That crossroads led me from Disney to launching my own cartoon company, starting at $10 an hour, sketching for clients like Henry Heimlich. With Henry Heimlich, I brought teaching cartoons to life and created the film Herpy, the new VD in town. For International Planned Parenthood, I made Peter Rises Again, pairing lively music with global lessons about condom use. For International Planned Parenthood, I created an animated film on condom use, blending lively music and important lessons for a global audience. Though that animated film was brief, I often joked that ideas are my kids. Top Stories Jessica Chen on the Creative Economy, Disappearing Arts Funding, and Why Artists Are Small Business Owners On September 23, 2026, Jessica Chen, a dancer, choreographer, and artistic director who runs the nonprofit dance company J Chen Project, joined our small.talk to make the case that artists are small business owners too, and that when creative work thrives, the surrounding community thrives with it. How Small Business Owners Are Actually Using AI to Market Smarter Aishah Coleman, an architecture and interior design business owner, taught an audience through the tools and habits that have reshaped how she runs her marketing — no technical background required. Indonesia’s Cosmetics Exports Rise 13.7% as Government Ramps Up SME Support and Tightens Regulatory Oversight Indonesia’s cosmetics exports reached $473.8 million in 2025, a 13.7% increase from $416.8 million the previous year , as the country’s Ministry of Industry moves to strengthen support for the small businesses that dominate the sector and help them compete in international markets, according to Personal Care Insights. Q: Who are better brainstormers, adults or kids? A: There’s real magic when kids and adults brainstorm side by side, but when kids are on their own, they often leave adults in the dust, dreaming up ten times more ideas. One of my favorite exercises with kids is holding up a box of baking soda and asking, ‘What could you do with this?’ Their answers never fail to surprise me. Adults usually come up with 13 to 17 uses in three minutes. But put a group of kids together, and they’ll fire off 33 to 60 ideas in just three minutes. Q: What is gained from being able to brainstorm and see all these things as the inspiration for the next idea? A: The best brainstormers treat themselves as talent scouts for ideas, focusing on strengths before flaws to inspire innovation. Here’s a story that illustrates this: One personal story comes from my experience with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a condition that means I don’t heal well. I had cataract surgery two years ago, but I didn’t heal. Now I have binocular double vision. I see two of you. With glasses, I see probably four. But what if a real emergency struck? That question sent me into brainstorming mode. I started exploring self-driving options in Charlottesville, Virginia, and last June, I took the plunge and bought a Tesla. And my hairstylist, whom I had known for 20 years, when I drove up to his salon in my car a couple of weeks later, was the first to say, “How could you?” Right. My point is, I understand where they’re coming from. However, they’re telling me what’s wrong. They don’t, they’re not walking in my shoes. This will allow me to drive for the next 10 years of my life. Q: The idea of America, that I feel like it prides itself on, is that it is the business center of the world, and it’s where innovation happens. What’s happening there? A: Bringing this back to education, opportunities are everywhere for both kids and adults. Teachers often tell me, ‘We teach for the test from 7:30 to three, then kids dash off to sports and after-school activities.’ The day transforms from academics to bursts of creativity. In Africa, after-school programs are rare. Instead, creativity is stitched directly into the fabric of the classroom experience. India takes a similar route. While private and public schools may differ, I’ve always felt that America itself is an idea—a living experiment in creativity. Even though America thrives on ideas and innovation, it still has its blind spots. By exploring what makes other cultures, like those in Canada and Europe, so inventive, we could learn much more. Likewise, even across the U.S., each region sparks innovation in its own way. Q: What are you most worried about for small business owners? And then what do you think is the biggest opportunity in the midst of all this change? A: Everything changed when AI burst onto the scene. People could now brainstorm alone, altering the nature of my work and redefining my role. It was fascinating, but I had to pivot and work hard to stay ahead of the curve. Once I saw its potential, I realized AI could become a powerful ally in my work. Before you even think about asking ChatGPT, jot down five ideas of your own first. Q: How do we support you? A: WagiLabs runs on volunteer power and grows by word of mouth. When a teacher or a group like Teach for America hears about us, the news spreads, and people reach out. We don’t do big campaigns. If you want to bring our curriculum to a Boys and Girls Club, a Montessori, or any school, I’d love to help. I can train teachers over Zoom and offer ongoing support. I believe small businesses can step in as coaches and mentors, seeing the value of this program up close. Teachers provide the academics, but students truly thrive when faced with real-world challenges. When local business leaders get involved, students become humanity’s R&D team, making a real impact—that’s the heart of the guppy tank. Do you want to shop small? Check out our new buy.small Marketplace! Latest Stories
Jessica Chen on the Creative Economy, Disappearing Arts Funding, and Why Artists Are Small Business Owners On September 23, 2026, Jessica Chen, a dancer, choreographer, and artistic director who runs the nonprofit dance company J Chen Project, joined our small.talk to make the case that artists are small business owners too, and that when creative work thrives, the surrounding community thrives with it.
How Small Business Owners Are Actually Using AI to Market Smarter Aishah Coleman, an architecture and interior design business owner, taught an audience through the tools and habits that have reshaped how she runs her marketing — no technical background required.
Indonesia’s Cosmetics Exports Rise 13.7% as Government Ramps Up SME Support and Tightens Regulatory Oversight Indonesia’s cosmetics exports reached $473.8 million in 2025, a 13.7% increase from $416.8 million the previous year , as the country’s Ministry of Industry moves to strengthen support for the small businesses that dominate the sector and help them compete in international markets, according to Personal Care Insights.