Okay so, you’re in Washington, and you've heard all the buzzwords. 'AI this,' 'data science that.' But what does it actually mean for your business? For most of my clients, it means finding smarter ways to use the data they already have, or building little automations that save them a ton of time and money in the long run.
I’m not gonna promise you the moon. What I *can* promise is a straightforward approach to figuring out if machine learning or data science can actually help your specific situation. No fancy jargon, just honest talk about what’s possible and what’s not, right from my Florida office to your business in Washington.
## What I actually do for Washington clients
Mostly, I help businesses in Washington make better decisions or automate repetitive tasks using their own data. That could look like building a predictive model to forecast sales, identifying customer segments that are most likely to buy, or even setting up a system to automatically flag anomalies in financial transactions. It's about taking the guesswork out of things where you've got enough data to let the numbers do some of the talking.
Another common project is setting up reporting dashboards or finding patterns that are hidden in plain sight within your data. Maybe you have a spreadsheet with years of customer interactions, and we can find out why some customers stick around and others don't. Or maybe you need to automate a data entry process that's eating up too much of your team's time. I’m here to figure out what those 'low-hanging fruit' opportunities are for your Washington business.
## How a Washington engagement usually goes
1. **Week 1: The Dive-In.** We start with a couple of in-depth calls. I'm gonna ask a lot of questions about your business, your current challenges, and what kind of data you're sitting on. The goal here is to really understand the problem you're trying to solve. I’ll probably ask for some sample data (anonymized, of course) to get a feel for what we're working with. By the end of this week, I'll have a pretty good idea of whether I can genuinely help.
2. **Weeks 2-3: The Blueprint.** If it looks like a good fit, I'll put together a concise project proposal. This isn't some 50-page document, but a clear outline of the problem, the proposed solution (e.g., 'build a churn prediction model'), the expected outcomes, and a fixed-fee price. This is where we make sure we're totally aligned on what success looks like for your Washington company.
3. **Weeks 4-10 (or more): The Build.** Once you give the go-ahead, I get to work. This phase involves a lot of data cleaning, model building, and testing. I’ll keep you updated with regular check-ins, showing you progress and asking for feedback. It's an iterative process, and I want to make sure the solution is actually useful for your business operations here in Washington.
4. **Final Delivery & Handover.** When the solution is ready, I’ll deliver it to you. This could be a working model, an automated script, or a detailed report with recommendations. I'll also provide documentation and, if needed, some basic training so you can actually use what I've built. My goal is to make sure you're self-sufficient with the new tools or insights.
## What it costs, roughly
Look, I work on a fixed-fee basis for most projects. This means no surprise bills or 'hours worked' debates. After our initial talks, I'll give you one price for the whole project, and that's it. For a typical pilot project, something that takes me a few weeks to build and deliver, you're usually looking at a few thousand dollars. More complex engagements, maybe involving integrating with your existing systems, can be higher. I’m not the cheapest option out there, but I'm also not gonna charge you what a huge firm would. I aim for good value and clear pricing.
## Who I'm usually NOT a fit for
I’m pretty upfront about this: I’m not for everyone. If you’re a massive corporation looking for a team of 50 consultants to overhaul your entire global data strategy, I'm probably not your guy. I also typically don't take on projects that require building custom software from scratch or managing large IT infrastructure. My sweet spot is working with small to medium-sized businesses in Washington and elsewhere that have a clear business problem and some data they're not quite sure what to do with. If you're looking for a quick fix or a 'magic bullet,' I'm probably not it either. What I offer is considered, practical work that moves the needle.
## Getting in touch
Ready to see if machine learning or data science can actually make a difference for your business in Washington, D.C.? The easiest way to get started is to book a 20-min call with me. No sales pitch, just a chat to understand your situation and see if there's a fit. You can find the link on my website to book a 20-min call.
FAQs — Washington
How do I know if AI is worth it for my Washington business?
The best way to figure this out is to look at repetitive tasks that take a lot of human time, or areas where you make decisions without much data to back them up. If you've got data on those things, there's a good chance AI or data science can help.
Do you work with companies outside Washington?
Yes, absolutely. While I make a point to serve the Washington area, I work with clients all over the U.S. My consulting is done remotely, so location isn't a barrier once we've established a good fit.
What does the first 2 weeks look like?
The first two weeks are all about understanding your specific challenges and data. We'll have several calls, I'll ask a lot of questions, and then I'll put together a clear proposal outlining the project scope and fixed cost.
What kind of data do I need to have?
You don't need 'perfect' data, but you do need *some* data. This could be in spreadsheets, databases, or even just detailed records. The more consistent and relevant your data, the better, but we can usually work with what you have.
Will I own the models and code you develop?
Yes, absolutely. Once the project is complete and paid for, you will have full ownership of any models, code, or insights I develop for your business in Washington. I provide all necessary documentation for handover.