Solutions, not hours.
Use this when a real workflow is costing time, revenue, accuracy, or speed — and another generic SaaS tool will not fit the way your team actually works. The engagement is designed to turn that workflow into a scoped AI system, not an open-ended advisory retainer.
A manual workflow becomes a runnable system
The end state is not a strategy document. It is a data flow, approval path, dashboard, queue, report, or automation your team can operate.
The risky part gets proved before the larger spend
Phase 1 validates the data, integration, model behavior, and operator handoff that decide whether the full build is worth approving.
The implementation is priced before it starts
You get the build scope, delivery checkpoints, and fixed price before Phase 2 begins, so the project does not turn into open-ended hourly consulting.
The Roadmap
Flat fee. Credited toward Phase 2.
The standard first step for every engagement. Before I build anything, we map the terrain together. You walk away with a working proof of concept and a fixed-price proposal for the full build, even if you decide to stop there.
Custom Implementation
Fixed price. Agreed before any work begins.
Typical past range: $8k – $50k+ depending on complexity
The full build — whatever your system requires. Could be a data pipeline, an agentic workflow, a knowledge engine, a monitoring dashboard, or a combination of all of them. The scope, price, and timeline are locked in your Phase 1 blueprint.
When the workflow shape is already known, the build does not have to start from zero.
Two of the most common needs — competitive intelligence and content operations — already have systems behind them. The roadmap still happens; it just gets faster and more concrete because the architecture exists. Your data, sources, approvals, and integrations decide what fits.
Competitive / Vendor Intelligence Platform
A reusable system for competitor, vendor, account, review, and market signals. Your source list, CRM context, target vendors, and workflow decide what gets connected.
AI Content Ops Station
A reusable system for SEO pages, comparison pages, blogs, email sequences, and campaign assets generated from approved brand, keyword, and proof-point data.
What the $4,500 roadmap actually produces
Phase 1 should leave you with a real build decision, not vague advice. You keep the blueprint and proof of concept whether or not you continue into Phase 2.
Technical blueprint
Architecture, workflow boundaries, data flow, implementation assumptions, and recommended build path.
Working proof of concept
A narrow end-to-end proof that validates the riskiest part of the workflow before a larger build.
Integration map
The systems, data sources, APIs, permissions, and handoffs required for the implementation.
Risk and security notes
Deployment constraints, human-review points, sensitive data handling, and open delivery risks.
Fixed-price Phase 2 proposal
A scoped implementation plan with deliverables, milestones, and price defined before build work starts.
Best fit for
Teams with a real workflow, data, or operational bottleneck to solve.
Buyers who want fixed-fee scoping before committing to a larger build.
Projects where architecture, integrations, and delivery risk need to be defined up front.
Probably not ideal for
Free-form strategy conversations without implementation intent.
Very early ideas with no owner, no workflow definition, and no budget path.
Procurement-heavy motions that require enterprise compliance before scoped roadmap work can begin.
The search term changes; the work is a scoped system.
Some teams call this AI automation consulting. Others need custom AI development, workflow automation, or an AI systems consultant. The useful distinction is whether there is a real process, real data, and a clear owner.
AI automation consultant
When the work is about turning repetitive operational processes into reliable software-backed workflows.
AI workflow automation consultant
When the bottleneck crosses inboxes, CRMs, calendars, dashboards, approvals, or internal queues.
Custom AI development services
When the solution needs code, integrations, data pipelines, dashboards, and deployment, not just advice.
AI systems roadmap consultant
When the team needs the workflow, proof point, architecture, and fixed-price build scope defined before implementation.
AI implementation consultant
When the work needs to move from idea to production system with data access, integrations, testing, and operator handoff.
AI consultant for startups
When a smaller team has a concrete workflow, budget path, and enough urgency to scope a build responsibly.
Remote AI consultant
When the engagement can be scoped and delivered through async review, video sessions, shared docs, and milestone demos.
Need more context before you commit?
Review the delivery model on the process page or the current security posture before starting the audit. The pricing only makes sense if the engagement shape and risk boundaries fit your team.
Common Questions
What if my project is small?
The two-phase model scales down just as well. A simple alert pipeline or automation workflow still starts with a Roadmap — it just results in a smaller, faster Phase 2.
Do you offer custom AI development services or just consulting?
Both. Phase 1 is the consulting and architecture roadmap. Phase 2 is the custom AI development and implementation work, priced before build begins.
What is the difference between AI automation consulting and custom AI development?
Consulting defines the workflow, architecture, proof point, and risk boundaries. Custom AI development is the implementation work that follows after the build is scoped.
What happens after the AI systems roadmap?
You keep the blueprint, proof of concept, integration map, risk notes, and fixed-price Phase 2 proposal. You can build with me, build internally, pause, or choose a simpler tool.
Do you already have prebuilt AI systems?
Yes. The Competitive / Vendor Intelligence Platform and AI Content Ops Station both have reusable architecture already built. Phase 1 customizes the data, workflows, integrations, and approval rules around your business.
Do you work with startups or remote teams?
Yes, when there is a clear workflow owner, real data, and an implementation path. The model can fit startups, founder-led teams, and remote teams that need AI workflow automation tied to operations.
Why can't I skip Phase 1?
Phase 1 protects both of us. You get a working proof of concept before committing to a larger investment. I get a clear scope so I can price accurately and deliver on time.
How is Phase 2 priced?
Based on the complexity and scope defined in your Phase 1 blueprint. It's a fixed price — not hourly. No surprise invoices. Past builds have ranged from $8k to $50k+.
Do you bill hourly for anything?
No. Every engagement is flat-fee or fixed-price. If I'm faster than expected, you pay the same. If it takes me longer, you still pay the same.
How is data security handled during AI consulting engagements?
The deployment model is scoped to your operational and security requirements. Cloud, local, and hybrid patterns can be evaluated per project. If you have procurement or compliance constraints, those should be defined before build work begins.
Who owns the deliverables?
You do. All code, documentation, and architecture are yours. No vendor lock-in, no proprietary dependencies. Data-handling constraints should be scoped explicitly as part of the engagement.
All engagements require a completed Phase 1 Roadmap. Phase 2 pricing is finalized in the blueprint and fixed before any build begins. No hourly billing, no surprise invoices.