Under $2M in revenue, your constraint is almost never technology sophistication. It is hours and price. Most AI consulting proposals aimed at this segment solve neither, because they are scaled down versions of mid market projects.
What actually moves the needle at this size
- Pricing correction. Usually the single largest available gain, and it costs nothing to implement.
- Quoting speed. Faster quotes win more work at the same rate.
- Recovering admin hours. Review replies, job notes, invoice follow ups.
- Decision support. Removing the two week delay on calls you keep postponing.
What is not worth it yet
- Custom model work of any kind.
- Data warehouse projects. You have a POS and a spreadsheet, and that is fine.
- Any engagement priced above one month of your net profit.
- Chatbots on your website before you have enough traffic for them to matter.
The afternoon version
Pick your worst recurring time sink, configure one off the shelf tool for it, and give it two weeks. Then look at your effective rate and fix the pricing gap. Those two moves outperform most five figure proposals, and you can start today.
If you want a structured way to evaluate the tools themselves, read how to evaluate AI tools for your shop.
Try it on the decision in front of you
Bring the thing you are actually stuck on. You will get a grounded answer with real numbers and a next step, not a discovery call. Start a 7-day free trial or see pricing.