Free Hands-On Evening Workshop
Set up Claude to handle a real task in your business
For small business owners who want practical help, not AI theory. Bring a task, set up Claude around your business, and walk out with a system you can use and build on.
Free workshop
No ticket cost. Just reserve your seat.
Claude Pro required
Separate $20/mo Claude subscription used during the hands-on session.
Limited to 15 people
Small room, individual help, Asheville Chamber of Commerce.
After you register, we'll email setup steps, a Claude Pro signup link, and a short checklist for what to bring.
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 Claude — Anthropic's AI desktop app — as a personalized assistant that actually knows your business, your voice, and your priorities.
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 an overview of how to use Claude effectively — enough to get everyone on the same page and answer questions. Then we'll jump into personalizing Claude to your business. You'll write a few short descriptions of your business, your role, and how you communicate. Then you'll set up any necessary tools and hand Claude a real task — something you actually need done this week — and watch it go from generic to useful in real time, with help in the room.
1. Setup
Get Claude ready
Install the desktop app, confirm your account, and make sure everything works.
2. Personalize
Teach it your business
Add your role, voice, priorities, and the context Claude needs to sound useful.
3. Use it
Finish one real task
Work on your own email, summary, spreadsheet, or admin problem with help nearby.
4. Next steps
Decide if it's worth it
Leave knowing what to keep, what to ignore, and whether Claude earns its cost.
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 and a Claude Pro account. The workshop itself is free, but Claude Pro is a separate $20/mo subscription from Anthropic that you'll use during the hands-on portion of the evening. We'll send setup instructions ahead of time so you can arrive ready to work.
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 the best tool for this kind of work, so that's what we teach. But the techniques you'll learn apply broadly, and if you end up preferring ChatGPT, it's easy enough to switch later.
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 with Claude and you'll know exactly whether it's worth it. No one will pressure you either way.
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?
Just let us know so we can give your spot to someone on the waitlist. No hard feelings.
Register
Fill out the form below to reserve your spot. We'll send a confirmation email with Claude Pro setup instructions and a checklist for the workshop. The more detail you share, the better we can tailor the session.