Frequently asked questions

You can, and many firms do. The challenge isn't the tool — it's knowing where to apply it, how to structure the prompts for your specific work, and how to integrate the output into your existing processes without creating more manual steps. A workshop gives you that structure. An automation engagement builds it into your workflow so it runs without someone remembering to open ChatGPT every time.

Our pricing reflects the deliverables, not the hours. A $2,500 Quick Scan delivers a prioritized report with specific ROI estimates. A $500 workshop produces a working workflow your team can use the next day. We're transparent about what you get at each price point, and we're happy to explain the scope behind any number.

The workshop is designed around your specific workflow, not a generic demo. If we can't identify a meaningful use case during our pre-session call, we'll tell you before you commit. We've also never had a client leave a workshop without at least one working tool they didn't have before.

The workshop is our smallest formal engagement. For specific questions or one-time help, our Personal IT service starts at $100/hour with a 30-minute minimum. If you're not sure what you need, a 30-minute paid consultation can help clarify whether a workshop, scan, or hourly help is the right fit.

We understand. That's why we designed the portfolio so you can start at $500 and expand only when the value justifies it. There's no pressure to move up — many clients are well-served by a single workshop. We'd rather you do one thing well within budget than stretch for something you're not ready for.

Workshops are a single day. Quick Scans take 1–2 weeks. Assessments take 4–5 weeks. Implementation projects range from 1–16 weeks depending on scope. Every engagement has a defined timeline confirmed at scoping, and we stick to it.

Workshops: 2–4 hours. Quick Scans: 4–6 hours over 2 weeks. Assessments: 15–25 hours over 5 weeks (distributed across staff). Implementation projects depend on scope but always involve your team in design and testing — this isn't something we build in isolation and drop on your desk.

Almost never. We work with whatever tools you already use — email, CRM, file storage, scheduling software, practice management systems. Our job is to connect what you have and fill the gaps, not sell you a new platform.

Every engagement has defined deliverables and acceptance criteria established at scoping. If we deliver something that doesn't match what was agreed, we fix it. Our contracts include a formal review period for every deliverable. That said, dissatisfaction usually comes from misaligned expectations — which is why we spend time at scoping making sure we agree on what "done" looks like before any work begins.

Both. Workshops can be in-person or virtual. Assessments typically include on-site time. Implementation can be done entirely remotely for most projects. For Northern Michigan clients, on-site visits are included in our pricing when they make sense for the engagement.

We handle data security the same way a professional services firm handles client confidentiality — because that's what our clients expect. Our MSA includes data handling provisions, confidentiality obligations, and restrictions on how client data is used. For AI tools specifically, we document which tools touch your data, what processing occurs, and where data is stored. Nothing is used to train models without explicit written consent.

It depends on the use case. We select tools based on your specific requirements — security posture, data handling needs, integration requirements, and budget. Common tools include language models for document processing, automation platforms for workflow orchestration, and analytics tools for data modeling. Every tool decision is documented in the Statement of Work before implementation begins.

AI tools are probabilistic, not perfect. That's why every workflow we build includes human review at decision points. We don't build "fully autonomous" systems for high-stakes work. We build systems where AI handles preparation, formatting, retrieval, and first drafts — and humans handle judgment, review, and sign-off. The goal is to give your team better inputs, not to remove them from the process.

We design workflows with compliance requirements in mind from the start. Our MSA includes provisions for data handling and AI tool usage. For specific regulatory requirements (HIPAA, financial regulations, legal ethics rules), we work within those constraints and document how every tool and workflow satisfies them. We don't provide legal or regulatory advice, but we design systems that your compliance team can review and approve.

Fair question. We're new as a consulting practice, but the expertise isn't new. Our approach is designed to earn trust through small engagements before asking for large commitments. Start with a $500 workshop. If the results justify it, move to a scan. Every step gives you evidence before the next decision. We don't ask for trust — we earn it one deliverable at a time.

As a new practice, we're building our case study library. What we can offer is transparent scoping — you'll know exactly what you're getting before any work begins — and references from early clients as they become available. Our contracts also include provisions for case study participation (with your approval) that come with engagement incentives.

The practice is founder-led, which means you work directly with the person who understands your business — not a junior associate who was briefed last Tuesday. For larger engagements, we bring in specialized support where needed, but the relationship and accountability are direct.

Our primary service area is Northern Michigan — the Traverse City, Petoskey, Bellaire, Charlevoix, and Gaylord corridor. We work on-site within this area and remotely beyond it. For organizations outside Northern Michigan, workshops, assessments, and implementation can all be delivered virtually.