AI Apprentice Onboarding Checklist

Dennis Yu on November 5, 2025

Welcome to the AI Apprentice program, where you’ll learn how to build, automate, and execute real marketing systems using AI the right way.

This checklist is what our Operations team follows every time we onboard a new apprentice.

It ensures each person has access to all the tools, training, and communities they need to succeed from day one.

Step 1: Create the Basecamp Project

Create a new Basecamp project for the apprentice.

Use the naming format:
HRI’s AI Apprentice – [Full Name]

Add:

  • The apprentice.
  • Program manager / mentor.
  • Operations team member for oversight.

Post the welcome article inside Basecamp:
Welcome to the AI Apprentice Program

Note: Steps 1 and 4 above are now automated through our Zapier integration. When a new apprentice purchases the program through Stripe, their Basecamp project is created automatically, the team is added, and the Keap welcome email sequence fires — with no manual steps required. Read How to Automate AI Apprentice Program Onboarding Using Stripe, Zapier, Keap, and Basecamp for the full technical setup guide.

Step 2: Invite to Private Facebook Group

Invite the apprentice to our private community:
Office Hours with Dennis Yu Facebook Group

Encourage them to introduce themselves with a short video or post.

Step 3: Share Live Office Hours Info

Give the apprentice the recurring link to our weekly Office Hours:

  • Every Thursday at 2 PM PST.
  • Format: Live Q&A, real-time audits, and apprentice showcases.

Remind them to come prepared with a progress update.

Step 4: Grant Academy Access

Provide login credentials to the Academy, which includes over 150+ paid courses they get free access to.

Confirm they can log in and navigate the dashboard.

Step 5: Share Level 1 VA Guide

Send the Level 1 VA Guide, which covers:

  • Our Content Factory process.
  • Task structure and documentation standards.
  • How to report daily updates and submit completed work.

Confirm they review it within their first 48 hours.

Step 6: Introduce MAA (Metrics > Analysis > Action)

Each apprentice must complete a weekly MAA every Friday to build real data analysis habits.

Share both reference articles:

Remind them:

Every Friday = MAA time.
Review data, analyze what it means, and suggest next actions.

Step 7: Encourage YouTube Learning

Share Dennis Yu’s YouTube Channel:
Dennis Yu on YouTube

Assign them to watch 3–5 recent videos.

Step 8: Confirm Completion

When all steps are done:

  • Tick each item in the internal tracking sheet.
  • Post a “✅ Onboarding Complete” message in Basecamp.
  • Tag the apprentice.

Done! They’re Officially Onboarded

Once the checklist is completed, the apprentice is now ready to start contributing to real projects, attend Office Hours, and advance through our levels of mastery.

Interested in the AI Apprentice Program? Learn more about High Rise Academy — hands-on AI marketing training with real clients and real results.

Learn more about the Content Factory framework — the 6-stage system behind everything we do at High Rise Influence.

Behind the Scenes with Jack Wendt in Las Vegas: Eataly Eats, Paradox Museum & Comedy Nights

Dennis Yu on November 1, 2025

What do you get when you combine a day of grind with a Vegas food crawl? A behind-the-scenes look at how Jack Wendt and I turn a trip into content gold. We started at Eataly on the Strip for authentic Italian bites before diving into the mind-bending optical tricks at the Paradox Museum. Between the attractions we were talking shop about building brands and training our young agency apprentices – because when you love what you do, the line between work and play blurs.

From there, we hopped to a couple of comedy clubs to soak in some laughs and share stories from the trenches. And because no Vegas day is complete without overindulgence, we wrapped up with an all-you-can-eat sushi feast that tested our appetite and our ability to keep a straight face on camera.

Check out the full video above for the unfiltered, whirlwind day in Vegas — then head over to Jack Wendt for more of his adventures. For my insights on marketing, building agencies and making the phone ring for local businesses, visit Dennis Yu. Let us know your favorite Las Vegas spots in the comments — maybe we’ll feature them next time.

Train a Young Adult to Be a AI Apprentice Marketing Expert | Franchise Partner Program

Jack Wendt Jack Wendt on November 1, 2025

Unlock the full potential of your franchise’s marketing by training a young adult—your son, daughter or a team member—to become a dedicated digital marketing and AI-powered social media expert. In this video, Dennis Yu and Jack Wendt explain how a one-year program equips them with the tools and strategies to manage the Content Factory process for your local service business.

