AI Engineering · Charlotte NC
AI Engineering & Automation
We build AI automations, custom agents, and workflow solutions that remove repetitive work and create real leverage — plus software prototypes when you need to ship something new.
Built personally by Chris Short — Anthropic-first stack, no outsourcing, direct access from day one.
Our Stack
AI Engineering Stack
Anthropic-first. We build deepest with Claude — and pull in the best tools from Google and OpenAI where they earn it.
Research & Intelligence
Dev & Prototyping Tools
App Stack & Infrastructure
Qualification
If Any of These Sound Familiar, We Should Talk
You spend hours on tasks that feel like they should run themselves
You're using AI tools ad hoc but nothing is connected or consistent
You want a custom AI solution but don't know where to start or who to trust
Your team has AI curiosity but no structure — different tools, no shared process
You have a software idea but need a working prototype fast, not a 12-month project
You operate in Charlotte's banking, healthcare, real estate, or professional services sector and competitors are moving on AI faster than you
Services
What We Actually Build
75% AI engineering — automations, agents, integrations, and skills. 25% custom software when you need something that doesn't exist yet.
AI Workflow Automation
Map your current workflows, identify high-leverage automation targets, and build AI-powered systems that run the repetitive work so your team can focus on what matters.
- ✓Client intake, qualification & follow-up pipelines
- ✓Proposal, contract & document generation
- ✓Email triage, drafting & scheduling coordination
- ✓Social content and report generation pipelines
AI Agent Development
Custom AI agents built on Claude API that go beyond chatbots — agents that take action, use tools, access your data, and complete multi-step tasks autonomously.
- ✓Internal knowledge base & Q&A agents
- ✓Customer support deflection agents
- ✓Research, analysis & summarization agents
- ✓Multi-step agentic workflows (Claude Code / API)
AI Integration & Tool Stack
Connect the AI tools you already use — or identify the right ones — and wire them into a cohesive system. No more siloed tools with no shared workflow.
- ✓Claude API, OpenAI API, Gemini integrations
- ✓CRM, email, and calendar AI connections
- ✓RAG pipelines over your own documents
- ✓API-to-API automation (Zapier replacement)
AI Skills & Team Enablement
Give your team the skills to use AI effectively — not a generic ChatGPT workshop, but hands-on training built around your actual tools and workflows.
- ✓Prompt engineering for your specific use cases
- ✓Claude, ChatGPT & Perplexity workflow training
- ✓AI governance & responsible use frameworks
- ✓Shared prompt libraries and SOPs for your team
Rapid Software Prototyping
When the right solution doesn't exist off the shelf, we build it. Working MVPs in 2–4 weeks using Next.js, Supabase, and AI-native architecture — built personally, not outsourced.
- ✓AI-native web applications (Next.js + Claude API)
- ✓Internal tools your team will actually use
- ✓Client portals, dashboards & data apps
- ✓Full IP transfer — you own everything we build
Production Development
Beyond the prototype — full-stack production applications with sophisticated AI integration, scalable architecture, and ongoing support when you're ready to grow.
- ✓Full-stack Next.js / TypeScript / Supabase
- ✓Advanced Claude API integrations & RAG
- ✓Auth, roles, billing & production infrastructure
- ✓Ongoing maintenance & optimization retainer
Our Process
How We Work
Every engagement starts with a workflow audit — we map where your team spends time, identify the highest-leverage automation targets, and scope a build plan with fixed deliverables and clear timelines.
We build Anthropic-first: Claude Code for agentic orchestration, Claude API for AI integrations and agent logic, and the best tools from the broader ecosystem where they genuinely accelerate the work.
You work directly with Chris Short. No account managers, no junior handoffs. What we build for you belongs entirely to you — full IP transfer on every engagement.
Engagement Process
Investment
Engagement Pricing
Fixed-price engagements. Written scope before work begins. No surprises.
AI Workflow Starter
Best for: small teams with clear bottlenecks
- ✓Workflow audit & prioritization
- ✓3–5 AI automations built & deployed
- ✓AI tool integration (Claude, OpenAI, etc.)
- ✓Team training & handoff documentation
- ✓2-week delivery
AI Engineering
Best for: businesses ready to go deep
- ✓Custom AI agent development (Claude API)
- ✓Multi-system integrations & RAG pipelines
- ✓Full workflow automation buildout
- ✓Team enablement & prompt libraries
- ✓4–6 week delivery
Custom Software + AI
Best for: software ideas that need to ship
- ✓MVP prototype in 2–4 weeks ($15K fixed)
- ✓Full-stack Next.js / Supabase / Vercel
- ✓Advanced AI features & integrations
- ✓Full IP transfer — you own everything
- ✓3 months post-launch support
Not sure which fits?
Book a free 30-minute call. We'll scope your project and give you exact pricing — no sales pitch.
FAQ
Common Questions
What is AI engineering for small businesses?
AI engineering means building practical systems that put AI to work inside your business — automations, agents, and integrations that remove repetitive work, speed up decision-making, and create real competitive leverage. Not theory. Working systems.
What kinds of workflows can AI automate?
High-value targets include: client intake and qualification, proposal drafting, email triage, internal Q&A and knowledge systems, report generation, social content pipelines, invoice processing, and customer support deflection. Every business has a different bottleneck — we start by identifying yours.
How long does an AI automation project take?
Most workflow automations deliver in 2–6 weeks. Custom AI agent development runs 4–8 weeks. Software MVPs are typically in production within 2–4 weeks. We scope everything in writing before starting.
Do you also build custom software?
Yes — it's about 25% of what we do. We specialize in AI-native applications where AI capabilities are core to the product. MVPs start at $15,000, delivered in 2–4 weeks. Built personally by Chris Short — not outsourced.
What makes Holistic Consulting different from other AI consultants?
We build with AI daily — Claude Code, Claude API, and the Anthropic ecosystem are how we run our own business. We're small business-focused: no enterprise overhead, no account managers, direct access from day one. Based in Davidson, NC, we serve Charlotte, Mooresville, Huntersville, Cornelius, Concord, and Gastonia.
Get Started
Ready to Build Smarter?
Whether you need AI automation, a custom agent, or a working prototype — start with a free 30-minute call. We'll scope it, price it, and tell you exactly what's possible.
Davidson, NC HQ · Charlotte · Mooresville · Huntersville · Cornelius · Concord · Gastonia
Fixed-price scopes · Full IP transfer · Direct access to Chris Short