Okay so, let's be real. You're probably on this page because you've heard a lot about AI and how it's 'changing everything,' and now you're wondering if it can actually do anything useful for your business here in Washington. You've seen the headlines, maybe even played around with ChatGPT a bit, and now you're thinking, 'Is this for me, or just for the big tech companies?' That's where I come in. I don't pretend AI is some magic wand. It's a tool, and like any tool, it's only good if you know how to use it right.
I'm not gonna promise to revolutionize your business overnight. What I *can* do is help you identify specific, practical problems that AI can solve, and then help you get it working. Think of me as that experienced mechanic who knows exactly what part you need, rather than the dealership trying to upsell you on a whole new engine. I'm a solo shop, so you're always working directly with me. No junior associates, no disappearing acts.
## What I actually do for Washington clients
For businesses in Washington, D.C., my work usually falls into a few buckets. Most often, I'm brought in to help with a specific problem or opportunity. Maybe you've got a pile of customer support emails that take forever to categorize, and you're wondering if AI could sort them for you. Or perhaps you're sitting on a ton of internal data and can't quite make sense of it, and you think a custom AI model might help you spot trends faster. I can help build and implement that kind of stuff.
Another common project is setting up an automation. This could be anything from using AI to summarize lengthy reports for your team, to automating parts of your content creation process for marketing materials. The goal is always the same: find a task that's repetitive, time-consuming, or just plain annoying, and see if AI can make it better. I'll help you get a pilot project off the ground, show you how it works, and make sure it's something you can actually use and maintain. It's about making your daily operations in Washington a bit smoother.
## How a Washington engagement usually goes
1. **Initial Chat & Discovery (1 week):** We'll hop on a call, you tell me what's on your mind, what problems you're facing, or what opportunities you see. I'll ask some questions to get a clearer picture. Then, I'll put together a short proposal outlining a potential project, its scope, and a rough timeline. This first part is usually pretty quick, just to make sure we're on the same page.
2. **Deep Dive & Planning (2-3 weeks):** If the proposal looks good, we'll spend a bit more time digging into the specifics. This might involve looking at your existing data, understanding your current workflows, and mapping out the exact steps for the AI solution. This is where I figure out what tools we'll need and how we're gonna build it. I'll then give you a more firm timeline and a fixed-fee quote for the work.
3. **Development & Testing (4-8 weeks, depending):** This is where I get to work. I'll build out the AI model or automation, test it rigorously, and make sure it's doing what it's supposed to do. I'll keep you updated regularly, and we'll have check-ins to review progress and make any necessary adjustments. Your feedback during this phase is crucial to making sure it fits your business.
4. **Deployment & Handoff (1 week):** Once everything is built and tested, I'll help you get it integrated into your existing systems. I'll also provide documentation and training for your team, so you understand how to use it and what to do if you run into any issues. My goal isn't just to build something, but to make sure you can actually use it independently after I'm done. That's important for any business in Washington.
## What it costs, roughly
I understand budget is always a consideration. Because every project is unique, I don't have a one-size-fits-all price list. However, I typically work on a fixed-fee basis after the initial discovery phase. This means you know the exact cost upfront, with no surprises. For smaller pilot projects or specific automations, you're usually looking at a few thousand dollars to get started. More complex projects, like building a custom AI model from scratch and integrating it deeply, could be in the low five-figure range. I'm not the cheapest option, but I aim to provide good value and clear deliverables, and that's something I think Washington businesses appreciate.
## Who I'm usually NOT a fit for
I'm pretty upfront about this: I'm not the right fit for everyone. If you're a large corporation looking for a consulting firm with hundreds of employees, or if you need an AI strategy for a global enterprise, I'm probably not your guy. I also don't do 'pie-in-the-sky' projects with no clear business objective; I'm here to solve actual problems, not just explore theoretical concepts. If you're looking for someone to just talk about AI without actually doing anything, that's not me either. I'm really best suited for small to medium-sized businesses in Washington, D.C. that have a specific problem they think AI might help with, and are ready to get something built and implemented.
## Getting in touch
If you're a business in Washington, D.C. and you've got a specific challenge you're wondering if AI can tackle, or if you just want to talk through some ideas, I'd be happy to chat. I'm all about practical solutions, not just buzzwords. The first step is usually a quick, no-pressure conversation to see if there's a good fit. Go ahead and book a 20-min call with me — let's see what we can build together.
FAQs — Washington
How do I know if AI is worth it for my Washington business?
The best way to figure that out is to identify a specific, repetitive task that takes up a lot of time or resources. If AI can automate or significantly improve that one task, it's often worth exploring. We can discuss your situation during an initial call.
Do you work with companies outside Washington, D.C.?
Yes, I work with businesses all over the U.S. My base is in Florida, but most of my work is done remotely, so location isn't usually an issue. I'm happy to help businesses in Washington or anywhere else.
What does the first 2 weeks of an engagement look like?
The first two weeks usually involve an initial chat to understand your needs, followed by a deeper dive into your current processes and data. This helps me put together a clear, fixed-fee proposal for the project.
What kind of data do I need to have for AI to be useful?
It really depends on the project. For some automations, you might not need much specific data. For others, like building a custom prediction model, having a clean, organized dataset related to the problem you want to solve is very helpful. We can assess this together.
Will I understand how the AI works after you're done?
Absolutely. A big part of my process is making sure you and your team understand how to use and manage the AI solution I build. I provide documentation and training so you're not left in the dark.