This program includes:

  • Weekly Office Hours and coaching
  • Full access to all training materials
  • Hands-on support with analytics, ads, and websites
  • A community of peers and mentors

The curriculum is built on proven methods used by major brands like Red Bull and Nike and thousands of local service businesses. Think of it as trade school for digital marketing—tailored specifically for your franchise.

If you’re ready to give a young adult the opportunity to grow into your business’s marketing champion, watch the video and learn how to enroll them today.

Learn more about the AI Apprentice Program.

Interested in the AI Apprentice Program? Learn more about High Rise Academy — hands-on AI marketing training with real clients and real results.

Learn more about the Content Factory framework — the 6-stage system behind everything we do at High Rise Influence.

Want to see what franchise-level marketing looks like? Check out how we help Pure Green franchise owners become local celebrity brands using the same AI-powered content systems we teach in the program.

For Young Adults Wanting to Fix the Digital Marketing for Their Parents Businesses | Jack and Dennis

Dennis Yu on November 1, 2025

In this video, Jack and Dennis discuss how young adults can help fix the digital marketing for their parents’ businesses. They share practical insights into advertising, content creation, and SEO fundamentals.

If you’re a young adult looking to build real marketing skills and serve local businesses, check out the High Rise Academy program to get hands-on training and mentorship.

Interested in the AI Apprentice Program? Learn more about High Rise Academy — hands-on AI marketing training with real clients and real results.

Claiming Your Google Knowledge Panel & Scaling Your Agency: Dennis Yu x Jack Wendt at DigiMarCon NYC

Jack Wendt Jack Wendt on November 1, 2025

If you’re tired of vague “consulting” promises and want a repeatable blueprint for building a service agency that actually scales, this candid conversation is for you.

Dennis Yu and Jack Wendt pull no punches as they share how High‑Rise Influence helps 7‑ and 8‑figure founders earn a Google Knowledge Panel — the digital stamp of legitimacy most gurus can’t deliver. They reveal why clarity and proof matter more than hype, why you must draw a line on who you serve, and how to create an operations playbook that lets you hire and train without reinventing the wheel each time.

Highlights include:

  • Why “customizable” beats “custom” — and how to productize services without becoming a cookie cutter.
  • The hard truth about clients who think they’re the exception: you can’t make a beef Wellington out of baloney.
  • Real numbers: thousands of AI bots (from Claude, ChatGPT, and others) hitting their content, turning free education into actual leads.
  • How to leverage AI, social snippets and small ad spends to attract the right people — and repel the wrong ones.
  • Lessons from plumbing and HVAC agencies: focus on one niche, own your proof, and watch referrals snowball.

If you’re ready to stop selling air and start delivering results that even Google recognizes, hit play. Then let us know in the comments: what’s the one thing holding your agency back from scaling?

Meet the Coaches Behind High Rise Academy

Grant Haugen Grant Haugen on October 31, 2025

Meet the Coaches

High Rise Academy is led by three practitioners who train students on real business projects using documented processes and live feedback.

Jack Wendt — Founder & CEO, High Rise Influence

Jack started young — at 12–13 he was buying and reselling watches, learning how to negotiate, reinvest profits, and build relationships. That early hustle turned into a passion for entrepreneurship and mentorship. He built High Rise Academy so motivated teens don’t have to guess their way forward or build businesses alone.

“When I was 13, I had to figure it out myself. Now we can give young people a system — and help real businesses along the way.” —Jack Wendt

How Jack mentors

  • Assigns live business tasks: editing vertical videos, writing platform-native captions, basic ad setups.
  • Shows students how to publish once, then distribute across channels without duplicating work, following our cross-posting guide.
  • Models client communication and simple reporting (before/after assets, notes, and next actions).
  • Helps students channel their entrepreneurial energy into real businesses — generating calls, creating content, and directly contributing to client revenue.

Dennis Yu — Former Search Engine Engineer & Co-Creator of the Content Factory

Dennis designs the systems our teams use to execute reliably at scale — checklists, SOPs, and feedback loops rooted in the Content Factory framework. Students don’t watch theory; they ship assets and get reviewed. He also emphasizes E-E-A-T — real people, real places, real work — to make content credible and reusable.

“There’s no age too early to start building a brand or learning how to learn.” —Dennis Yu

How Dennis coaches

  • Weekly reviews with concrete acceptance criteria (naming, thumbnails, captions, repost rules).
  • Layering proof — names, locations, client artifacts — to establish trust via E-E-A-T.
  • Avoiding common VA pitfalls by tying every task to a clear goal, content asset, and target.
  • Works with students from age 17 to 60, proving that the Academy’s structure supports all levels of experience — from teenagers just starting out to adults seeking to sharpen their skills.

