AI for Small Business: Practical Tools for Everyday Success

Tara Punwaney

Business Technology & AI Educator

Practical AI Skills to Save Time, Cut Costs, and Grow Your Small Business

Running a small business means wearing many hats. From marketing and customer communications to planning, research, and daily operations, there never seems to be enough time.

Artificial intelligence can helpβ€”but knowing where to start, which tools are worth using, and how to avoid unnecessary expenses can feel overwhelming.

AI for Small Business: Practical Tools for Everyday Success makes AI understandable, affordable, and useful for small-business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone considering starting a business.

Through three hands-on sessions, you'll explore ways to use AI for business planning, market research, marketing, social media, customer communications, and productivity. You'll learn to evaluate free and paid tools, save time and money, and recognize when AI may not be the right solution.

No technical background or AI experience is required. You'll gain practical skills, reusable strategies, and confidence to apply AI to your business goals.

The goal isn't to use more technology. It's to run your business more effectively, with tools that work for you.

What you’ll learn

Use affordable AI tools for marketing, research, planning, customer communications, and everyday tasks to save time and improve productivity

  • Identify specific business tasks where AI can save time, reduce costs, or improve everyday operations.

  • Select affordable AI tools that match your business goals, budget, and level of experience.

  • Create a realistic, step-by-step plan to introduce AI into your business with confidence.

  • Compare free and paid AI tools to understand their features, limitations, and overall value.

  • Identify AI solutions for marketing, research, customer service, and daily business operations.

  • Evaluate subscription costs, privacy considerations, and potential time savings before choosing AI tools.

  • Use AI to research industry trends, customer needs, and potential opportunities for business growth.

  • Analyze competitors' products, pricing, and marketing strategies to identify ways to differentiate your business.

  • Use AI to brainstorm business ideas, evaluate opportunities, and develop practical business plans.

  • Use AI to draft engaging social media posts, promotional materials, and marketing messages tailored to your audience.

  • Create professional customer emails, responses to inquiries, and follow-up messages while maintaining your business's voice.

  • Develop consistent marketing content across platforms while saving time and reducing the need for expensive outside services.

  • Identify repetitive business tasks that AI can simplify, such as scheduling, data entry, and routine communications.

  • Use AI to organize information, draft documents, summarize materials, and streamline everyday workflows.

  • Explore affordable automation tools that reduce manual work while maintaining accuracy and human oversight.

  • Learn to verify AI-generated information, recognize errors, and avoid relying on inaccurate or misleading results.

  • Understand data privacy risks and how to protect sensitive business, customer, and financial information when using AI.

  • Evaluate AI tools for reliability, transparency, and responsible use before incorporating them into business decisions.

Learn directly from Tara

Tara Punwaney

Tara Punwaney

AI educator and federal financial professional focused on practical AI skills.

See all products from Tara

Who this course is for

  • Small-business owners seeking affordable AI tools to save time, reduce costs, improve marketing, and streamline operations.

  • Aspiring entrepreneurs looking to use AI for business planning, market research, marketing, and evaluating new opportunities.

  • Freelancers and independent professionals wanting to attract clients, manage workloads, and grow their businesses using practical AI tools.

What's included

Tara Punwaney

Live sessions

Learn directly from Tara Punwaney in a real-time, interactive format.

Lifetime access

Go back to course content and recordings whenever you need to.

Community of peers

Stay accountable and share insights with like-minded professionals.

Certificate of completion

Share your new skills with your employer or on LinkedIn.

Hands-on exercises and personalized AI action plan

Learn by doing with practical exercises tailored to real business challenges. Explore affordable AI tools, practice applying them to everyday tasks, and develop a personalized action plan you can use immediately to save time, improve productivity, and make informed technology decisions.

Live, interactive instruction with Q&A

Participate in three live, instructor-led sessions where you can ask questions, explore real-world business examples, and practice using AI tools. Learn alongside other business owners and entrepreneurs while receiving guidance to help you apply what you learn to your own goals.

Affordable AI tools and practical workflows

Discover free and reasonably priced AI tools that can support marketing, research, customer communications, and daily operations. Compare features, costs, and limitations while learning practical workflows that help you save time without paying for unnecessary subscriptions.

Beginner-friendly β€” no technical experience needed

No coding, technical background, or previous AI experience is required. Learn through clear explanations, guided demonstrations, and practical exercises designed for everyday business needs. Build confidence at your own pace and discover how AI can support your goals.

Maven Guarantee

Your purchase is backed by the Maven Guarantee.

Course syllabus

Week 1

Dec 2β€”Dec 6

    AI Foundations & Business Opportunities

    1 item

Week 2

Dec 7β€”Dec 13

    Marketing, Research & Customer Engagement

    1 item

Frequently asked questions

Maven for Teams

Reimbursement

Get your company to pay

Everything L&D needs: email template, receipts, and certificate of completion.

Get reimbursed

Team discount

Learn with your teammates

Save 20%+ when 2 or more teammates enroll in the same cohort.

Save 20%+ with a team

Private cohort

Run a cohort for your org

A dedicated cohort with a custom schedule and curriculum, tailored to your team.

Book a private cohort

$225

USD

Dec 3β€”Dec 17
Enroll