From Status Quo to Growth: Will Melton on AI, Entrepreneurship, and Building What Richmond Needs

Will didn't set out to become Richmond's leading voice on artificial intelligence. A chance encounter during a Chamber RVA trip to DC, a conversation with Senator Mark Warner fresh off a meeting with Sam Altman, and a community ready for a catalyst moment changed everything. Will shares the origin story of AI Ready RVA and why he believes Richmond is at a turning point.From raking leaves as a kid in a cash-strapped household to buying into a business at age 20, Will has always been wired to build. He opens up about the tension between founding and operating, why great teams matter more than great founders, and what it actually takes to move a status quo business into a growth business.Will's honest take on AI adoption, learning by doing, and finding a buddy to grow alongside makes this a practical, grounding episode for any leader navigating change right now.Resources & LinksExponent 21: exponent21.comAI Ready RVA: [aireadyrva.com]Will on LinkedIn: [linkedin.com/in/willharris]Leadership Metro Richmond: [leadershipmetrorichmond.org]Episode Timestamps00:21 - How Will became Richmond's AI voice01:30 - The Chamber RVA DC trip that started it all02:45 - Why Richmond's poverty rate fueled Will's mission04:00 - AI Ready RVA: what it is and how it runs04:41 - How other cities and regions are funding AI hubs07:35 - Will's entrepreneurial roots and a cash-strapped childhood09:10 - Why he has always preferred starting over managing11:20 - Founders who stay too long and the status quo trap12:21 - Why great teams are the real answer for founders14:27 - The Tim Ferriss myth and appreciating operational discipline17:51 - What Will would tell his 20-year-old self19:54 - Why fear of the unknown only shrinks by doing21:38 - How the brain shortchanges us from starting23:34 - Will's one piece of advice for the AI-skeptical: find a buddy25:36 - On giving yourself permission to quit and try something new