The AI Advantage

Business Owner and Adjunct Faculty Paige Battcher Harnesses Emerging Tech as Entrepreneur

The power of AI isn’t just a talking point for Paige Battcher—it’s a game-changer. As the founder of Kismet Ideas and an adjunct professor at the University of Louisville College of Business (CoB), she’s on a mission to help entrepreneurs harness technology to build smarter, more efficient businesses. From digital storytelling to automation, she’s redefining what it means to work, create and lead in the AI-driven era. We had an opportunity to connect with Battcher and learn not only how she turned her love of finance, storytelling and technology into a thriving career, but how she’s teaching the next generation of entrepreneurs to stay ahead of the curve.

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College of Business: Could you share more about your background with our readers?

Paige Battcher: I’m Paige Battcher, founder of Kismet Ideas, and adjunct professor at UofL. I’m obsessed (in the best way) about helping business owners leverage AI, automation and video to build businesses that generate predictable income. My journey includes studying finance here at UofL, then pursuing graduate degrees in urban planning and digital journalism, with a bunch of travel in between (17 countries and counting). All of this has uniquely shaped my approach to business—combining strategic thinking, storytelling and technology to help others create their own destiny.

College of Business: What led you to pursue your undergraduate degree at UofL, and why did you decide to earn a degree in business with a focus on finance?

Paige Battcher: When I was younger, I was convinced I’d become an architect—I loved design, creativity and imagining things from scratch. When I arrived at UofL, I realized that studying finance was the blueprint I needed for my true goal: becoming my own boss. Finance felt like the best foundation for building the kind of life and career I really wanted—one where I could create, innovate and call the shots. Funny enough, today I actually think of myself as a digital architect, designing automated systems and helping entrepreneurs build their businesses piece by piece.

College of Business: Which faculty impacted you most during your time at UofL and why?

Paige Battcher: There were so many professors I loved at UofL, but Christy Burge truly stands out. She had this incredible ability to break down complex accounting material into practical, real-life terms. You know how some classes feel purely theoretical? Hers never did. In fact, I still use what she taught me every day in running my business. That Accounting 201 honors course was no joke—six credit hours of pure intensity.

College of Business: What led you to launch your company, Kismet Ideas?

Paige Battcher: I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur, but like a lot of young Americans, I graduated from grad school with a mountain of student loan debt—and no clear plan for how I’d pay it off quickly. So, I initially went the traditional nine-to-five route. Through a series of circumstances that were somewhat beyond my control, I found myself unexpectedly in between jobs, trying to figure out my next move. That became my nudge—my moment to jump off the cliff and fully commit to self-employment. Looking back, I’m so glad that happened, even though it felt scary at the time. I’ve learned that life’s greatest breakthroughs often come out of our lowest valleys. Ultimately, the same thing that pushed me to launch Kismet Ideas is exactly what drives me today: the desire to design my own destiny. I’m incredibly grateful that now, not only do I get to shape my own future, but I also help other businesses and entrepreneurs do the exact same thing.

College of Business: In what ways has your education in business and finance most benefited you as a business owner?

Paige Battcher: In so many ways! My business and finance education has been foundational—everything from understanding profit and loss to mastering cash flow management. Being a business owner means making countless financial decisions every day, and having the confidence to navigate budgets, investments and strategic growth is critical.

College of Business: What are some of the most significant challenges you have worked to overcome as a business owner?

Paige Battcher: The biggest challenge I’ve faced as a business owner over the years has definitely been burnout. Like many entrepreneurs, I’m naturally driven and passionate about what I do, and early on, I struggled with setting boundaries and finding a healthy balance. I learned the hard way that passion can quickly lead to exhaustion if it’s not managed carefully. Ultimately, this taught me the importance of leveraging technology, automation and systems—exactly what I help my clients do today—so that business owners can protect their energy, sustain their passion and build something that’s not just successful, but also enjoyable and balanced.

College of Business: How did your professional interests evolve regarding artificial intelligence?

Paige Battcher: AI is as disruptive, if not even more disruptive, than the internet itself—and that’s exactly why it fascinates me. My interest really stems from the realization that AI isn’t just another technology [but is] becoming woven into the fabric of everyday life, changing the way we live, work and connect. I didn’t want to sit on the sidelines—I wanted to be where the action is, riding this incredible wave of innovation. That curiosity and drive have led me to dive deeply into AI, learning how it can empower businesses, enhance creativity and reshape industries.

College of Business: As a business owner, how are you are using AI?

Paige Battcher: I’m using AI in all ways that I can, and I’m keeping an eye on upcoming technology that’s being released. I would say it’s everything from writing to image generation, image editing, video, video editing and everything in between. Plus, I’m learning more about AI agents that will do things for you in a systematic way, such as posting social media, generating content on the fly, writing SEO-driven blog posts, you name it. Really, I think we’re at the tip of the iceberg right now, so to speak, in terms of what is truly possible over the coming years.

College of Business: What led you to take on an adjunct professor role in the College of Business, teaching the course “AI in the Marketplace” to UofL students?

Paige Battcher: My personal mission has always revolved around mindset and technology empowerment, and there’s nothing more empowering right now than understanding and mastering AI—it’s the technology that will shape the future for decades. Taking on the adjunct professor role teaching ‘AI in the Marketplace’ at UofL felt like the perfect way to fulfill this mission. Most of my clients are in their 40s, 50s and 60s, so this teaching role offered me a meaningful way to give back, inspire and empower the next generation—something I’m truly excited about.

College of Business: What excites you most about your role as an adjunct professor, and how are you creating a real-world, authentic learning experience for students in AI?

Paige Battcher: I’ve always had a special appreciation for adjunct professors. Even back in graduate school, adjuncts resonated with me the most because they brought real-world experience directly into the classroom—they weren’t just teaching theories, they were actively applying them. That’s exactly what excites me about my adjunct role at UofL: I get to share practical, hands-on AI projects that I’m currently working on with real clients. My students aren’t just learning concepts—they’re seeing firsthand how AI is used to solve actual business challenges out there in the marketplace.

College of Business: What advice would you give students considering earning a business degree at UofL?

Paige Battcher: I think there are many roads in life and different paths that can take you places, but for me, a business degree has been such a solid foundation to venture on to new avenues. If you’re considering earning a business degree, it’s a great choice. I think courses in finance and marketing make you an incredibly valuable person on the planet when it comes to technology and what businesses are needing these days, and I think that getting a business degree allows you some level of flexibility to take electives outside of your major and get a well-rounded education.

College of Business: Aside from taking your course, what advice would you give prospective and current students looking to learn and apply AI tools so they can gain a competitive edge in the business world upon graduation?

Paige Battcher: My biggest piece of advice? Dive right in. Get the free trial, sign up for the newest AI tools, start clicking around and see what you can create. Don’t just wait until graduation—start now, especially if you’re looking for a job or aiming to land your first clients as an entrepreneur. Use these AI tools to build real assets and examples of your work. Create something impressive for free and then put it directly in front of the businesses you’re interested in working for. With AI, this takes surprisingly little time—but it could be the thing that lands you your next job, your first client or even launches your own business.

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About the UofL College of Business:

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