How Small Businesses Are Making AI Work for Them
As artificial intelligence continues to transform the business landscape, small businesses and solo entrepreneurs are finding innovative ways to leverage AI tools to their advantage. While large corporations have been at the forefront of AI adoption, smaller enterprises are now using these technologies to streamline operations, enhance productivity, and solve complex problems.
Recent research indicates that 40% of U.S. small businesses are already utilizing generative AI for various tasks, including customer insights, relationship management, and talent recruitment. Another 49% plan to adopt AI tools within the next couple of years, potentially reshaping the future of entrepreneurship. Anita Ortiz, founder of Shift Smart AI, exemplifies this trend. She developed an AI marketing platform to address common challenges in the real estate industry, such as lead generation and deal closure.
Ortiz spent over eight months building Shift Smart AI using an open-source software platform, customizing it with automations, templates, and AI agents. The platform helps professionals systematize their businesses, streamline operations, and generate consistent leads without burnout. It combines essential functionalities such as CRM, sales tracking, email marketing, and social media scheduling.
“The truth is, AI isn’t just for tech giants anymore—it’s for everyone,” Ortiz said. “Whether you’re running a local bakery, managing rental properties, or even planning your daily schedule, these tools can make life simpler and business smoother.” Derrick Barker, co-founder of Nectar, a commercial real estate lender based in Atlanta, has also harnessed the power of AI. Nectar uses machine learning and AI tools to streamline the lending process, particularly for smaller transactions.
Nectar’s AI tools automate the review and data extraction process for due diligence documents, reducing the time to finish an underwriting memo from three to five days to just a couple of hours. This has significantly improved their operational efficiency and allowed them to close deals faster.
Team-GPT, a San Francisco-based company, has developed an enterprise AI tool that facilitates collaboration between teams in small and medium-sized businesses and large organizations. Their platform streamlines content creation, enhances productivity, and ensures consistency in brand voice and tone. According to Team-GPT CEO Iliya Valchanov, marketers save approximately 12.5 hours per week using their tool, translating to significant cost savings.
Before diving into AI adoption, McKenzie Rudolf, headhunter at The Linq, advises small businesses to proceed with caution. She recommends exploring open-source AI solutions and being prepared for a trial-and-error experience. While AI can solve many business problems, it also comes with risks such as security concerns and potential financial losses if not implemented correctly.
As AI continues to evolve, small businesses that embrace these technologies are likely to gain a competitive edge in their respective markets. By leveraging AI tools effectively, entrepreneurs can improve operational efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and drive business growth.
