AVL Digital Nomads Workshop
Give AI a real job in your business
For business owners, operators, and team leads who want practical help, not AI theory. Bring your laptop and one task you keep redoing. In one evening, we'll move from asking AI questions to setting up a working project that can help with real work.
RSVP on Meetup
Registration is handled by AVL Digital Nomads.
Paid AI account
Bring a paid Anthropic or OpenAI account so you can work hands-on.
Bring one real task
Pick something tedious you keep redoing and want help handing off.
This event is listed through AVL Digital Nomads. Use the Meetup page for registration and event updates.
You've probably tried AI a few times — asked ChatGPT something, got a generic answer, thought "that's neat I guess," and went back to doing things the way you always have. This workshop is different. In one evening, you'll set up a project around your business, your voice, and your priorities so AI has enough context to help with a real task.
Bring a task like one of these — or whatever you keep putting off
Repetitive emails
Follow-ups, intros, appointment confirmations — the structure is always the same but each one still takes five minutes to write.
Moving data around
Copying numbers from invoices into spreadsheets, pulling details from emails into a tracker, reformatting exports so they work somewhere else.
Turning a pile into a summary
A week of emails, a folder of client notes, a stack of receipts — the information is in there, you just don't have time to go through it all.
What we'll do
We'll start with the chatbot-to-co-worker progression: what changes when AI has context, tools, and a specific job. Then we'll jump into setting up your working project. You'll add business context, connect one useful tool if it fits your workflow, and hand AI a real task from your week.
1. Setup
Get Claude ready
Open the AI tool you're using, confirm your paid account, and make sure your laptop is ready.
2. Personalize
Teach it your business
Add your role, voice, priorities, and the context AI needs to be useful.
3. Use it
Finish one real task
Work on your own email, summary, report, spreadsheet, or admin problem with help nearby.
4. Next steps
Decide if it's worth it
Leave with a short list of what to automate next and what to leave alone for now.
What you'll leave with
- — An AI assistant set up and personalized to your business
- — A real task completed (not a hypothetical exercise)
- — A clear sense of whether this is worth your time going forward
What you don't need
- — Technical skills — if you can write an email, you can do this
- — Hours of free time — bring a laptop and one task you're tired of doing manually
- — Prior AI experience — we start from scratch
What to bring
A laptop, a paid Anthropic or OpenAI account, and one tedious task you keep redoing. A recurring follow-up email, a messy folder of receipts, or a weekly report are all fair game.
Your instructor
Julio Barros runs E-String, an Asheville-based consultancy that helps small businesses integrate AI into their daily operations. He uses Claude every day in his own consulting work and has spent 20+ years turning complex technology into practical tools for business owners.
Common questions
What if I already use ChatGPT?
Great — you'll have some context for how AI works. We currently think Claude is especially strong for this kind of work, but the techniques apply broadly. Bring a paid Anthropic or OpenAI account so you can work hands-on during the session.
Do I need to keep paying $20/mo after the workshop?
That's up to you. By the end of the evening you'll have completed a real task and you'll have a clearer sense of whether the paid account earns its keep for your business.
Can I bring a Chromebook or tablet?
You'll need a Mac or Windows laptop. Claude's desktop app doesn't run on Chromebooks or tablets, and the desktop app is what makes the personalization work.
What if I can't make it after I register?
Manage your RSVP through the AVL Digital Nomads Meetup page so they have the current attendee count.
“This workshop was amazing! Many of us saw huge capabilities we never knew were possible. So insightful! One participant saved 20 hours of work in about 30 minutes!”
“Julio’s presentation was very helpful and well structured. I appreciated the step by step approach and the time to apply each part in real time. It made the material easy to follow and immediately useful. Being able to ask questions throughout added a lot. I’m so excited to get started on my projects!”
“Thank you so much for such an engaging workshop! I appreciated your practical approach and clear examples. It was energizing to be in a room with other local business owners exploring AI, and I now feel more hopeful than overwhelmed. One big takeaway is that spending even just a bit of time every day chipping away at the possibilities is invaluable.”
“Last night’s session was one of the most practical and digestible of the AI workshops and edu courses I’ve attended. Very much appreciated!”
“It was really helpful to think through the automation completely — as if I was training a team member on the steps — then plug that into Claude. This was really helpful, Julio! I’m grateful to you for offering this workshop.”
Registration
RSVP through AVL Digital Nomads
The June 10 workshop is hosted by AVL Digital Nomads, so registration and attendee updates are handled on Meetup.
Open the Meetup page