why AI? why now?
If you run a small or mid-sized business and want to move faster without losing your personal touch, you’re in the right place.
marsten.ai gives you time back, reduces costly mistakes, and helps you scale without losing what makes your business unique. No need to take a class—just get results.
Save money
Cut waste from unused tools and manual processes. Spend your budget on growth, not repetitive work.
Save time
We map your workflows and automate the repetitive tasks eating your hours, so you can focus on what only you can do.
Reduce risk
Built-in safeguards and simple checks catch errors before they reach customers.
Stand out from competitors
Consistent quality and faster turnarounds strengthen your reputation without adding headcount.
Hi, we’re marsten.ai
We listen first, then build custom AI helpers tuned to your voice and workflows—so work moves faster without losing what makes you unique.
Let us help you…
Automate busywork—notes, follow-ups, formatting
Draft customer communications in your voice
Build processes and checks that reduce errors
Connect your tools so data flows without manual handoffs
Create custom solutions for your specific workflow challenges
the marsten method™
Four steps to custom AI that works the way you do—no course required.
Listen
First
We sit with you and watch how work really gets done—calls, docs, inbox, and handoffs. We capture your goals, constraints, and voice so we know what “good” looks like for your business.
Deliverable:
One-Page Clarity Brief
Map & Prioritize
We score opportunities by impact vs. effort and pick quick wins that build toward bigger goals. You’ll get a clear action plan with priorities and next steps.
Deliverable:
Action Map
Build your Copilot
We create custom AI tools that sound like you and handle work at any complexity level—from simple drafts to multi-step workflows—with built-in guardrails and human oversight.
Deliverables:
Working Prototype
Voice & Style Pack
Launch & Amplify
We go live, train your team, and track measurable results. We review what’s working, refine what isn’t, and help you scale the winners. Depending on your tier, we provide ongoing tune-ups to keep improving performance.
Deliverables:
Rollout Playbook
Live Performance Scorecard
clients are saying…
“Douglas actually listens. He zeroed in on what I needed, built tools I use every week, and streamlined my process—then walked me through it live. Communication was clear, replies were fast, and pricing was fair—practical AI that truly gets used. I got more value from our sessions than from other proposals, and I’d recommend him to any small business owner who wants results without fluff.”
— Joseph W.
“marsten.ai made the whole process calm and clear. He translated needs into focused AI helpers, kept everything human-approved and privacy-conscious, and showed us exactly how to run it. Communication was plain English, response time was quick, and the changes reduced busywork while improving follow-through. If you want AI that fits real life, talk to him.”
— Marianne L.
“Douglas helps us cut through the mystery and pitfalls of AI. He is calm, reliable, and respectful of time. The result is clearer decisions and less busywork.”
— Graeme H.
about marsten.ai
marsten.ai is a hands-on AI partner led by Douglas Hunter. Douglas has built trust across diverse industries—from co-founding The Princeton Review of Japan and producing a Sundance film to guiding families through complex Medicare and insurance decisions and closing $50M+ in real estate deals. Whether it’s startups, entertainment, finance, insurance, or technology, he listens first and delivers solutions people actually use.
We listen first, then build only what moves the needle. Using the marsten method™, we identify quick wins, create custom AI tools that match your voice, and deploy with human oversight and clear metrics so you see ROI immediately. Plain English, practical solutions, measurable outcomes—so you can scale without losing what makes your business unique.
services & pricing
From First Win to Scaled Impact. Clear, outcome‑driven options. We begin with a quick fit check, then select the optimal path based on your goals and data readiness.
✩
INTRO:
15‑minute Fit Call (complimentary)
-
A 15‑minute video call, and a short recap with your Fit Score and recommended next step.
-
problem clarity, tool/data access, and decision readiness.
-
You'll get a quick recap with your fit score, the most sensible next step (focused assessment, capability sprint, or professional program), and an estimated price band.
-
Your recommendation will point to one of our three tiers.
-
15 minutes
-
complimentary
✶
TIER 1:
Focused AI Assessment
(1–2 priorities)
-
Teams wanting a small, targeted proof that shows value quickly.
-
Brief analysis and 1–2 stakeholder interviews
A targeted micro‑build (up to 3 hours of build or one helper, whichever comes first)
Implementation and a follow‑up enablement session
A 2–3 page brief with SOP notes/screenshots and simple success metrics
-
Clarity on where AI fits now; one practical helper shipped when feasible; a short plan for the next 30–60 days.
-
2–5 hours per week for 1–2 people.
-
At $50/hour,
3 hours/week saved
≈ $600/month -
1-2 weeks
(standard delivery window) -
From $2,480
(50% to start, 50% on delivery)
✷
TIER 2:
AI Capability Sprint
(3–4 practical helpers)
-
Teams ready to move from one win to a system of wins.
-
Reply‑in‑your‑voice; meeting‑to‑actions and follow‑ups; intake triage or FAQ copilot; simple routing/logging.
-
4–6 weeks of delivery
Weekly working session + mid‑week async progress
3–4 working copilots delivered
SOPs for each copilot + team training session
Admin handoff kit + success metrics dashboard
-
Shorter response cycles, fewer manual touches, measurable hour savings and faster throughput
-
5–15 hours per week across the team.
-
At $50/hour,
10 hours/week saved
≈ $2,000/month -
4–6 weeks
(standard delivery window) -
From $7,560
50/25/25 milestone billing
(kickoff / mid‑sprint / handoff).14‑Day Warranty for bug fixes on delivered helpers within original scope
Not sure which tier fits?
Try the 90-second AI Readiness Check.
✹
TIER 3:
Professional Program
(end‑to‑end streamlining)
-
Leaders who want consistent, cross‑team gains with light governance.
-
Discovery and change plan
Up to 6 production‑grade helpers in base
Consent/governance language (data handling statement, prompt logging policy, human‑in‑the‑loop checkpoints)
Enablement library + 90‑day measurement and tune‑ups
Executive updates every two weeks
-
A repeatable way to identify wins, ship them, train people, and measure results. Includes quarterly scorecard and rollout playbook so improvements persist beyond delivery.
-
20–40 hours per week across the team, plus faster cycle times.
-
At $50/hour,
25 hours/week saved
≈ $5,000/month. -
12-14 weeks on average
-
From $15,400
50/25/25 milestone billing
(kickoff / mid‑sprint / handoff).Add‑ons:
Extra helpers beyond 6: $1,240–$2,480 each depending on complexity
Optional fractional AI CTO: $3,980/month (backlog steering, vendor coordination, quarterly roadmap, measurement reviews)
✺
Simple Pricing Levers
(when scope or risk increases)
-
Complexity (APIs, embeddings/RAG, multi‑system auth): +20–40%
Security/Compliance (PII handling, DPA reviews, SOC‑aligned logging): +15–25%
Speed (start <7 days or <48h reviews): +10–25% rush
Team size (training >10 users or >2 stakeholder teams): +10–20%
Data wrangling (>2 hrs cleaning/labeling): billed at $200–$300/hr or packaged as a mini‑deliverable
-
Two iteration rounds per item are included; beyond scope uses a simple change order.
Requires timely access to tools, accounts, and sample data before build hours start.
Standard delivery windows:
Tier 1 (1–2 weeks),
Tier 2 (4–6 weeks),
Tier 3 (12–14 weeks).HST applies where relevant. Scheduling via a single booking link.