AI Skills sessions.
Built for your small business.
AI Skills sessions.
Built for your small business.
Show Me Network Small Business Training Series 2026 — Hands-on lunch-and-learns designed to help Missouri small business owners actually use AI — not just understand it.
Show Me Network Small Business Training Series 2026 — Hands-on lunch-and-learns designed to help Missouri small business owners actually use AI — not just understand it.
Aug 11 – Nov 19, 2026 | Virtual | At no cost to you
Aug 11 – Nov 19, 2026 | Virtual | At no cost to you
These trainings are brought to you by Codefi Foundation through the Show Me Network
These trainings are brought to you by Codefi Foundation through the Show Me Network
These trainings are brought to you by Codefi Foundation through the Show Me Network
Four Events | Registration Required for Each Event
Four Events | Registration Required for Each Event
SESSION 1 of 4
AI Made Simple
AI Made Simple
Tue, Aug 11 · 12–1 PM
SESSION 2 of 4
AI for Your Marketing
AI for Your Marketing
Tue, Sep 8 · 12–1 PM
SESSION 3 of 4
Get 5 Hours Back
Get 5 Hours Back
Tue, Oct 13 · 12–1 PM
SESSION 4 of 4
Holiday Hustle
Holiday Hustle
Thur, Nov 19 · 12–1 PM
The Problem
AI keeps showing up in your feed. Your to-do list isn't getting any shorter. Those two facts are related.
Most small business owners have thought about using AI to save time, cut costs, or get ahead — but between running the shop, serving customers, and everything else, figuring out where to start never makes it to the top of the list.
"I know AI could save me time, but every time I look into it I end up more confused than when I started."
"The tools look impressive in demos. When I try them myself, I don't know what to type or where to even start."
"I spend hours every week on emails, social posts, and admin work that AI should be able to do. I just haven't had anyone show me how."
"I've been hearing about AI for two years now. I'm done hearing about it — I want to actually use it."
Here's the thing
Most haven't done anything about it — not because they don't want to, but because the tools are noisy, the guides aren't written for real businesses, and no one has shown them where to start.
Starting in August, that changes. Four sessions. One hour each. Completely free for small business owners. Built around the actual work — not the hype.
The Problem
AI keeps showing up in your feed. Your to-do list isn't getting any shorter. Those two facts are related.
Most small business owners have thought about using AI to save time, cut costs, or get ahead — but between running the shop, serving customers, and everything else, figuring out where to start never makes it to the top of the list.
"I know AI could save me time, but every time I look into it I end up more confused than when I started."
"The tools look impressive in demos. When I try them myself, I don't know what to type or where to even start."
"I spend hours every week on emails, social posts, and admin work that AI should be able to do. I just haven't had anyone show me how."
"I've been hearing about AI for two years now. I'm done hearing about it — I want to actually use it."
Here's the thing
Most haven't done anything about it — not because they don't want to, but because the tools are noisy, the guides aren't written for real businesses, and no one has shown them where to start.
Starting in August, that changes. Four sessions. One hour each. Completely free for small business owners. Built around the actual work — not the hype.
The Problem
AI keeps showing up in your feed. Your to-do list isn't getting any shorter. Those two facts are related.
Most small business owners have thought about using AI to save time, cut costs, or get ahead — but between running the shop, serving customers, and everything else, figuring out where to start never makes it to the top of the list.
"I know AI could save me time, but every time I look into it I end up more confused than when I started."
"The tools look impressive in demos. When I try them myself, I don't know what to type or where to even start."
"I spend hours every week on emails, social posts, and admin work that AI should be able to do. I just haven't had anyone show me how."
"I've been hearing about AI for two years now. I'm done hearing about it — I want to actually use it."
Here's the thing
Most haven't done anything about it — not because they don't want to, but because the tools are noisy, the guides aren't written for real businesses, and no one has shown them where to start.
Starting in August, that changes. Four sessions. One hour each. Completely free for small business owners. Built around the actual work — not the hype.
FOUR Events — Aug–Nov, 2026
Each event stands alone.
All four move you forward.
Attend one, two, or all four. Each session produces something concrete — a skill you leave with, a tool you'll use, or a workflow you can run before your next work day.
