A starting point you can actually use
Most "AI advice" is generic. The call ends with a specific list of where AI fits in your business, ranked by leverage, with the single highest-value move spelled out for the next 30 days.
Foundation Call
30 minutes. $249. Figure out where AI fits in your business.
For owners who don't know where to start with AI — or who do, and want a vendor-neutral second opinion before committing. Pay, schedule, talk. The booking link is in your inbox the moment payment clears.
Pay $249 — Book a Foundation Call30 minutes · $249 · instant booking link
02 · What you walk away with
Four things, after 30 minutes.
A map of your AI options
Free tools you should already be using, paid tools worth evaluating, vendor categories that matter for your industry, and the 80% you can ignore. Sized to your business — not a Fortune 500 playbook.
Vendor-neutral feedback (if you need it)
Already evaluating a pitch or a build? Bring it. We'll tell you what holds up and what's marketing. Zero affiliate relationships, zero kickbacks.
Honest answers
If your situation doesn't need our help right now, we'll tell you that and point you to a free resource. If it does, we'll tell you which engagement fits. No upsell theater.
03 · How it works
Three steps, no friction.
Pay $249
One-time payment via Stripe. The receipt and booking link are emailed instantly.
Pick a 30-minute slot
Click the link in your confirmation email. Choose a time that works in the next 1–2 weeks.
On the call
Tell us about your business. Maybe you have no idea where AI fits, or maybe you already have a vendor pitch on the desk — we meet you where you are and end with a clear next step.
04 · Who this is for
A 30-minute call is the right fit when…
This is for you if
- You've been hearing about AI for years and finally want to figure out where it fits in your business.
- You want someone to map AI to your specific situation — not hand you another generic playbook.
- You're ready to start exploring but want help finding the right entry point before you spend money.
- You've been told you "should be doing AI" and want to talk it through with someone who isn't selling a tool.
- You have a vendor pitch on your desk and want a vendor-neutral sanity check before committing.
- You've made one AI bet that didn't pan out and want the next move to be different.
This isn't for you if
- You're looking for free advice. The price is a deliberate filter.
- You want a 60-minute deep dive (this is a triage call — Counsel or an Audit fits better).
- You want a pitch deck or a vendor recommendation list.
05 · Who runs the call
Gus Skarlis. 25 years in software. 800+ AI implementations.
I run PushButton AI — the team behind the AI Foundation Framework, AI Counsel, and the industry blueprint library. The Foundation Call is the same triage methodology we use on $5K Foundation engagements with operating businesses, compressed to 30 minutes — whether you're trying to figure out where to start or already in the middle of a vendor decision.
The reason this is $249 instead of free: pricing the call is the filter. Anyone willing to spend $249 for a 30-minute call is serious about figuring something out, not just collecting information. We can skip the warm-up and get to the answer.
06 · Questions
Everything people ask before paying.
I don't really know where AI fits in my business yet. Is this still a fit?
Yes — that's the most common starting point. We don't expect you to come in with a problem statement. Tell us about your business, what you've been hearing about AI, what's making you curious or anxious, and we'll map it back to specific moves that make sense for your situation. The "I don't know where to start" visitor is exactly who this call was built for.
How is this different from the AI Audit?
The Audit is the Foundation Call plus a 48-hour written report and 30/60/90-day roadmap. Same price, different deliverable. If you want something to share with your team or board, take the Audit. If you want a fast triage and clear next step, the Foundation Call is the right fit.
Why $249? It used to be free.
Free calls attracted a lot of "just exploring" conversations that didn't go anywhere for either side. Pricing it at $249 means everyone on the call is serious about a decision. The conversation gets to the real problem in minutes instead of half an hour.
How long does it take to schedule after I pay?
Booking link arrives in your inbox within minutes of payment. You pick a 30-minute slot directly. Most calls happen within 3–7 days of purchase.
Refund policy?
Full refund within 24 hours of purchase if you change your mind. After the call, refunds are handled on a case-by-case basis — we'd rather you not feel stuck.
Who runs the call?
Gus Skarlis. 25 years in software, 800+ AI implementations across operating businesses. The call is run by someone who has actually shipped AI in production, not a sales rep with a slide deck.
Do you sell AI tools or work for any vendors?
No. Zero affiliate relationships, zero kickbacks, zero resale agreements. The entire business depends on giving you advice that's independent of any vendor outcome.
Ready when you are
Pay $249. Pick a slot. Talk in 30 minutes.
Whether you're starting from scratch or already mid-decision, we'll meet you where you are. Booking link arrives in your inbox within minutes of payment.
Pay $249 — Book a Foundation Call30 minutes · secure Stripe checkout · 24-hour refund window