Texas Just Changed SMS Rules and It’s Wild! — Here's what you need to know
If you're texting Texas residents, you may already be breaking the law — and the state’s not playing around.In this Special Ops mini-episode, Emma Rainville breaks down Texas’s new SMS marketing regulations hitting on September 1st, and what they mean for founders, media buyers, and ops teams. From curfews to compliance filings, this is not a law to take lightly — especially in a state with serious enforcement teeth. You’ll learn exactly what you must do to avoid five-figure fines (and yes, it starts with a $10K bond).Rainville outlines the new classification of SMS as telemarketing under Texas law (SB 140), the required Secretary of State registration, and strict curfew hours. If you're a direct response brand or own an e-commerce operation with Texas leads, this 4-minute update could save you a major compliance headache. Get ahead — not penalized.We cover:Why SMS is now considered telemarketing under Texas lawHow to register with the Secretary of State (+ what it costs)Required $10,000 surety bond breakdownWhen you’re legally barred from texting Texas phonesWhat happens if you don’t comply — and why curfews matterWhere to grab a done-for-you SOP for full complianceTimestamps(0:00) The new Texas SMS law: Who it applies to(0:45) Required registration + bond overview(1:20) Legal SMS curfew hours explained(2:05) Risks of noncompliance in Texas(3:00) Where to get the free SOP inside the Visionary Vault(4:15) Final warning: Texas isn’t messing around⚠️ Don’t get caught unprepared. Get your free “Texas SMS Compliance SOP” in the Visionary Vault to follow every step. Stay legal. Stay scalable.Explore Free Resources inside the Visionary Vault:https://specialopspodcast.com/visionary-vault Get in Touch with Emma Rainville: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru
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DraftKings Promo Lands $3M Fine (Could Yours Be Next?)
What if your next big promo landed you in court?This week, Emma Rainville and compliance attorney Ryan Poteet break down DraftKings’ $3 million marketing settlement—and the deceptive bonus offer that triggered it. From “risk-free bets” to 30-day guarantees, we unpack how one headline promo became a regulatory minefield and what marketers must do to avoid similar fallout.Whether you’re running affiliate banners, SaaS free trials, or limited-time bonuses, this episode is your tactical guide to staying compliant without killing conversions. We cover legal definitions of deception, why “clear and conspicuous” means more than fine print, and how affiliate behavior could make you liable—even if you didn’t approve the ad.We cover:The DraftKings settlement: deceptive by omission vs outright lieWhy “free” and “risk-free” are legal red flags (even with fine print)FTC rules on disclaimer proximity (and why footers won’t cut it)State AGs, class actions, and affiliate banners under scrutinyA tactical checklist for legally bulletproof bonus offersTimestamps:(0:00) DraftKings: what happened and why $3M was paid(1:27) “Risk-free” ≠ risk-free: why terms must match the claim(3:12) What counts as “clear and conspicuous” in ad copy(5:06) Affiliate networks, UI banners, and who’s responsible(7:14) Class actions vs AG enforcement: the bigger threat(9:29) Tactical checklist: fix your offer stack, disclaimers, and funnels(12:05) Final verdict: one promo, skipped truths, $3M goneDownload the playbook:Get our Bonus Marketing Compliance Template—tested language, visual placement cues, and funnel audit steps—in the Visionary Vault at www.specialopspodcast.com.Explore Free Resources at the Visionary Vault:https://specialopspodcast.com/visionary-vault Get in Touch with Ryan Poteet:Website: https://www.grsm.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-poteet-43098ba Get in Touch with Emma Rainville: Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru
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ChatGPT 5 Is Here! Here’s How I Trained It to Run My Business… and my Life!
