A veteran IT project leader rebuilt a small business around AI tools
A one-person business run on GPT, Airtable, TANA and automation, mapped out on a hand-drawn vision board.
After 16 years leading large IT projects, this consultant set out to run their own small business the way they advise others to: lean, structured and powered by AI. Their project is a working model of that idea, from a central Airtable command centre to a wall-sized vision board. It shows what walking the talk can look like when you turn your own expertise into a system.
R
Ramona Winiger
Consultant, mentor and former IT project manager with 16 years in IT, telecom and banking projects.
Before
They spent 16 years managing IT projects of up to €10 million, leading teams of 75 and training hundreds of employees. In 2021 they founded their own business to help small companies thrive in the age of AI. The challenge was to live by those principles themselves, with many separate tools and a lot of administrative work.
“Walking the Talk" isn't just a category— for me, it's my philosophy.”
In their own words
The turning point
They began integrating their tools step by step into one framework instead of using them in isolation. Real-world testing with Airtable and TANA showed them the value of modular systems. They also made a physical vision board, a tactile anchor for the project's purpose and goals.
“Automated workflows have dramatically reduced administrative tasks, freeing time for strategic initiatives.”
In their own words
After
Today Airtable serves as the command centre for KPIs, knowledge, marketing and customer management, while TANA holds their knowledge system. Custom GPTs, Make.com and Flowise automate protocols, content and research. They are now drawing these pieces together into one overall picture they call AI for WinCo 2025.
What it lets people do
The project offers small businesses a replicable model of how AI tools can carry everyday operations. Automation frees time from administration for strategy and for real conversations with clients.
What they learned
They learned that systems grow best in small, tested steps. And they came to see that technology works best when it stays in service of human connection and purpose.
“Through my "AI for WinCo 2025" project, I am setting a precedent for small businesses: that innovation doesn't mean losing humanity.”
In their own words
See the work
Hand-drawn AI4WINCO 2025 vision board mapping every business area
Since founding my business in 2021, I've been committed to embodying the principles I teach. From the outset, my goal was to build a lean, efficient, and scalable company that integrates cutting-edge technologies like GPT, Airtable, and TANA and empowers small businesses to thrive in the age of AI. Drawing on 16 years of experience managing IT projects of up to €10 million, leading teams of 75, and training hundreds of employees, I am on a mission to create a sustainable platform that connects structure, innovation, and humanity. With 'AI for WinCo 2025,' I'm not just exploring possibilities—I'm living them.
Achievements
What Makes 'AI for WinCo 2025' Stand Out?
1. Technological Mastery: Seamlessly integrating diverse AI tools as the backbone of my business.
2. Long-Term Vision: Aiming to transcend short-term goals by creating a transformative platform that evolves with new advancements.
3. Innovative Knowledge Management: Building systems that organize and leverage insights beyond conventional approaches.
4. People-Centric Approach: Balancing cutting-edge technology with personalized, meaningful interactions that keep human connection at the forefront.
Technology and Tools
A carefully selected ecosystem of tools supports this project:
- GPT, Custom GPTs, and Fine-Tuning: Automating protocols, content creation, and research processes. These tools are adapted to reflect my experience in consulting and leading complex IT, telecom, and banking projects.
- Airtable: The centralized command centre for KPI tracking, knowledge management, marketing, customer management, prototyping, application/license management, and upcoming areas like finance and strategy benchmarking.
- TANA: Creating a dynamic knowledge management system to store, retrieve, and strategize around insights and data.
- Make.com & Flowise: Automating workflows to enhance productivity, ideate new offerings, and streamline operations.
- Personalized LLMs: Guaranteeing data security for sensitive information such as client records and financial data.
- Additional Tools: Canva, Descript, Perplexity, MentorTool, Landing-Page Builders, and others, all aligned for maximum efficiency. Current development efforts focus on streamlining these tools into a cohesive framework.
Methodology
1. Holistic Approach: Gradual integration of all tools into a unified framework, ensuring seamless alignment between technologies and processes.
2. Customer-Centric Value: Developing trust-building lead magnets that glimpse the seamless, personalized collaboration customers can expect. The aim is to inspire and empower others to think, "I want that too!"
3. Vision Board: A physical, tactile tool serving as a daily source of motivation and clarity, anchoring the project's purpose and goals.
4. Community Building: Leveraging AI and social media to attract aligned clients while establishing a strong, authentic brand identity.
Learnings
1. Iterative Optimization: Real-world implementation of tools like Airtable and TANA revealed the value of modular systems and the critical importance of testing.
2. Streamlined Efficiency: Automated workflows have dramatically reduced administrative tasks, freeing time for strategic initiatives.
3. Balancing Humanity with Technology: While technology powers innovation, tools like the Vision Board remind us of the importance of human connection and purpose in everything we do.
Final Message:
"Walking the Talk" isn't just a category— for me, it's my philosophy. During my work as a consultant, mentor, and leader, I have learned about my customers' fears, challenges, and great work. My project here is many things:
- Insights from working with my clients
- Implementing, testing, fine-tuning and optimising small sub-steps
- now summarise the whole thing into a big overall picture.
Through my "AI for WinCo 2025" project, I am setting a precedent for small businesses: that innovation doesn't mean losing humanity. By seamlessly integrating technology with purpose, this project provides a replicable model for scalable success in a rapidly evolving digital age. My work proves that AI isn't just a tool—it's a bridge to a better, more connected way of working and living.
URL Video: https://www.loom.com/share/a2f69d53785a43f48648ce986babdd8a?sid=5f146397-abf9-4fa2-ab26-2d26fa11c145
Written 21 January 2025·Submitted by the storyteller
