Kathy Durfee is the Founder and CEO of TechHouse, a technology consulting firm that helps small and mid-sized businesses digitize, automate, and secure their operations. With a background that spans chemistry, poetry, and programming, Kathy built TechHouse after leaving her corporate job to care for her child, transforming necessity into innovation. Today, her company supports more than 300 clients nationwide, helping them streamline processes, implement automation, and strengthen data security through systems that empower both people and performance.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [01:12] How Kathy transitioned from chemistry and poetry to founding TechHouse
- [03:20] The challenges and motivations behind her first decade in business
- [05:10] The pivotal moment that kept her from closing TechHouse
- [07:25] What Kathy loves most about being a business owner
- [08:35] How TechHouse supports small and mid-market businesses
- [10:22] Kathy’s diagnostic blueprint for identifying process gaps
- [12:14] How automation and AI enhance visibility and efficiency
- [14:10] Real examples of process improvement through technology
- [18:16] How AI can capture and scale expert knowledge
- [19:50] Why small businesses are poised to thrive in the AI era
- [21:00] Kathy’s optimistic outlook on the future of work
In this episode:
In this episode of Systems Simplified, host Adi Klevit interviews Kathy Durfee, Founder and CEO of TechHouse, about building a purpose-driven technology company grounded in systems and human connection. Kathy shares her unconventional journey from studying organic chemistry to becoming a leader in tech consulting, explaining how necessity, adaptability, and a mission to help others shaped her entrepreneurial path.
Kathy discusses how TechHouse helps small and mid-sized businesses grow by combining process optimization with practical technology. She introduces the company’s diagnostic blueprint, a structured approach that identifies root causes before implementing change. Through examples, she illustrates how automation, process mapping, and data visibility can help teams reduce friction, make smarter decisions, and scale sustainably.
She also highlights how artificial intelligence is transforming small business operations. Rather than replacing people, Kathy shows how AI can amplify human expertise, enabling entry-level employees to learn faster and contribute more effectively. Her examples demonstrate how automating data collection, centralizing information, and applying AI to replicate expert knowledge can free teams to focus on innovation.
Finally, Kathy reflects on the future of work and why small businesses are best positioned to thrive in the AI era. She emphasizes that well-documented systems and transparent processes build confidence, foster agility, and create opportunities for talented individuals seeking meaningful work in more flexible, people-centered organizations.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Quotable Moments:
- “Sometimes entrepreneurship starts not with a business plan but with a moment of necessity.”
- “Processes don’t have to be perfect—they have to be healthy and help you meet your goals.”
- “AI won’t eliminate opportunity, it will redistribute it to smaller, more agile businesses.”
- “When technology is used right, it amplifies human expertise instead of replacing it.”
- “Automation helps small businesses scale without losing their human touch.”
- “Systems create clarity, and clarity gives you freedom to innovate.”
Action Steps:
- Diagnose the root causes of your operational challenges before implementing fixes.
- Document and digitize your processes to reduce friction and improve consistency.
- Use AI and automation to increase visibility, streamline workflows, and scale knowledge.
- Focus on cybersecurity as your business grows and digitizes.
- Empower your team by pairing human expertise with smart technology tools.
Sponsor for this episode:
This episode is brought to you by Business Success Consulting Group.
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