Dylan Haugen — Professional Dunker & Creator

Dylan is a professional dunker who performs in contests and live shows while documenting his journey online. His creative background gives him a unique perspective on content and storytelling. After connecting with Dennis and Jack in late December, he discovered how to use the Academy’s structure to transform his passion into professional growth.

“After joining the program, I learned more in a few weeks than I had in years on my own.” —Dylan Haugen

How Dylan teaches

  • Short-form storytelling on real client pages (clear hook, proof, next step).
  • Batch capture and workflow hygiene (shot lists, b-roll banks, caption templates).
  • Practical feedback on pacing, framing, and retention.
  • Works with business owners — from local gyms to personal brands — showing them how consistent storytelling drives measurable results online.

What You’ll See in Practice

  • Live weekly coaching with screen-share reviews and action items.
  • Documented SOPs with examples for each step.
  • Real distribution on business accounts, followed by sensible republishing.
  • Proof built in — faces, places, and outcomes attached to the work.
  • Range of participants from teens to age 60; quality is driven by checklists, not age.
  • Students are paid as they demonstrate competency on production tasks.

Why High Rise Academy Matters

Students learn marketing by doing: edit videos, post on business accounts, and follow checklists until their work meets spec. Parents see consistent habits and professional communication develop over time. Business owners get useful assets instead of vague ideas.

For parents who want to see their teens develop real-world skills, build meaningful relationships, and gain confidence through hands-on experience, High Rise Academy provides a clear path — while also contributing real work for the businesses they support.

If you’d like to learn from mentors like Dennis, Jack, and Dylan, or know a young adult who would thrive in this environment, explore how to get involved with High Rise Academy. It’s a place where curiosity turns into capability, and learning turns into real results.

Learn more about the Content Factory framework — the 6-stage system behind everything we do at High Rise Influence.

Welcome to the AI Apprentice Program

Dennis Yu on October 28, 2025

Congrats, you’ve joined the program.

Now that you’re officially inside, here’s the exact roadmap so you don’t feel lost staring at 140+ courses, 27 tools, and a pile of skills you think you “don’t have yet.” Let’s cut through the noise.

Join the Office Hours Facebook group

By now, you should have an email inviting you to our Office Hours Facebook Group.
If it didn’t arrive, give it a few minutes; it’s on the way.

This group is where everything happens:

  • Weekly Office Hours: Thursdays at 2 PM PST / 5 PM EST.
    We record all sessions, so if you miss one, no meltdown necessary.
  • Ask your questions here (not in the big public group).

We use Facebook because local service business owners live on Facebook.
If you want clients, you should too.

Join all required platforms

To get fully connected, knock these out immediately:

— Accept your Basecamp invite. Projects, training, assignments, and your Weekly MAA reports live here.

— Join the private Office Hours Facebook group. This is your real support channel.

— Subscribe to the Dennis Yu YouTube channel.
Every Thursday at 11 AM EST, I drop the Marketing Mechanic episode.

Welcome to the AI Apprentice Program

Submit your weekly MAA report

Every Friday, by 5 PM Eastern, you’ll submit your MAA report in Basecamp.

It takes 5 minutes.
And here’s the raw truth:

People who submit consistently in the first 3–4 weeks succeed.
People who don’t, never do.

Even if you were sick, traveling, busy, or didn’t get access to a client account, you can always report something:

  • Ran a Local Falcon scan.
  • Watched a training.
  • Improved your LinkedIn.
  • Posted a video.
  • Learned one new skill.
  • Implemented a tool.

Two minutes of effort is enough.
It’s about building the habit.

Connect with other apprentices

This isn’t a solo sport.

Inside the Office Hours group, you’ll find people:

  • In your same city.
  • Working in the same niche (roofing, HVAC, dental, etc.).
  • Developing the same skills you want.
  • At the same stage of learning.

Reach out. Build relationships.
Many of our best agencies started from connections made here.

Use the tools & training we give you

You get access to tools that the public doesn’t:

  • Link Whisper (premium).
  • RankMath Pro.
  • WordPress resources.
  • Internal SOPs.
  • Meeting templates.
  • Project management training.
  • Agency operations training.

When we teach something publicly, you get the implementation version.
That’s a massive advantage; use it.

Manage email like a professional

If you’re a young adult, you probably live on your phone.
Nothing wrong with that, but handle client email on a laptop, not your thumbs.