“I trained ChatGPT 5 to think like me—and run my business.”In this episode of Special Ops, Emma Rainville pulls back the curtain on her real-life workflow with “Lester,” her custom-trained ChatGPT 5 assistant. From late-night discovery of the new release to hands-on testing of its upgraded features, Emma shows exactly how she’s using thinking mode, agent mode, and memory control to get faster, sharper, and more personalized results.You’ll hear the real differences between ChatGPT 4 and 5, how to decide when to turn memory on or off, and the tactical ways Emma uses projects vs custom GPTs to keep her business operations running without chaos. Plus, she reveals how she automates full email sequences, uses trigger words to “switch hats,” and even compares Grok AI and Gemini for different use cases. If you’re an entrepreneur looking to turn AI into your most efficient team member, this is your blueprint.We cover:ChatGPT 5 features vs ChatGPT 4 (thinking mode, multimodal input)When to use memory on vs memory offProjects vs custom GPTs: which to use whenSetting up prompts and trigger words for fast context switchingUsing agent mode to automate full workflowsComparing ChatGPT, Grok AI, and Gemini for entrepreneursTimestamps: (0:00) Intro and why ChatGPT 5 had Emma up all night (1:32) Key differences between ChatGPT 5 and ChatGPT 4 (3:08) Thinking mode vs non-thinking mode (4:42) Projects vs custom GPTs (6:10) Memory feature: on, off, and tactical use (8:03) Trigger words and role-switching with AI (9:55) Building a multi-role AI assistant (12:10) Automating 21-day email sequences with agent mode (14:05) Grok AI, Gemini AI, and where they fit (16:20) Final thoughts and Visionary Vault inviteAccess the free Visionary Vault to grab your AI Workflow Playbook, including prompt templates, automation tips, and a ChatGPT setup checklist → www.specialopspodcast.comExplore Free Resources inside the Visionary Vault:https://specialopspodcast.com/visionary-vault Get in Touch with Emma Rainville: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru
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Your AI Ads Might Be Illegal (Here's What You Need to Know)
Before you hit “publish” on that AI-generated ad, the FTC and state regulators may already be looking for you.Hosts Emma Rainville and FTC compliance attorney Ryan Poteet strip the shine off AI hype and reveal the legal risks marketers are hitting every day. From AI-generated testimonials to synthetic brand ambassadors in lab coats, what feels like a shortcut can become a subpoena if you ignore disclosure rules.We break down where the FTC, state attorneys general, and even California’s privacy regulators are focusing their fire — and how you can scale with AI without stepping into a legal minefield. This isn’t about fearing technology. It’s about building campaigns that are bulletproof under the harshest regulatory spotlight.We cover:- FTC’s stance on AI-generated content in ads- Disclosure requirements for synthetic faces and voices- How state AGs are outpacing federal regulators- When using AI crosses into unlicensed legal or professional advice- Legal do’s and don’ts for AI testimonials and avatars- California rules that set the national compliance barTimestamps:(0:00) The biggest AI-driven threat to marketers’ livelihoods(3:42) AI copywriting vs. FTC truth-in-advertising rules(8:15) Synthetic media and disclosure obligations(13:09) The NASM “AI coach” scenario — where you cross the line(17:54) AI testimonials: ethical vs. deceptive transformations(21:46) Why California compliance may be your safest bet(24:58) How to monitor fast-changing AI marketing lawsProtect your campaigns before the regulators come knocking. Download the free AI Compliance Kit inside the Visionary Vault at specialopspodcast.com and get the checklists, disclosure templates, and workflows to scale safely.Explore Free Resources at the Visionary Vault:https://specialopspodcast.com/visionary-vault Get in Touch with Ryan Poteet:Website: https://www.grsm.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-poteet-43098ba Get in Touch with Emma Rainville: Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru
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Are Non-Compete Clauses Dead? Here's How You Can Protect Your Business
If you're relying on a non-compete to protect your business, you're already behind.In this episode, Emma Rainveille and Ryan Poteet expose the non-compete myth that many entrepreneurs still cling to—and why most of these clauses are now legally worthless. With the FTC’s proposed ban thrown into legal chaos and state-by-state rules changing fast, the truth is clear: non-competes aren't your safety net anymore.This episode covers what is enforceable, how to legally protect your agency or team, and what employers still get wrong about trade secrets, non-solicits, and exits. Whether you're scaling, exiting, or just hiring your first key player, this is essential listening.We cover:Why your non-compete clause probably won’t hold up (and what to use instead)When non-solicits are enforceable—and when they’re disguised non-competesThe FTC’s April 2024 ban and August reversal: what’s actually enforceable nowLegal ways to protect your agency, offer, IP, and team without “shackling” peopleThe only time a non-compete has real teeth: post-exit restrictions for foundersHow to build contracts that protect your data, clients, and code legallyTimestamps:(0:00) You had them sign a non-compete... but it probably won't protect you(1:42) The FTC ban on non-competes: what happened in April and August 2024(3:21) Why state law still governs enforceability—and where the patchwork stands(5:00) Confidentiality, trade secrets, and what actually protects your IP(7:08) Non-solicitation clauses and client protections in 2025(9:04) What still works in court vs what will get tossed(11:12) Post-exit restrictions that hold more weight(12:58) Final thoughts and what to do nextDownload the legal playbook that goes with this episode in the Visionary Vault — visit www.specialopspodcast.com to access our full archive of free frameworks, templates, and legal resources.Explore Free Resources at the Visionary Vault:https://specialopspodcast.com/visionary-vault Get in Touch with Ryan Poteet:Website: https://www.grsm.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-poteet-43098ba Get in Touch with Emma Rainville: Website: https://specialopspodcast.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmarainvilleoperationsguru
Welcome to Special Ops, the tactical business podcast designed to help you grow your company through action, not words.
Hosted by seasoned entrepreneur Emma Rainville.
In each episode, Emma share strategies she used in her businesses to overcome revenue growth challenges, increase profit margins, and build leadership teams that run day-to-day business operations without you, as the CEO/founder, getting involved.
Each episode is designed around a free downloadable playbook to help you execute, which you can download for free at https://specialopspodcast.com.
Hit play on the most recent episode, and subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, and take your business to new heights.
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