If you run a founder-led business and want work to move faster without losing your personal touch, you’re in the right place.
why AI? why now?
AI can give you time back, reduce costly mistakes, and help you scale without losing what makes your business unique. marsten.ai begins by understanding how your business works, then recommends and implements the solution that delivers the most value.
Save money
Cut waste from unused tools and manual processes. Spend your resources on growth, not repetitive work.
Save time
We map and streamline your workflows, then automate repetitive tasks where it makes sense, 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 design and implement the right AI solutions and workflow improvements for your business, tailored to your voice, your workflows, and your goals, so work moves faster without losing what makes you unique.
Let us help you…
Create custom solutions for your specific workflow challenges.
Automate busywork like 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.
the marsten method™
Four steps to identify and implement the right AI solutions and workflow improvements for your business — no course required.
listen first
We start by learning how your business really works. Together, we identify your goals, review your workflows, understand your constraints, and capture your unique voice so we can recommend the solutions that will create the most value 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 the right solution
We implement the highest-value solution for your business, from AI helpers and workflow automation to smarter processes and better use of your existing software, always with human oversight.
Deliverables:
Working Solution
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 human-first, privacy-first AI partner led by Douglas Hunter. The throughline in Douglas’s 30+ years is a deep curiosity about how businesses tick and a knack for turning insight into clear, repeatable systems. That path took him from co-founding The Princeton Review of Japan and producing films with Sundance and Lionsgate, to earning an MBA from UCLA, closing $50M+ in real estate deals, and guiding clients through complex financial and insurance decisions.
Today he tunes AI to each founder’s unique frequency so teams move faster without losing their human voice. Using the marsten method™, we listen first, map quick wins, and then build the right solution in your voice, all with human review, clear guardrails, and simple metrics. Then we keep tuning what works.
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)
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A 15‑minute video call, and a short recap with your Fit Score and recommended next step.
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problem clarity, tool/data access, and decision readiness.
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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.
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Your recommendation will point to one of our three tiers.
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15 minutes
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complimentary
✶
TIER 1:
Focused AI Assessment
(1–2 priorities)
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Teams wanting a small, targeted proof that shows value quickly.
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Brief analysis and 1–2 stakeholder interviews
A targeted micro‑build (up to 3 hours of build or one copilot, whichever comes first)
Implementation and a follow‑up enablement session
A 2–3 page brief with SOP notes/screenshots and simple success metrics
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Clarity on where AI fits now; one practical copilot shipped when feasible; a short plan for the next 30–60 days.
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2–5 hours per week for 1–2 people.
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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 copilots)
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Teams ready to move from one win to a system of wins.
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Reply‑in‑your‑voice; meeting‑to‑actions and follow‑ups; intake triage or FAQ copilot; simple routing/logging.
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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
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Shorter response cycles, fewer manual touches, measurable hour savings and faster throughput
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5–15 hours per week across the team.
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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
✹
TIER 3:
Professional Program
(end‑to‑end streamlining)
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Leaders who want consistent, cross‑team gains with light governance.
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Discovery and change plan
Up to 6 production‑grade copilots 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
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A repeatable way to identify wins, ship them, train people, and measure results. Includes quarterly scorecard and rollout playbook so improvements persist beyond delivery.
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20–40 hours per week across the team, plus faster cycle times.
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At $50/hour,
25 hours/week saved
≈ $5,000/month. -
12-14 weeks on average
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From $15,400
50/25/25 milestone billing
(kickoff / mid‑sprint / handoff).Add‑ons:
Extra copilots 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)
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Use these when a project needs more effort, extra safety, or faster timing than the base scope.
• Complexity (multiple systems, custom code, advanced search): +20–40%
• Security/compliance (personal data, privacy reviews, extra logging): +15–25%
• Rush (start within 7 days or reviews under 48 hours): +10–25%
• Larger teams (training >10 people or >2 teams): +10–20%
• Data cleanup (more than 2 hours of cleaning/labeling): $200–$300/hr, or quoted as a small add-on
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• Two rounds of changes per deliverable are included; more uses a quick change order
• We start after we have access to your tools, accounts, and sample data
• Typical timelines: Tier 1, 1–2 weeks; Tier 2, 4–6 weeks; Tier 3, 12–14 weeks
• Scheduling is through one booking link; times shown are in Hawaii time
Not sure which tier fits?
Try the 90-second AI Readiness Check.
common questions
What does AI consulting look like for a founder-led business?
AI consulting should be practical, not overwhelming. I help founder-led creative and professional service businesses identify where AI can save time, reduce repetitive work, and improve follow-through, then build simple systems that fit how the business already operates.
How can AI actually help my business day to day?
Most founder-led businesses spend a lot of time on follow-up, communication, and coordination. AI can help reduce that workload, improve consistency, and free up time so you can focus on higher-value work and decisions.
Do I need custom AI, or can I just use existing tools?
In many cases, tools alone are not enough because they are not set up around how your business actually runs. I help configure simple, practical systems that fit your workflows so the tools become useful instead of overwhelming.
How do you make sure everything stays accurate and under control?
Everything is designed to stay human-in-the-loop. Nothing sends or publishes automatically, and you always review and approve outputs. The goal is to increase efficiency without losing judgment or voice.
What kinds of things can you build with AI?
Examples include follow-up assistants, proposal drafting, internal knowledge tools, client communication support, and workflow automation for recurring tasks. The focus is always on practical improvements that save time and reduce friction.