Install Boomerang for Gmail (free is fine).
It helps you:

  • Track follow-ups.
  • Handle scheduling.
  • Keep your inbox from becoming a crime scene.

Email is where real business happens.
You need to treat it seriously.

Master meeting basics

We have training on:

  • What to do before a meeting.
  • What to do during a meeting.
  • What to do after a meeting.

Including:

  • Always send an agenda upstream.
  • Always record Zoom meetings.
  • Always share action items after.
  • Always update Basecamp with who’s doing what.

If you do this well for your parents’ business or first client, you will get more.
And when you’re reliably executing, we’ll promote you and send an opportunity your way.
(Not because you bought the program, but because you earned it.)

Where not to ask for help

There’s a giant free Facebook group called Digital Marketing with Dennis Yu (44k+ members).

That’s not your support channel.

Your help and team support are inside Office Hours, the private group.

Stay there.

If you’re ever truly stuck

  1. Message Stephanie (stephanie@blitzmetrics.com).
  2. If it’s something only I can solve (rare), you can email me.
  3. You can text me too. Just make sure it’s worth waking me up over.

Your first real assignment: Make a 1-minute video

Record a simple cell-phone introduction and post it in the Office Hours group.

No scripts.
No fancy camera.
No “I need to get ready first.”

Just you, talking for 60 seconds:

  • Who you are.
  • Where you’re from.
  • What you’re working on.
  • What you want to learn.

If we were sitting around a dinner table at a mastermind, you’d introduce yourself.
This is the same thing.

Do it now. Don’t overthink it.

From Apprentice to Entrepreneur: Colby Joseph Davis’s Journey from the Trades to a Multi-Brand Empire

Dennis Yu on October 21, 2025

Colby Joseph Davis’ journey in the trades began when he was still a teenager. Working alongside his father in the plumbing business and later in pool renovation, roofing and painting, he learned the value of craftsmanship, customer service and honesty early on. Those hands‑on experiences across multiple trades would shape his entrepreneurial vision.

In 2013 he founded Davis Painting, and under his leadership the company has become one of Pennsylvania and New Jersey’s fastest‑growing residential and commercial painting firms. Davis Painting is known for its spotless trucks, coordinated uniforms and meticulous job‑site preparation—details Colby insists on because, as he says, “People notice the little things”. By hiring for character as much as skill and instilling pride in every team member, he’s built a brand that stands for excellence in every brushstroke.

Seeing a fragmented home‑services industry ripe for consolidation, Colby launched Indy Capital and its operating arm, Indy Brands. Through Indy Brands, his team acquires, scales and sells top‑performing home‑service companies—including Davis Painting, SUDS Power Washing, Light Your Night and Honest Roofing. He admits he never expected to start his own private‑equity firm, but after spotting a need for honesty, integrity and high‑quality service in the sector he knew it was time.

From apprentice to entrepreneur, Colby Joseph Davis shows what’s possible when vision, craftsmanship and care for people come together.

If you’d like to learn more about Colby Joseph Davis’s approach to leadership, check out our post on his leadership philosophy here: https://dennisyu.com/earning-respect-the-leadership-philosophy-of-colby-joseph-davis/

For more on how he built his painting empire, read this article: https://jackwendt.com/from-paintbrush-to-portfolio-how-colby-joseph-davis-built-a-multi-state-painting-empire-and-beyond/

Discover the launch of Indy Capital and Indy Brands in our previous post: https://highriseinfluence.net/launching-indy-capital-a-new-chapter-for-home-services/

Interested in the AI Apprentice Program? Learn more about High Rise Academy — hands-on AI marketing training with real clients and real results.

Launching Indy Capital: A New Chapter for Home Services

Dennis Yu on October 21, 2025

In 2024, Colby Joseph Davis formally launched Indy Capital, turning his vision for a consolidated home‑services powerhouse into reality. Indy Capital isn’t just another private‑equity firm; it is structured as a public markets investment and real‑estate holding company with a home‑services division, Indy Brands. The goal is to build, acquire and sell best‑in‑class home‑service companies under one roof.

What sets Indy Capital apart is its focus on marketing and operational excellence. Its growth will be fueled by Marketing Now, the in‑house marketing agency led by CMO Brandon Roman Cruz, who brings 15 years of digital media experience to the table. This central marketing engine ensures each portfolio brand—whether painting, power washing or roofing—gains maximum exposure and lead flow.

