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 practical steps to understand your business, identify the highest-value opportunities and implement the right AI solutions and workflow improvements — 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 identify and prioritize opportunities based on business impact, effort, and return on investment. Together, we choose quick wins that build toward your larger goals, resulting in 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, refine & amplify
We go live, train your team, and track measurable results. We review what’s working, refine what isn’t, and amplify the solutions that create the greatest value. Depending on your engagement, 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. Throughout Douglas’s 30+ year career, one theme has remained constant: a deep curiosity about how businesses operate and how complex challenges can be transformed into clear, repeatable systems. That journey has included co-founding The Princeton Review of Japan, producing films with Sundance and Lionsgate, earning an MBA from UCLA, closing more than $50 million in real estate transactions, and helping clients navigate complex financial and insurance decisions.
Today, Douglas helps founder-led businesses work more effectively without losing what makes them unique. Using the Marsten Method™, we listen first, identify the highest-value opportunities, and implement the right combination of AI solutions and workflow improvements, guided by sound business strategy. Every engagement includes human oversight, clear guardrails, and measurable results. Then we continue refining what works so your business can grow with greater clarity, consistency, and confidence.
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.
✩
Complimentary AI Strategy Session
(15-minute session)
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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 business 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 business priorities)
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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:
Strategic AI Partnership
(end‑to‑end business improvement)
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Leaders who want to improve how their business works through a long-term strategic AI partnership.
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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?
Take 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. We begin by understanding how your business works, then identify where AI, workflow improvements, or other changes will create the most value. Every solution is designed to fit your business, not force your business to fit the technology.
How can AI actually help my business day to day?
Most founder-led businesses spend too much time on repetitive work, follow-up, communication, and coordination. The right combination of AI and better workflows can reduce that workload, improve consistency, and free you to focus on clients, strategy, and growth.
Do I need custom AI, or can I just use existing tools?
Every business is different. The right solution is usually a combination of AI, existing tools, and workflows designed around how your business actually operates. The goal is to make the technology fit your business, not your business fit the technology.
How do you make sure everything stays accurate and under control?
Every solution is designed with human oversight. You review and approve important decisions, communications, and published content. The goal is to improve efficiency while keeping your judgment, voice, and control.
What kinds of things can you build with AI?
Solutions can include business helpers, proposal drafting, internal knowledge systems, client communication support, workflow automation, and AI-assisted processes. Every solution is tailored to your business goals to reduce friction, improve consistency, and help your business operate more effectively.