“AI is just an expensive toy for big corporations.” That’s what James Chen, owner of Summit Custom Cabinets, told me when we first met at a local business networking event. His 12-employee operation had been crafting high-end custom cabinetry for 15 years, building a solid reputation through word-of-mouth and relationships with local contractors.

Let’s be honest—AI discussions often sound like they’re beamed in from some distant future where robots do everything while humans sip martinis on the beach. The reality for most small business owners is far more practical: you don’t need AI to pass the Turing test; you need it to help with everyday business challenges.

If you’ve dipped your toe into AI for your small business, you’ve probably discovered something frustrating: most AI tools are designed to solve a single problem really well, but they don’t necessarily talk to each other. It’s like having a team of brilliant specialists who all refuse to share notes.