Davis’s passion for home services was ignited at a young age working with his father, and he has carried that appreciation for tradespeople into Indy Capital’s mission. “I never thought I would launch my own PE firm with the main focus on home services,” he recently remarked, “but after seeing the void in the space and the need for honesty, integrity and high‑quality companies, I knew it was time to do this.” By establishing clear core values and investing heavily in training and career growth, Indy Capital aims to set a new standard in an industry often associated with high turnover.

Key takeaways for home‑service entrepreneurs:

  • Think beyond a single trade. Davis used his success in painting to branch into power washing, lighting and roofing, proving that complementary services can strengthen a brand portfolio.
  • Invest in marketing. Indy Capital’s in‑house marketing agency allows each subsidiary to tap into sophisticated lead‑generation strategies normally reserved for much larger companies.
  • Put people first. Whether at Davis Painting or within Indy Brands, Davis focuses on building long‑term careers. This not only reduces turnover but also fosters loyalty and expertise across the portfolio.

Want a complete local marketing strategy? Read our local service marketing strategy guide to see how we help contractors and local businesses dominate their market.

High Rise Influence University Program: Detailed Guide

Dennis Yu on October 5, 2025

This expanded guide builds on our overview of the High Rise Influences AI Apprenticeship Program, or High Rise Academy, giving you deeper insight into how we help apprentices turn passion into a professional career. From paid client work to mentorship and advanced certifications, here’s what sets our program apart.

Hands-On Paid Work & Real Client Experience

Our apprentices don’t just study theory – they learn by doing. After completing the foundational courses, apprentices can qualify to become part of the Digital Marketing Training System. Entry-level specialists start at $10 per hour, with tiered raises of $5 per hour as they earn certifications. This paid work isn’t busywork; apprentices produce deliverables for real clients, gaining the experience and case studies needed to build personal brands and portfolios.

Mentorship & Career Guidance

Mentorship is at the core of our program. Dennis Yu credits his own success to mentors and encourages apprentices to follow the same path. We teach a simple four-step approach: follow the mentor’s content, show you’ve done your homework, demonstrate gratitude, and offer small favors in return. Our faculty members and industry professionals guide apprentices through project reviews and career planning, helping them make the leap from apprentice to marketing professional.

Entrepreneurial Skills & Building Agencies

Many of our apprentices aim to start their own agencies. That’s why our curriculum covers practical advice on scaling, managing freelancers, and working with big clients. We emphasize balancing learning with networking and execution to avoid common startup pitfalls. Whether you want to launch your own agency or become a high-impact marketer in a larger organization, this program equips you with entrepreneurial skills.

Faculty & Administrator Options

We offer a range of options for universities and organizations interested in collaborating. These include one-hour live webinars on topics like Facebook Ads for $1 a day, project management, personal branding, content marketing, and measuring social media ROI. Qualifying apprentices can join the specialist program to earn while they learn, advancing based on performance. For colleges and student groups, Dennis Yu waives his standard speaking fee for on-campus workshops and keynotes, sharing his experiences from Yahoo! and his predictions for the future of digital marketing.

Partnerships & Schools

The High-Rise Influence University Program collaborates with a growing list of educational institutions. Partners have included the University of Louisville, UC San Diego, BYU, Hofstra University, Ridgewater College, Syracuse University, the University of Connecticut, the University of San Diego, LDS Business College, and Baruch College. These partnerships help integrate our curriculum into degree programs and create employment pipelines for apprentices.

Real-World Systems & Processes

We use checklists and processes similar to those found in aviation and surgery to ensure repeatable excellence. Frameworks like the Topic Wheel and 3×3 Goals help apprentices structure their personal brands and content strategies. Our specialist and virtual assistant collaboration model ensures that tasks such as video editing, ad management, and micro-targeting are handled efficiently.

Scale & Ongoing Growth

The program offers access to over 44 professional courses, with more added every month. This ensures apprentices can continue advancing their skills long after they complete the core curriculum. As the program grows, we measure social media ROI and define the impact of likes, comments, shares, and reviews to set the standard for social measurement.

Conclusion & Next Steps

The High-Rise Influence University Program doesn’t just teach marketing; it creates employable, experienced marketers with personal brands and real client results. Whether you’re an aspiring marketer, a university partner, or a business seeking certified talent, we invite you to explore the program and discover how it can accelerate your goals.

Interested in joining? Read our main overview of the High-Rise Influence University Program here: https://highriseinfluence.net/high-rise-influence-university-program/. Or contact us to learn more about partner packages and opportunities.

If you are a professor or administrator interested in bringing this program to your campus, visit our University Partnership Program page for details on guest lectures, case studies, and collaborative projects.