Where does AI actually fit in your business — and who's going to build it?
I help companies cut through the AI hype, find the few places it will actually make money or save time, and lead your existing team to build it — without hiring a whole AI department.
Former Senior Director of Technology at an AI startup · 35+ years in architecture & engineering leadership
Everyone's telling you to "use AI." Almost no one can tell you where, how, or whether it's worth it.
Most businesses are stuck between two bad options: ignore AI and fall behind, or burn money chasing shiny tools that don't move the needle. You don't need another demo. You need someone senior who has actually built AI into real businesses to tell you the truth about what's worth doing — and then make it happen with the team you already have.
"We brought Stephen in to figure out where AI actually fit in our real estate business — the real opportunities, not the hype. He helped us define what should, could, and shouldn't be automated, then turned our new property listing process from a multi-week slog into minutes. Honest, clear, and hands-on the whole way."
I take on a limited number of advisory clients at a time so each gets senior, hands-on attention.
AI Opportunity Audit
A focused review of your business, workflows, and data to identify exactly where AI will create real value — and where it won't. You get a prioritized roadmap, an honest ROI assessment, and a clear build plan your team can execute.
- Map your highest-value AI opportunities (and the traps to avoid)
- Honest "build vs. buy vs. skip" call on each
- Prioritized roadmap with effort vs. impact
- A build plan your existing developers can follow
- Follow-up working session included
Guarantee: if the audit doesn't surface at least 3 high-ROI AI opportunities, you don't pay.
Book a Free Call to StartAI Advisory Retainer
Senior AI leadership without hiring a full-time AI exec. I work alongside your team — guiding architecture, reviewing builds, keeping you focused on what actually pays off, and translating between your business goals and your developers. Embedded 2-day-per-week engagements available at $12,000/month.
- Where-AI-fits strategy that stays current as tools change
- Hands-on guidance for your tech team as they build
- Guardrails so you don't waste budget on dead ends
- Weekly or monthly cadence to fit your stage
- Direct access to a senior technology leader
I make AI concrete — real builds inside real businesses, not just slide decks.
- Employee #2 & Senior Director of Technology at an AI startup
- 35+ years in architecture, infrastructure & engineering
- I speak founder and engineer — nothing gets lost
- Focused on ROI: what makes money or saves time
- Built complete product & cloud architectures, zero to scale
- Known for reducing risk and avoiding costly mistakes
Businesses with real revenue and a team — who know they need to "do AI" but have no one senior to lead it.
Founders & Operators
You need a clear plan for AI and a steady hand to execute it — not another vendor pitch.
CTO-less Companies
You have developers but no senior technical leader to set AI direction and keep it on track.
Growing Teams
You're moving fast and want AI built the right way the first time, without wasted budget.
What founders ask before we talk
How is this different from hiring an agency or another AI consultant?
Agencies sell you build hours. I tell you the truth about what's worth building first — then lead your existing team to do it. You get a senior fractional CTO and AI advisor in one person, not a vendor trying to maximize a project invoice.
What if we're not even sure we have a real use case for AI?
That's exactly what the free AI Fit Call and the AI Opportunity Audit are for. I'll tell you honestly where AI will pay off in your business — and where it won't — so you don't burn budget chasing hype.
Do you actually build, or just advise?
Both. I set the strategy and architecture, then work hands-on with your developers to get it built right the first time — translating between your business goals and your engineers.
What does a fractional CTO or AI advisor cost?
The AI Opportunity Audit is $4,500. Ongoing AI advisory retainers start at $6,500/month, with embedded 2-day-per-week engagements at $12,000/month — a fraction of the $300k+ cost of a full-time CTO or Chief AI Officer.
How fast can we start, and what does the first month look like?
We start with a 15-minute AI Fit Call, then an audit or a retainer. Month one is finding your highest-ROI opportunities and getting your team moving on the first one — no six-month discovery phase.
Not sure where AI fits for you? That's exactly what the free call is for.
15 minutes, no pitch. We'll find whether there's a real, high-ROI AI opportunity in your business — and what to do about it.
Book Your Free 15-Min AI Fit CallPhone: (844) 695-1212 · [email protected]