Paul L. Wilson

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About

About Me - Why should you even care?

There is a common misconception about an “About” page. It’s the belief that the page should be about, well, the person or company who owns the web page. Actually, the About page should be about the visitor coming to the page — YOU.

When creating my About page, I asked why you came to this obscure corner of the Internet. Out of the hundreds of millions of websites you could visit, why this site? This line of reasoning made me ponder deeper about your motives. So, I jot down some possible questions that I want answers to. Questions, such as:

  • What do you want to know about me?
  • Why are you even interested in knowing something about me?
  • Did you stumble upon this page while trying to avoid doing actual work?
  • Are you looking to hire me for my digital marketing capabilities?
  • Is it my fluent geek that sparked your interest, or my academic research (which I guess is the same thing)?
I may never know the answers to these questions, and I’m pretty sure there are other reasons why you’re here. However, it was this line of questioning that helped me classify you into three possible user personas who might want to know more about me: 
 
  1. My university students studying entrepreneurship
  2. People who need help with digital marketing
  3. Those who are interested in my research efforts
Each group has different needs, so if you belong in one of these categories, I’ll try my best to give you what you’re looking for.

Persona #1: Erin The  Entrepreneurship Student

Hello, Erin. If you’re here, you likely want to understand my background and how it can benefit you. However, more than likely, the burning question on your mind is what kind of teacher I am.

The best way to satisfy your insatiable curiosity is by sharing my teaching philosophy with you. This mindset is something I’ve developed over the last 11 years I’ve been a professor, and it deeply reflects my core beliefs. As you understand it, you will gain insight into what I value in your learning experience.
 
MY TEACHING PHILOSOPHY 

Everyone is a learner and a teacher.

  • We teach by inspiring, and by inspiring, we build trust, curiosity, and growth.
  • We learn by doing, and by doing, we build confidence, ownership, and mastery.

Together, these prepare students to become entrepreneurs who can create value for themselves and others, giving them the ability to build lives filled with purpose and financial opportunity.

All my courses are centered on the fundamental belief of empowering you as a learner and as a teacher.

If the only thing you take away from my courses is a grade, then I have failed you. The true value of an education lies in its ability to transform your knowledge into purposeful actions and meaningful outcomes.

If you’re interested in whether I’m qualified to teach entrepreneurship, here’s a snapshot: in addition to my academic qualifications, I bring 25 years of experience as a digital entrepreneur.

I am currently a partner in an AI marketing and consulting company that helps businesses improve digital visibility by focusing on Entity SEO, GEO, and AEO. With a strong background in web development, mobile apps, and AI, I design my courses to have a digital-first perspective. I am convinced that digital mastery can greatly improve the success of beginner entrepreneurs.

I have earned millions, and I have lost millions of dollars doing business. Through it all, I’ve gained a healthy respect and profound insights into the journey of the entrepreneur. 

If you take any of my courses, you’ll quickly notice a few phrases I repeat throughout the semester. Two of my favorites are, 

“Together, we possess greater knowledge than we do on our own.”

“Collect advice, don’t take advice.”

I am not the guru at the top of the mountain giving sage advice. Instead, I am learning with you, and together, we are climbing the never-ending mountain of learning. It is learning side-by-side that we develop the knowledge we could not gain if I just “taught” you.  

I hope this quick introduction provides sufficient information to help you decide if I’m the right teacher for you. If so, I’d love to have you in one of my classes. 

Here are a few other excellent business professors you should consider:

Persona #2: Corey the Client

Welcome, Corey! My assumption is that you’re looking for assistance on your company’s digital marketing strategy. I’m also assuming you’re wondering if you can entrust me with such an important undertaking.
 

The answer to that last assumption is no! In fact, I won’t let you hire me to do anything of that nature. What I can do for you is provide the necessary tools and strategies to empower you and your team to be self-sufficient in your digital marketing needs.

As with my university students, I don’t believe success comes from growing on your own. I work closely with my clients to provide a tailored plan of action and have them walk the pathway of executing the strategies we designed. I continue to be part of your digital marketing journey, though my role is more in the background, offering assistance as required.
 
What defines my strategy: I focus on simplicity and effectiveness. I prioritize quick wins, streamlined solutions, and efficient implementations for faster ROI.
 
Experience has shown me that elaborate strategies strain resources, requiring unbudgeted financial investments or specialized expertise. Often, the path of least resistance is the road less traveled, but it usually leads to the desired success.
 
If we agree on these principles, we’ll get along great.
 
Here are the areas my team and I specialize in:
  • AI-driven Marketing
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
  • Content Marketing
  • Email Marketing
  • Social Media Marketing
  • The User Experience (UX)
  • Application Development (we are not currently taking on development clients)
For further information, feel free to contact me.