Session 1 of 4
AI Made Simple
Your New Free Employee
📅 Tuesday, August 11 · 12:00–1:00 PM
💻 Virtual
"What is AI, really — and can it actually help a business like mine?"
WHO IT'S FOR
Any small business owner who's heard about AI but hasn't known where to start. No tech experience required. If you've ever wondered whether this stuff could actually help your business, this is your session.
No experience required · At no cost to you · Registration required
The Problem
Everyone is talking about AI, but most small business owners still have no idea what it actually does — or whether it does anything useful for a shop like theirs. The demos look slick. The results feel unclear.
The Session
We'll strip away the buzz and get practical fast. Live demos using ChatGPT and Claude to write product descriptions, draft social posts, and brainstorm promotions — then teach you how to "talk to AI" the right way, framed like giving clear instructions to a new hire.
What You Leave With
Walk away with 3–5 free AI tools you can start using before your lunch break is over — and the confidence to actually use them.
Session 2 of 4
Never Stare at a
Blank Page Again
AI for Your Marketing
📅 Tuesday, September 8 · 12:00–1:00 PM
💻 Virtual
"You don't need to post more. You need a faster way to create content that actually sounds like you."
WHO IT'S FOR
Any business owner who knows they should be showing up on social media or in email — but never has the time, energy, or ideas to do it consistently. Perfect if you've been putting it off for months.
No experience required · At no cost to you · Registration required
The Problem
Social media posts, email newsletters, event flyers, seasonal promotions — these are the marketing tasks small businesses know they need to do and are most likely to put off because they take too long.
The Session
We'll show you how to generate a full week of social content in 15 minutes and how to give AI your unique voice so it never sounds generic. Real examples, live demos, and prompts you can copy and use the same day.
What You Leave With
A ready-to-use content system so you're never staring at a blank post again — with a voice and tone that sounds like your business, not a robot.
Session 3 of 4
Get 5 Hours Back
AI for the Tasks You Hate Doing
📅 Tuesday, October 13 · 12:00–1:00 PM
💻 Virtual
"There's a pile of work on my to-do list I've been putting off for weeks. AI should be able to handle most of it."
WHO IT'S FOR
Business owners drowning in admin work — routine emails, job postings, review responses, vendor messages. Anyone with a backlog of tasks that should take minutes and somehow never get done.
No experience required · At no cost to you · Registration required
The Problem
The administrative grind is real. Routine emails, inventory lists, job postings, online review responses, vendor communications — these tasks eat up hours every week, and most of them could be handled by AI in seconds.
The Session
We'll work through the most common time-wasters for small businesses and show exactly how AI handles them. Live demos and copy-and-use prompts for the tasks that have been sitting on your list for weeks.
What You Leave With
A set of ready-to-use prompts for your most tedious recurring tasks — and a clear picture of how many hours a week you could realistically take back.
Session 4 of 4
Holiday Hustle
Let AI Help You Survive Your Busiest Season
📅 Thursday, November 19 · 12:00–1:00 PM
💻 Virtual
"Every year I tell myself I'll be more prepared for the holidays. Every year I'm not. I want to actually have a plan this time."
WHO IT'S FOR
Retail shops, restaurants, service businesses — any small business owner who dreads the holiday season almost as much as they need it. If December feels like a sprint you're never ready for, this one's for you.
No experience required · At no cost to you · Registration required
The Problem
The holidays are your busiest — and most stressful — time of year. There's never time to plan content, write promotions, update your hours, or prep your staff ahead of time. And by December, you're too exhausted to do any of it well.
The Session
We'll cover AI-powered gift guides, Small Business Saturday promotions, social media countdowns, thank-you messages for loyal customers, and batch-scheduled holiday posts. Plus out-of-office replies, adjusted hours announcements, and staffing prep — so you're not glued to your phone all December.
What You Leave With
A holiday content and communication kit built for your business — ready to deploy before Thanksgiving, so your busiest season is actually manageable this year.
FOUR Events — Aug–Nov, 2026
Each event stands alone.
All four move you forward.
Attend one, two, or all four. Each session produces something concrete — a skill you leave with, a tool you'll use, or a workflow you can run before your next work day.
Session 1 of 4
AI Made Simple
Your New Free Employee
📅 Tuesday, August 11 · 12:00–1:00 PM
💻 Virtual
"What is AI, really — and can it actually help a business like mine?"
