AI Resources for Entrepreneurs
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly practical tool for small business owners—helping them save time, make informed decisions, and compete more effectively in a fast-changing marketplace. When used thoughtfully, AI can support everything from marketing and customer communication to operations, research, and planning. This resource page is designed to help entrepreneurs understand what AI can (and can’t) do, and how to use it in ways that align with their goals, values, and capacity.
On this page, you’ll find guidance, articles, and tools curated specifically for small business owners, including insights written by our team of advisors who work directly with local entrepreneurs. Each item is categorized by knowledge level, so you’re able to explore at a pace that works for you. These resources focus on real-world applications, ethical considerations, and practical next steps for business owners of any stage and any industry. Our goal is to help you use AI wisely, responsibly, and in ways that strengthen your business rather than complicate it.
Getting Started with AI
Foundational concepts and beginner-friendly ways to explore AI tools.
Finding the Best Model for You
Ever wonder which AI Model you should be using for a specific task? Which tool is best for coding? Image generation? Financial Analysis?
OpenRouter.ai is a site that closely tracks utilization of models by specific tasks. Their site details exactly which LLM is falling in and out of favor over time. Seeing how models leapfrog one another, enter the market on top, fizzle out and rebound is both entertaining and useful as you select which model to employ for your current tasks. Checking out their rankings can help you become aware of new models and save you tons of research time in selecting a model.
Creating Prompts
A prompt is simply the instructions you give to an AI tool. The secret to creating a high-level prompt is giving the AI robust and relevant background information and making sure that it fully understands the credentials you would like for the AI to possess.
If you want AI to think more like a seasoned consultant and less like a search bar, this guide is for you. Learn how to level up your prompts and get results that actually move your business forward.
Sample GPTs
Our office has written a GPT that is intended to help businesses develop a marketing plan, customer personas and insights around reaching your intended audience. To explore this tool, follow the link below and click the “Start” button to kick it off. The GPT will ask you a number of questions and will then create a personalized plan based on your responses.
While the GPT can give you some structure and uncover some key insights, it is’t all-encompassing. Discussing the GPT plan results with your SBDC advisor can help finalize a “production ready” plan. Our office has several other GPTs we use during live sessions which can help accelerate key business-building components.