Persona #3: Arnold the Academic Scholar

Greetings, Arnold. I truly appreciate your curiosity about my research efforts and your interest in how it complements my work with students and businesses.

While I find academic research intriguing, my primary focus remains on teaching, mentoring, and consulting. I chose to become a professor to dedicate as much time as possible to the classroom, and my research pursuits reflect that purpose.

My research explores three core themes: AI-driven marketing and consumer engagement, interactive and digital learning in business, and ethical AI implementation.

In the area of AI-driven marketing, I examine how businesses optimize their digital presence across markets through AI-driven consumer insights, clickstream metrics, and cultural adaptation strategies. I also investigate the effectiveness of AI in shaping consumer trust, particularly in areas such as automated recommendations and digital advertising.

I study interactive learning models that support entrepreneurial education using AI simulations, digital storytelling, and market validation exercises. I also explore how students use digital culture to develop marketing strategies to cultivate creativity and critical thinking. I believe education should help individuals develop critical thinking skills that benefit their personal and professional lives.

In regard to ethical and strategic AI implementation, my research addresses the ethical challenges of AI in business and education, particularly how algorithmic decision-making affects consumer behavior and trust. I also work on developing frameworks to integrate AI responsibly into marketing strategies, promoting transparency, fairness, and accountability.

Here are my published and under-review journal articles:

Here are my peer-reviewed conference presentations & proceedings:

  • Hansen, J., Drennan, T., Wilson, P., Ortiz-Berger, D., & Collins, S. (2024, November). Consumer motivations to interact with anthropomorphized AI virtual influencers [Conference presentation]. Society for Marketing Advances Conference. Tampa, FL.
  • Hansen, J., & Wilson, P. (2022, November). Using diffusion models and MDS to explain clickstream growth patterns. Manuscript submitted for presentation at Society for Marketing Advances Conference, Charlotte, NC. Winner of best paper in Marketing Analytics track.
  • Hansen, J., & Wilson, P. (2022, November). Leveraging the strengths of diffusion models and buyer intention surveys for new product sales estimation through Bayesian forecasting, Society for Marketing Advances Conference, Charlotte, NC
  • Wilson, P. & Hansen, J. (2019, November). The Impact of sharing temple stories and Images in the Pacific through social media. Mormon Pacific Historical Society Conference, Laie, HI.
  • Wilson, P., Russell, M., & Porras, G. (2019, August). Internet access & entrepreneurial confidence in the Republic of the Congo. The Academy of International Business Africa Chapter Annual Conference, Accra, Ghana.
  • Wilson, P., Russell, M., & Porras, G. J. (2019, September). Zero Budget Entrepreneurship. Academic Leaders Symposium Enactus World Cup, San Jose, CA
  • Kinghorn, B., & Wilson, P. (2017, May). Mitigating the distraction effects of handheld devices in the university classroom through incorporating their use into daily lesson plans. The Association for Psychological Science, Boston, MA.
  • Kinghorn, B., & Wilson, P. (2016, May). The effects of examining social media as an amplifier of prosocial and antisocial human behaviors in a university course. The Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL.

My research works to empower entrepreneurs and educators by providing practical knowledge that strengthens both professional and personal development. However, beyond professional impact, my work is driven by a desire to create research that my children and future generations will find meaningful and helpful.

Just About Me

While my passion for the digital business world is undeniable, it exists within a larger universe shaped by my faith and family. These core values give a wider meaning to my work, showing me there’s a whole world out there beyond the screen, full of experiences, challenges, and happiness.

The digital landscape, rich with endless possibilities and rapid advancements, can make it all too easy to lose sight of what’s truly important. By anchoring my life in God and the love of my family, I’ve discovered a sense of beauty and clarity.
 
Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has affirmed these beliefs and inspired me to incorporate my spiritual values into my professional life, so that integrity and compassion are reflected in all aspects of my life.
 
This divine grounding guides my professional choices and illuminates what matters most to me in life. It’s in this balance between my career and personal values that I find the greatest fulfillment, making sure my voyage through the digital world is always navigated by a deeper purpose and connection to those I hold dear.

Some Fun Facts 

  • I have had dinner with a prophet of God
  • I have lived in 8 different states
  • I have 9 amazing little kids (aka Munkas)
  • My lucky number is 289
  • I live in Hawaii, but I’m not a huge fan of the beach 
  • I could spend every possible moment with my wife (she’s that fun)
  • I enjoy playing board games and writing children’s books with my wife and Munkas
  • My favorite foods are tacos and sushi
  • If you’re a current student of mine and are reading this, you get extra credit :). Contact me to find out how much