WHO IT'S FOR
Any small business owner who's heard about AI but hasn't known where to start. No tech experience required. If you've ever wondered whether this stuff could actually help your business, this is your session.
No experience required · At no cost to you · Registration required
The Problem
Everyone is talking about AI, but most small business owners still have no idea what it actually does — or whether it does anything useful for a shop like theirs. The demos look slick. The results feel unclear.
The Session
We'll strip away the buzz and get practical fast. Live demos using ChatGPT and Claude to write product descriptions, draft social posts, and brainstorm promotions — then teach you how to "talk to AI" the right way, framed like giving clear instructions to a new hire.
What You Leave With
Walk away with 3–5 free AI tools you can start using before your lunch break is over — and the confidence to actually use them.
Session 2 of 4
Never Stare at a
Blank Page Again
AI for Your Marketing
📅 Tuesday, September 8 · 12:00–1:00 PM
💻 Virtual
"You don't need to post more. You need a faster way to create content that actually sounds like you."
WHO IT'S FOR
Any business owner who knows they should be showing up on social media or in email — but never has the time, energy, or ideas to do it consistently. Perfect if you've been putting it off for months.
No experience required · At no cost to you · Registration required
The Problem
Social media posts, email newsletters, event flyers, seasonal promotions — these are the marketing tasks small businesses know they need to do and are most likely to put off because they take too long.
The Session
We'll show you how to generate a full week of social content in 15 minutes and how to give AI your unique voice so it never sounds generic. Real examples, live demos, and prompts you can copy and use the same day.
What You Leave With
A ready-to-use content system so you're never staring at a blank post again — with a voice and tone that sounds like your business, not a robot.
Session 3 of 4
Get 5 Hours Back
AI for the Tasks You Hate Doing
📅 Tuesday, October 13 · 12:00–1:00 PM
💻 Virtual
"There's a pile of work on my to-do list I've been putting off for weeks. AI should be able to handle most of it."
WHO IT'S FOR
Business owners drowning in admin work — routine emails, job postings, review responses, vendor messages. Anyone with a backlog of tasks that should take minutes and somehow never get done.
No experience required · At no cost to you · Registration required
The Problem
The administrative grind is real. Routine emails, inventory lists, job postings, online review responses, vendor communications — these tasks eat up hours every week, and most of them could be handled by AI in seconds.
The Session
We'll work through the most common time-wasters for small businesses and show exactly how AI handles them. Live demos and copy-and-use prompts for the tasks that have been sitting on your list for weeks.
What You Leave With
A set of ready-to-use prompts for your most tedious recurring tasks — and a clear picture of how many hours a week you could realistically take back.
Session 4 of 4
Holiday Hustle
Let AI Help You Survive Your Busiest Season
📅 Thursday, November 19 · 12:00–1:00 PM
💻 Virtual
"Every year I tell myself I'll be more prepared for the holidays. Every year I'm not. I want to actually have a plan this time."
WHO IT'S FOR
Retail shops, restaurants, service businesses — any small business owner who dreads the holiday season almost as much as they need it. If December feels like a sprint you're never ready for, this one's for you.
No experience required · At no cost to you · Registration required
The Problem
The holidays are your busiest — and most stressful — time of year. There's never time to plan content, write promotions, update your hours, or prep your staff ahead of time. And by December, you're too exhausted to do any of it well.
The Session
We'll cover AI-powered gift guides, Small Business Saturday promotions, social media countdowns, thank-you messages for loyal customers, and batch-scheduled holiday posts. Plus out-of-office replies, adjusted hours announcements, and staffing prep — so you're not glued to your phone all December.
What You Leave With
A holiday content and communication kit built for your business — ready to deploy before Thanksgiving, so your busiest season is actually manageable this year.
FOUR Events — Aug–Nov, 2026
Each event stands alone.
All four move you forward.
Attend one, two, or all four. Each session produces something concrete — a skill you leave with, a tool you'll use, or a workflow you can run before your next work day.
Session 1 of 4
AI Made Simple
Your New Free Employee
📅 Tuesday, August 11 · 12:00–1:00 PM
💻 Virtual
"What is AI, really — and can it actually help a business like mine?"
WHO IT'S FOR
Any small business owner who's heard about AI but hasn't known where to start. No tech experience required. If you've ever wondered whether this stuff could actually help your business, this is your session.
