Episode 5

full
Published on:

2nd Sep 2025

Beyond Bananas: Practical Use Cases for Gemini 2.5 Flash

We're setting the stage with a playful correction, Nano Banana is officially Google’s Gemini 2.5 Flash. And Michelle shares why she couldn’t resist testing it for both fun and real-world business use cases, kicking off an honest exploration of what works (and what doesn’t).

[00:01:30] Playing with Creative Images

Michelle experiments with futuristic cityscapes, rebel outfits, and podcast studios. While the results are fun, she calls out perspective challenges and body-type stereotypes still baked into AI outputs.

[00:03:00] Business Use Case: Branding Mockups

Using her Innovative AI Studio logo, Michelle tests Gemini 2.5 Flash for product mockups. The results—like supplement jars and yoga-themed lifestyle shots—prove surprisingly strong. She also notes the hiccups: lag time, token consumption, and blending limitations.

[00:05:30] The Skirt Test: Product Placement Accuracy

Michelle puts Gemini to the ultimate test: a highly detailed parrot-and-palm tree skirt for eBay reselling. The verdict? “Holy shit accurate.” Every detail came through—making this a powerful tool for side hustlers and entrepreneurs needing standout product images.

[00:07:30] Brand Collage & Outfit Creation

Michelle tries building a whole Innovative AI Studio look—leather jacket, distressed jeans, branded cap. While it nails character consistency, Gemini struggles with details like shoe color. Still, the potential for branded visuals is huge.

[00:08:30] Restoring a Family Photo

Michelle uses Gemini to colorize a black-and-white photo of her grandfather. The results? Authentic, realistic, and a meaningful personal win.

[00:10:00] Data Visualization Trials

Michelle explores data viz with PDFs and spreadsheets but finds Gemini’s limitations clear—image cutoffs and token-heavy processing. She pivots to highlight stronger use cases in annotated images and interior design mockups.

[00:12:00] Character Consistency & Upscaling Needs

Michelle highlights how Gemini excels at keeping a model consistent across branded looks but stresses that upscaling is still essential for polished, professional outputs.


Michelle wraps with excitement about Gemini 2.5 Flash’s potential for mockups, product placement, and branding visuals. Her advice: dive in, play with annotated images, and test use cases tied to your business.

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About the Podcast

Empowered by AI
Women Entrepreneurs Leading the Way
Welcome to Empowered by AI, where women entrepreneurs harness the power of AI to transform their businesses, break new ground, and lead confidently. Hosted by Michelle Muncy-Silva, founder of Innovation AI Studios, this podcast is your go-to resource for stories, strategies, and tools that help women combine creativity with cutting-edge technology to build the brands of tomorrow.
In each episode, we sit down with trailblazing women who are not just embracing AI—they’re unapologetically ensuring a place at the table in leveraging AI to redefine their industries, spark innovation, and elevate their businesses. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting your journey, Empowered by AI delivers real talk and actionable insights from women who have been where you are, tackled the challenges, and demanded that AI be a tool for women’s progress.
This isn’t just a tech podcast—it’s a platform for women looking for like-minded collaboration and support to build standout brands, gain clarity on how AI serves their strategy, and discover the tools to take their businesses to the next level. We dive deep into topics like AI-enhanced storytelling, using AI to streamline and scale, and the future of creativity in a world where technology is rewriting the rules.
Join us for:
Conversations with women leaders at the forefront of AI and entrepreneurship.
Practical advice on how to integrate AI into your business, even if you’re not a tech expert.
The latest AI tools and resources you can use to build a brand that stands out.
Empowering stories from women who are balancing the demands of running a business with navigating the world of AI.
Each episode is packed with actionable takeaways that you can put into practice right away, whether you’re automating your workflows, enhancing your visual branding, or discovering the next big AI tool that will give your business a competitive edge.
We’ll talk about:
How AI and creativity collide to drive innovation.
The real-life stories of women paving the way in AI, who prove that you don’t need a tech background to master the future.
How AI can help you build a strong, memorable brand.
The AI tools every entrepreneur should have in their toolkit.
The power of mentorship, community, and women supporting women in the AI space.
Our goal? To empower you with the knowledge and tools to embrace AI confidently—no tech degree required—and inspire you with the voices of women who are actively participating in shaping the future of AI - all so we can collaboratively create AI-driven solutions that empower you to transform your business into something that not only thrives but leads the way in your industry.
Ready to take your business to the next level? Tune in, get inspired, and learn how to use AI to amplify your creativity, streamline your processes, and build a brand that’s not just innovative, but unstoppable.
And every episode ends with the same question to our amazing guests: What’s next?
Empowered by AI is more than just a podcast—it’s your community, your resource, and your weekly dose of inspiration to become a leader in the future of entrepreneurship.
Hit subscribe, and let’s transform your business together!

About your host

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Michelle Muncy-Silva