Hey Berkeley — I get it. You're probably sifting through a bunch of city-specific AI consulting pages right now, all promising the moon and sounding pretty much the same. I'm not gonna do that. I'm a solo operator, A.I. Consulting LLC, and I help businesses in places like Berkeley figure out if AI actually makes sense for them, and then I help them get it done.
I’m not some big agency with a fancy sales team. It's just me. What that means for you is straightforward communication, no inflated promises, and someone who actually understands the nuts and bolts of what we're trying to build. If you're looking for someone to talk 'AI strategy' for six months without doing anything, I'm probably not your guy. If you want to actually try something, okay so, keep reading.
## What I actually do for Berkeley clients
Mostly, I help businesses in Berkeley take a specific problem they have – maybe it's too much manual data entry, or customers asking the same questions over and over, or needing to quickly categorize a bunch of text – and see if AI can make it better. I'm not just selling 'AI'; I'm selling solutions to real business headaches.
Typical projects might involve building a small pilot program to test an idea, like automating a piece of your customer support with a smart chatbot, or developing a custom AI model to analyze specific internal documents faster. It could also be setting up an automation that uses AI to summarize reports or personalize outbound communications. The goal is always to deliver something tangible that saves you time or makes you money, not just a glossy presentation.
## How a Berkeley engagement usually goes
1. **Week 1-2: Discovery & Scoping.** We'll have a few calls, and I'll ask a lot of questions about your business, your processes, and where you feel the pinch. I'll probably also poke around at your existing data and systems. The goal here is to pinpoint one or two clear problems that AI *might* solve, and then figure out if it's even feasible. I'll give you an honest assessment – if AI isn't the right tool, I'll tell you.
2. **Week 2-4: Proposal & Planning.** If we agree there's a good fit, I'll put together a detailed proposal outlining the specific project, what it will deliver, the timeline, and the fixed fee. This isn't just a generic template; it's tailored to what we discussed. Once you're happy with it, we'll get the paperwork sorted.
3. **Weeks 4-12 (or longer): Development & Implementation.** This is where I roll up my sleeves and build the thing. Whether it's a custom model, an automated workflow, or a pilot application, I'll be working directly on it. I'll keep you updated regularly, and we'll have check-ins to make sure we're on track and that what I'm building is what you actually need. Depending on complexity, this phase can obviously vary a lot.
4. **Post-Launch & Handover.** Once the solution is up and running, I'll make sure you and your team know how to use it. I'll provide documentation, and we'll test it thoroughly. I don't just dump something on you; I make sure you're comfortable and capable of operating it. I'm not gonna disappear on you either; I'm available for follow-up support if needed.
## What it costs, roughly
I work on a fixed-fee basis for most projects. I don't bill by the hour because I think it leads to less predictable outcomes and more stress for everyone. A smaller, focused pilot project for a Berkeley business might start in the low five figures, while something more complex, integrating with multiple systems or requiring custom model training, could be significantly more. It really depends on the scope, but I'll always give you a clear, upfront quote before any work starts. No surprises.
## Who I'm usually NOT a fit for
I'm probably not the right choice if you're a massive corporation looking for a multi-year 'digital transformation' strategy. I don't have a team of 50 consultants, and frankly, I don't want one. I also can't help if you're looking for someone to magically solve problems you don't actually understand yourself – AI isn't a silver bullet. And if your data is a complete mess and you're not willing to put in the work to clean it up, well, AI won't help much there either. I work best with businesses that have a clear problem, some decent data, and a willingness to iterate.
## Getting in touch
If you're a business owner in Berkeley, California, and you've got a specific challenge you think AI *might* help with, or you just want to kick around some ideas, I'd love to chat. It costs nothing to explore if there's a fit. Drop me a line, and we can book a 20-min call.
FAQs — Berkeley
How do I know if AI is worth it for my Berkeley business?
The best way to figure this out is to look for repetitive tasks, processes with lots of manual data handling, or areas where you need to make quick decisions based on large amounts of information. If you have those, AI might be able to help. We can discuss your specific situation on a call.
Do you work with companies outside Berkeley?
Yes, I work with businesses across the country. While this page is for my Berkeley clients, the process and services are similar regardless of location. The 'neighborhood shop' feel is about how I work, not necessarily where your office is.
What does the first 2 weeks look like?
In the first two weeks, we'll focus on discovery. This involves several conversations to understand your business and identify specific problems that AI could address. I'll also do some initial investigation into your data and existing systems.
Will you help us maintain the AI solution after it's built?
My primary focus is building and implementing the solution. However, I provide thorough documentation and training so your team can manage it. I'm also available for follow-up support as needed, typically on a separate agreement.
Can you integrate AI with our existing software?
Often, yes. A significant part of my work involves integrating new AI capabilities with your current systems. We'll assess your existing software during the discovery phase to determine the best approach for seamless integration.