Before we build.

01 · About 5 minutes

Choose something small enough to try.

Pick a project connected to a skill, interest, or problem you understand. You can change your mind after orientation.

Write one sentence: “I want to help [a specific person] do [one useful thing] with [a small resource, service page, or tool].”

No idea yet? List three tasks people already ask you for help with. Bring that list. If you have an existing project, choose one unfinished page or workflow to improve.

02 · About 5 minutes

Bring a little evidence.

Find one real question, request, or frustration from your experience or a public discussion. Save the source link and a short note in your own words. Then find one example of how people solve the problem today.

• Who experiences the problem, and when?
• What do they currently do instead?
• What do you know firsthand, and what are you guessing?

You are gathering clues, not proving demand in five minutes. AI can help organize your notes and suggest questions; generated answers do not establish what customers want. If you already know someone relevant, note a question you could ask them later.

03 · About 5 minutes

Define your first version.

Finish this sentence: “I’ll know I’ve made progress when someone can…”

For example: use a one-page checklist, understand your service and next step, or enter sample numbers and get a useful result from a calculator.

• Choose one main action and no more than three essential elements.
• Write down what can wait: a full brand system, many pages, memberships, payment processing, or a complex app.
• Think of one person who could try your draft between Mondays.

The workshop supports a first draft or prototype. How far you get will depend on your scope, starting point, and practice time. Use the free project planner if you want help organizing your idea.

04 · About 5 minutes

Check the essentials. Bring the rest to orientation.

• Have a laptop, charger, reliable internet, and a working browser ready.
• Make sure you can access the email you used to register.
• Try Zoom’s test meeting to check your connection and audio. Camera-off participation is welcome.
• If you already use an AI assistant, check that you can sign in. Note the account you use; do not share your password.
• If installation or account access is blocked, write down the issue and bring it to orientation.

You do not need to buy a collection of subscriptions to prepare. You can watch the demonstrations without buying software. For hands-on work, we’ll help you choose a setup that fits your project and budget. A custom domain and optional creative tools can wait. Review the tools and costs before choosing paid plans.

Coding tools, hosting, databases, and project connections can be worked through at orientation if your project needs them. Bring a monthly budget you are comfortable with, including $0, and any questions about usage charges. Only install tools where you have permission.

05 · About 5 minutes

Arrive with one question.

Save your notes in one folder with a name you’ll recognize. Add one link, draft, or screenshot that helps explain your idea, if you have one.

• What do you most want to understand about using AI?
• Where do you feel stuck: choosing, planning, designing, building, testing, or marketing?
• What would make this workshop useful for you?

Bring your question live, or optionally email Ashley a short question. A sentence or two is enough. Keep passwords, API keys, private customer records, and other sensitive information out of prompts, screenshots, and shared materials.