No experience required · At no cost to you · Registration required
The Problem
Everyone is talking about AI, but most small business owners still have no idea what it actually does — or whether it does anything useful for a shop like theirs. The demos look slick. The results feel unclear.
The Session
We'll strip away the buzz and get practical fast. Live demos using ChatGPT and Claude to write product descriptions, draft social posts, and brainstorm promotions — then teach you how to "talk to AI" the right way, framed like giving clear instructions to a new hire.
What You Leave With
Walk away with 3–5 free AI tools you can start using before your lunch break is over — and the confidence to actually use them.
Session 2 of 4
Never Stare at a
Blank Page Again
AI for Your Marketing
📅 Tuesday, September 8 · 12:00–1:00 PM
💻 Virtual
"You don't need to post more. You need a faster way to create content that actually sounds like you."
WHO IT'S FOR
Any business owner who knows they should be showing up on social media or in email — but never has the time, energy, or ideas to do it consistently. Perfect if you've been putting it off for months.
No experience required · At no cost to you · Registration required
The Problem
Social media posts, email newsletters, event flyers, seasonal promotions — these are the marketing tasks small businesses know they need to do and are most likely to put off because they take too long.
The Session
We'll show you how to generate a full week of social content in 15 minutes and how to give AI your unique voice so it never sounds generic. Real examples, live demos, and prompts you can copy and use the same day.
What You Leave With
A ready-to-use content system so you're never staring at a blank post again — with a voice and tone that sounds like your business, not a robot.
Session 3 of 4
Get 5 Hours Back
AI for the Tasks You Hate Doing
📅 Tuesday, October 13 · 12:00–1:00 PM
💻 Virtual
"There's a pile of work on my to-do list I've been putting off for weeks. AI should be able to handle most of it."
WHO IT'S FOR
Business owners drowning in admin work — routine emails, job postings, review responses, vendor messages. Anyone with a backlog of tasks that should take minutes and somehow never get done.
No experience required · At no cost to you · Registration required
The Problem
The administrative grind is real. Routine emails, inventory lists, job postings, online review responses, vendor communications — these tasks eat up hours every week, and most of them could be handled by AI in seconds.
The Session
We'll work through the most common time-wasters for small businesses and show exactly how AI handles them. Live demos and copy-and-use prompts for the tasks that have been sitting on your list for weeks.
What You Leave With
A set of ready-to-use prompts for your most tedious recurring tasks — and a clear picture of how many hours a week you could realistically take back.
Session 4 of 4
Holiday Hustle
Let AI Help You Survive Your Busiest Season
📅 Thursday, November 19 · 12:00–1:00 PM
💻 Virtual
"Every year I tell myself I'll be more prepared for the holidays. Every year I'm not. I want to actually have a plan this time."
WHO IT'S FOR
Retail shops, restaurants, service businesses — any small business owner who dreads the holiday season almost as much as they need it. If December feels like a sprint you're never ready for, this one's for you.
No experience required · At no cost to you · Registration required
The Problem
The holidays are your busiest — and most stressful — time of year. There's never time to plan content, write promotions, update your hours, or prep your staff ahead of time. And by December, you're too exhausted to do any of it well.
The Session
We'll cover AI-powered gift guides, Small Business Saturday promotions, social media countdowns, thank-you messages for loyal customers, and batch-scheduled holiday posts. Plus out-of-office replies, adjusted hours announcements, and staffing prep — so you're not glued to your phone all December.
What You Leave With
A holiday content and communication kit built for your business — ready to deploy before Thanksgiving, so your busiest season is actually manageable this year.
Built by Codefi Foundation
A Decade of Direct Startup Support in Missouri
1000+
Tech & AI Learners Trained
Exclusive
Sponsorships for Missouri Residents
$100M+
Total economic impact in southern Missouri
"Codefi's programs allowed me to grow my knowledge and take what was a loose idea and convert that into a working product. Prior to the course I used LLMs like a search engine. Now I can create tools and develop ideas that I thought I would never be able to."
Christopher W
"I had ZERO previous experience. It completely changed how I approach AI. I now think in terms of systems, workflows, and real user problems instead of just ideas. I'm more confident at turning creative ideas into structured products."
Jorge H
Built by Codefi Foundation
Graduates Started Exactly
Where You Are.
