The SMB AI Cohort
Four Tuesdays. Twelve owners. One room. Stop watching the AI conversation and start using it.
You're not behind. You just don't have time to figure this out.
You're running a real business. Payroll, customers, the next hire, the broken process you keep meaning to fix.
AI is everywhere, and you know it matters. But every article is either “this changes everything” or “here are 47 tools you should try.”
You don't need another newsletter. You don't need another webinar.
You need to sit in a room with other owners, work through your actual business, and leave with something you can use Monday morning.
That's what this is.
What this is
A working cohort, not a webinar.
Twelve SMB owners. Four Tuesday evenings. One room.
You bring a real pain point from your business. We work through it together — identify where AI fits, which tools are worth your time, and what to skip.
Each session ends with something tangible. A map of where AI lands in your operation. A tool you've actually used. An automation you've shipped. A 90-day roadmap.
No lectures. No vendor pitches. No “future of work” panels.
Is this for you?
This is for you if…
- ✓You own or run a business doing $500K–$20M in revenue
- ✓You've tried ChatGPT or Claude a few times — maybe more, maybe less
- ✓You're tired of watching the AI conversation from the sidelines
- ✓You'd rather be in a room with other operators than watch another video
- ✓You value moving forward over getting it perfect
Skip this if…
- —You're looking for a generic “intro to AI” lecture
- —You're a solopreneur without revenue or operating headaches
- —You want to be sold software
- —You're looking for someone to do it all for you (that's a different engagement — let's talk)
What we'll work through
Where AI actually fits in your business, and where it doesn't. The five-bucket framework. You leave with a one-page map of your highest-ROI opportunities.
The 10 AI tools worth knowing in 2026. Cost, what they do, when they're worth it, when they're not. Hands-on, with your real business as the test case.
Ship one real automation or workflow during the session. Custom GPTs, Zaps, prompt templates, email triage — whatever fits your top opportunity.
Build your 90-day AI roadmap. Learn how to evaluate new tools without chasing every shiny thing. Set the rhythm for ongoing progress.
You'll walk out with:
- ✓A clear map of where AI fits in your business
- ✓2–3 tools you've actually used (not just heard about)
- ✓One shipped automation or workflow
- ✓A 90-day AI roadmap
- ✓A peer network of 11 other owners going through the same thing
- ✓A direct line to me
Four Tuesday evenings. $197. Twelve seats. If you've been meaning to figure out AI for your business, this is the easiest version of doing that.
Who's running this
Tim Bursch is the founder of Next Climb Collective. He spent 20+ years building partnerships and go-to-market at B2B software companies including Khoros and Gridbase, where he built $5M+ in partner-sourced pipeline.
After his second layoff in under a year, he founded Next Climb Collective to help founders and SMB owners navigate change — through advisory work, cohorts, and community.
In the last 12 months, he's built more AI tools than most people have used. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife Heather, who runs her own business.
“Action creates clarity. The hardest part is starting. The second-hardest part is being in the right room.”
The details
When
4 Tuesdays in June: 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd 6:00 – 8:00 PM each session Doors open at 5:45
Where
Twin Cities NW Suburbs — exact venue confirmed at registration (Maple Grove / Plymouth / Golden Valley area)
What to bring
A laptop and one real business problem you want to work on. We provide coffee, snacks, notebooks, and the curriculum.
What it costs
$197 for the full 4-session series. Single sessions available at $75 (credited toward the full series if you join after Session 1).
Questions you might have
Twelve seats. June 2 starts soon.
You've been meaning to figure out AI for your business for six months. This is the easiest version of doing that.
Four Tuesday evenings. Twelve owners. A real working cohort with someone who'll actually answer your questions.
Questions? DM me on LinkedIn or email tim@nextclimbcollective.com