Closing the AI Gap: Empowering Small Businesses with AIMM and a Powerful New Partnership

Apr 15

Introduction

Artificial Intelligence isn’t the future - it’s happening now. It’s transforming how we work, compete, and grow. Yet for many small business owners, entering the world of AI can feel overwhelming and unfamiliar.

A recent industry survey revealed that while 89% of larger enterprises have adopted some form of AI, only 23% of small businesses have begun their AI journey, despite the potential to reduce operational costs by up to 30%.

At Re|Mind Virtual Academy (RMVA), we believe that innovation should be accessible to every business, no matter its size. That’s why we’re proud to introduce a new initiative to help bridge the AI gap for small businesses: the AI Maturity Model (AIMM).

Developed in-house, AIMM is designed specifically with small businesses in mind. The initiative includes a ready-to-use AIMM template and an upcoming hands-on workshop to guide you through every step of your AI adoption journey

What is the AI Maturity Model (AIMM)?

The AI Maturity Model provides a clear, structured roadmap for small businesses looking to explore, adopt, and optimize AI. It takes the guesswork out of the process, guiding business owners through five key stages of AI development:

Awareness

Understand the basics of AI, its potential, and how it's already reshaping your industry.

Experimentation

Try out AI tools on a small scale, automate simple tasks, test AI chatbots, or explore free analytics tools.

Adoption

Begin integrating AI into your daily operations, like customer service, marketing, or inventory management.

Integration

Use data-driven AI insights to inform strategy and make smarter, faster business decisions.

Optimization

Make AI an embedded part of your business culture - agile, responsive, and always learning

Why Small Businesses Can't Afford to Wait

Many small business owners believe AI is only for large corporations, but that couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, AI can help small businesses punch above their weight by improving customer experience, reducing operational costs, and uncovering new growth opportunities.

  • Imagine a local retailer using an AI chatbot to provide 24/7 customer service
  • A family-owned restaurant predicting food demand to reduce waste and save money
  • A small marketing agency using AI to tailor campaigns more effectively

These aren't future scenarios, they're happening now. And RMVA's AI Maturity Model (AIMM) developed by Dean van der Byl is here to make those outcomes accessible to you.

Success Story: Main Street Boutique 

Lisa, owner of a small clothing boutique, implemented the AIMM process last quarter. Starting with just a simple AI-powered inventory management tool, she was able to reduce overstock by 22% and improve sales forecasting accuracy. "I was surprised at how quickly we saw returns," Lisa shares. "The initial setup took just a weekend, and now we're exploring AI for our social media marketing as well."

Introducing the AIMM Template: Your AI Starting Point

To help you hit the ground running, RMVA has created a free AIMM template, a practical tool to assess where your business currently stands on the AI maturity scale and what steps to take next.

Whether you're just curious about AI or ready to integrate tools into your workflow, this template offers a clear, actionable starting point.

Download the AIMM Template by April 30th and receive a complimentary 30% discount on our AIMM Workshop.

Thank you!

Coming Soon: AI for Small Business Workshop

To complement the template, we're launching an interactive workshop tailored specifically for small business owners on May 30th, 2025. Spaces are limited to ensure personalized attention.


This workshop will:
  • Break down AI concepts in simple, understandable language
  • Provide hands-on demonstrations of AI tools
  • Help you build a strategic AI plan for your business
  • Connect you with experts and other like-minded entrepreneurs

The goal? To demystify AI and empower you with the confidence and skills to use it, without requiring significant time or financial investment. Most participants implement their first AI solution within two weeks of the workshop.

Real-World Impact. Real Support.

At RMVA, we’re committed to providing more than just education, we’re building a community of forward-thinking business owners. Through real-world examples, easy-to-use tools, and expert-led conversations, we’re here to help you thrive in an AI-powered future.

Whether you're looking to boost efficiency, drive smarter decisions, or scale your operations, AI can be the edge you’ve been searching for and we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Let’s Build Smarter Businesses-Together

If you’re ready to bridge the AI gap and bring innovation into your everyday operations, now is the time. Download the AIMM template, sign up for our upcoming workshop, and join a growing network of small businesses using AI to fuel smarter, more sustainable growth.

If you are interested in register for the Upcoming Workshop, sign up below

Thank you!
Created with