1000+
Tech & AI Learners
Trained
Exclusive
Sponsorships for Missouri Residents
$100M+
Economic impact in southern Missouri
"Codefi's programs allowed me to grow my knowledge and take what was a loose idea and convert that into a working product. Prior to the course I used LLMs like a search engine. Now I can create tools and develop ideas that I thought I would never be able to."
Christopher W
"I had ZERO previous experience. It completely changed how I approach AI. I now think in terms of systems, workflows, and real user problems instead of just ideas. I'm more confident at turning creative ideas into structured products."
Jorge H
Built by Codefi Foundation
A Decade of Direct Startup Support in Missouri
1000+
Tech & AI Learners Trained
Exclusive
Sponsorships for Missouri Residents
$100M+
Total economic impact in southern Missouri
"Codefi's programs allowed me to grow my knowledge and take what was a loose idea and convert that into a working product. Prior to the course I used LLMs like a search engine. Now I can create tools and develop ideas that I thought I would never be able to."
Jorge Holguin — Prompt to Product Graduate, Feb 2026
"I had ZERO previous experience. It completely changed how I approach AI. I now think in terms of systems, workflows, and real user problems instead of just ideas. I'm more confident at turning creative ideas into structured products."
Christopher Winters — Prompt to Product Graduate, Feb 2026
Frequently
Asked Questions
Here's everything you need to know before getting started.
01
Do I need to register for each event separately?
No — Registering for one gets you in to all four. Registration confirms your spot and delivers your join link.
02
Do I need any prior experience or equipment?
No prior experience required for any of the three sessions. You'll need a laptop and a reliable internet connection.
03
What actually happens during the hour — is it hands-on?
Yes. Each session runs live demos, shows you real AI tools in action, and ends with time for questions. You'll leave with prompts, tools, or frameworks you can use the same day — not slides to read later. The goal is for you to actually do something before the session ends.
04
What is Show Me Network?
The Show-Me Network, powered by Missouri State University’s efactory and codefi, connects entrepreneurs, innovators, and small businesses with the resources, training, and funding they need – right in their own communities. Through our statewide network of Regional and Community Connectors and Training Partners, we’re breaking down barriers, building stronger local economies, and creating opportunities that last.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Here's everything you need to know before getting started.
01
Do I need to register for each event separately?
No — Registering for one gets you in to all four. Registration confirms your spot and delivers your join link.
02
Do I need any prior experience or equipment?
No prior experience required for any of the three sessions. You'll need a laptop and a reliable internet connection.
03
What actually happens during the hour — is it hands-on?
Yes. Each session runs live demos, shows you real AI tools in action, and ends with time for questions. You'll leave with prompts, tools, or frameworks you can use the same day — not slides to read later. The goal is for you to actually do something before the session ends.
04
What is Show Me Network?
The Show-Me Network, powered by Missouri State University’s efactory and codefi, connects entrepreneurs, innovators, and small businesses with the resources, training, and funding they need – right in their own communities. Through our statewide network of Regional and Community Connectors and Training Partners, we’re breaking down barriers, building stronger local economies, and creating opportunities that last.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Here's everything you need to know before getting started.
01
Do I need to register for each event separately?
No — Registering for one gets you in to all four. Registration confirms your spot and delivers your join link.
02
Do I need any prior experience or equipment?
No prior experience required for any of the three sessions. You'll need a laptop and a reliable internet connection.
03
What actually happens during the hour — is it hands-on?
Yes. Each session runs live demos, shows you real AI tools in action, and ends with time for questions. You'll leave with prompts, tools, or frameworks you can use the same day — not slides to read later. The goal is for you to actually do something before the session ends.
04
What is Show Me Network?
The Show-Me Network, powered by Missouri State University’s efactory and codefi, connects entrepreneurs, innovators, and small businesses with the resources, training, and funding they need – right in their own communities. Through our statewide network of Regional and Community Connectors and Training Partners, we’re breaking down barriers, building stronger local economies, and creating opportunities that last.
Four sessions. All at no cost to you. Register now before spots fill.
54 Hours to Change the Trajectory of Your Idea. Start Here.
These sessions are the most direct path to AI skills available to Missouri small business owners right now — sponsored by Codefi Foundation, designed to produce something real, not just awareness.