Hands-On AI Workshop for Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs

🚀 Ready to transform your business with AI? 🚀

Join Shop Startup, Computer Computer Computer, and Crystalisr Cooperative for a FREE, immersive AI workshop designed for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Roll up your sleeves and dive into practical AI skills to streamline workflows, cut costs, and unlock creativity.

In the workshop, you’ll:

✅ Craft precision AI prompts for marketing, customer service, and content creation.

✅ Build your own AI assistant tailored to your business needs.

✅ Design AI agents to automate repetitive tasks (social media, invoicing, data analysis).

✅ Deploy open-source LLMs for privacy and cost efficiency.

✅ Secure your AI tools with expert cybersecurity tips.

✅ Collaborate live with peers to troubleshoot and innovate.

No tech experience needed—just bring a laptop, tablet or phone, curiosity, and a problem you want to solve.

Workshop Highlights

🔹 Prompt Engineering Lab

Go beyond basics: Create prompts that generate specific, actionable outputs for your business.

🔹 Build Your AI Toolkit

Hands-on practice with free/no-code tools (e.g., AI Studio, Make, Hugging Face) to automate workflows.

🔹 AI Agents for Small Businesses

Learn when and how to turn assistants into autonomous agents that work 24/7.

🔹 Open-Source AI Deep Dive

Install, customise, and self-host LLMs to avoid subscription traps and data leaks.

🔹 Security Bootcamp

Protect your business from AI-related risks (data breaches, phishing, hallucinations).

🔹 Peer Collaboration Sprint

Brainstorm AI solutions for real business challenges with fellow entrepreneurs.

Agenda

No strict schedule—just a flexible roadmap of what we’ll explore together

Morning Kickoff (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM-ish)☕ Warm-Up & Welcome

• Quick intro to the day’s vibe: “Let’s experiment, ask questions, and learn by doing!”
• Share your business challenge—what AI problem do you want to solve?

🧠 AI Foundations (flex time)

• Demystify LLMs: How they actually work (no jargon, promise).
• Prompt engineering playground: Start simple, then level up to ninja-mode prompts.
• Hands-on: Draft prompts for your business—marketing, customer service, or content.

🤖 Build Your AI Sidekick

• No-code tools demo: Create an AI assistant live (think social media automations or email templates).
• Your turn: Tweak tools like Make, Hugging Face, or AI Studio for your workflow.

Midday Break (11:30 AM – 11:45 AM)

• Coffee break and impromptu AI brainstorming with peers.

Deep Dives & Collaboration (11:45 AM – 1:00 PM)⚡ Agents vs. Assistants

• When to let AI work 24/7 (hello, autonomous agents!).
• Live experiment: Install/run open-source LLMs (bring your laptop—no pressure!).

🔒 Security Smackdown

• Block data leaks, phishing, and AI “hallucinations” (yes, that’s a real thing).
• Quick checklist: Protect your tools without hiring a hacker.

👥 Peer Power Hour

• Team up to troubleshoot AI ideas: “How can AI solve X for my business?”
• Live Q&A with Philip & Paul: Stump us with your trickiest AI questions.

Wrap-Up (1:00 PM)

• Resource grab: Templates, open-source tools, and security guides.
• Selfie time! Share your AI wins with the group.

3 Hour Evening Session

The timetable for the 3 hour evening session is similar to the 4 hour daytime session. We’ll adapt to the requirements of the attendees. Starting at 6pm.

Why This Works

• No rigid timetable: We’ll adapt to the group’s energy and questions.
• Jump in anywhere: Dive into open-source LLMs first or start with prompt design—it’s your call.
• Collaboration over lecture: Learn as much from peers as from instructors.

Who Should Attend?

👉 Small business owners drowning in manual tasks.

👉 Entrepreneurs eager to compete with AI-driven strategies.

👉 Anyone who wants to build and use AI solutions.

Meet Your Instructors

Philip Porter

AI Strategist & Founder of Shop Startup. Philip helps businesses adopt lean AI strategies to punch above their weight.

Paul Smith

IT Expert & Founder of Computer Computer Computer. Paul’s 12+ years in tech will guide you through secure, cost-effective AI implementation.

Event Details

📅 Dates:

4 Hour session (Daytime)

• Every 2nd Wednesday of the month (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM)

3 Hour session (Evening)

• Every last Wednesday of the month (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM)

📍 Venue:

The Pixton Room Canbury Works Units 6 & 7, Elm Cres, Kingston upon Thames KT2 6HJ

💻 Format:In-person, hands-on workshop. BYO device recommended.

Reserve Your Spot – FREE!

Seats limited for personalised guidance.

After the workshop:

• Access a resource kit with templates, open-source tools, and security checklists.
• Scan the QR code to donate—support future free workshops and community projects.

FAQs

❓ Do I need coding skills?

Nope! We’ll use no-code platforms and provide templates.

❓ What should I bring?

A laptop (optional) and a business problem you want to solve.

❓ Can’t attend live?

Register anyway—we’ll send resources.

🌟 AI is your superpower. Spend 4 hours to future-proof your business. 🌟

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#AIDeepDive #ShopStartup #ComputerComputerComputer #CrystaliserCollaborative