I speak at conferences, company events, and on podcasts — bringing grounded, practical perspective on AI, digital strategy, and what it actually takes to grow a small business in a noisy world. No buzzwords. No slides full of frameworks nobody uses. Just honest, useful ideas from someone who's been in the trenches.
Produced segments on web accessibility & digital compliance
Talk Topics
Three Talks. All Substance.
Each talk is built around real experience and designed to leave audiences with something they can use the next day — not just something to think about.
Talk 01
AI Without the Overwhelm
How small businesses can adopt AI tools that actually help — without losing the plot.
AI & automationSmall businessPractical tools45–60 min · keynote or workshop
Every small business owner is being told they need to "use AI" — but most of the advice is either too technical, too vague, or designed for enterprise teams with six-figure software budgets. This talk cuts through the noise. Drawing on my work as Chief Global Growth Officer at esther.ai and years of hands-on consulting, I walk audiences through a practical framework for evaluating, adopting, and actually benefiting from AI tools — without the hype, the jargon, or the fear.
Audiences leave with
A clear mental model for deciding which AI tools are worth their time
Three specific use cases they can implement in their business within a week
Confidence that they don't need to become a tech expert to benefit from AI
A checklist for avoiding the most common AI adoption mistakes
Talk 02
Your Website Is Lying to You
Why most small business websites fail — and what to do instead.
Web strategyDigital marketingConversion30–45 min · keynote or panel
Most small business websites look fine and perform terribly. They were built to check a box — not to convert visitors, build trust, or drive growth. After two decades and hundreds of builds, I've seen every version of this problem. This talk is part diagnosis, part prescription — a candid look at why websites fail and a straightforward framework for fixing the ones that are quietly costing you business right now.
Audiences leave with
The five most common reasons small business websites underperform
A simple self-audit they can run on their own site that afternoon
Language for talking to developers and designers that gets better results
A prioritized list of quick wins vs. longer-term investments
Talk 03
The Digital Clarity Framework
Stop chasing tools and trends — build a digital strategy that actually serves your business.
StrategyDigital clarityLeadership45–90 min · workshop format
Small business owners are drowning in options — new platforms, new tools, new tactics — and most of it is noise. The Digital Clarity Framework is a practical system I've developed through years of consulting for cutting through the clutter: identifying what your business actually needs digitally, building a strategy around it, and making decisions that compound over time instead of resetting every six months.
Audiences leave with
A repeatable framework for evaluating any new digital tool or tactic
Clarity on their own business's top three digital priorities
A 90-day digital strategy template they can customize immediately
Confidence to say no to distractions — and yes to what actually matters
Formats & Logistics
Flexible for Your Stage and Audience.
Conference Keynote
A polished, high-energy talk designed to anchor a session or open a day. Tailored to your theme and audience.
45–60 min · in-person or virtual
Podcast Guest
Conversational, candid, and prepared. I come ready with stories, frameworks, and opinions your listeners will remember.
30–90 min · remote recording welcome
Workshop & Training
Interactive, hands-on sessions for teams or event attendees. Participants work through real problems, not hypothetical ones.
2–4 hrs · half-day · full-day
Panel Participation
Experienced panelist who holds opinions, listens well, and keeps conversations productive without dominating them.
30–60 min · in-person or virtual
Company Offsite
Custom-built sessions for leadership teams, sales kickoffs, or staff development days — designed around your specific challenges.
Half-day or full-day · custom scope
Association & Chamber Events
A natural fit for small business associations, chambers of commerce, and entrepreneur networks — practical value for members at any stage.
30–60 min · local or regional
Speaker Background
Why Ash Makes a Good Guest.
I'm not an academic or a thought leader who built a career on speaking. I'm a practitioner — someone who's been building, advising, and operating in digital for over two decades. That means every talk is grounded in actual experience, not curated LinkedIn wisdom.
I'm direct, conversational, and good at reading a room. I don't read from slides. I don't pad time. And I always make sure your audience walks away with something real.
“I've seen too many brilliant people stuck in digital quicksand. I'm here to build ladders — and I'd love to do that from your stage.”
Ash Harris
Credentials at a Glance
20+ years in digital strategy & web
Hundreds of projects across nonprofits, government, healthcare, education, and small business.
Chief Global Growth Officer, esther.ai
Inside a live AI company — navigating real growth challenges in the risk management and governance space.
Founder, nimblefish web agency
Running a lean, results-driven agency for small businesses since 2010.
National media exposure
Produced segments on CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, PBS & Fox Business for web accessibility work.
Community builder & connector
Founded The Digital Lunch networking series — 7 years, hundreds of local professionals connected.
Michigan-based, nationally relevant
Based in the Lansing area — available regionally and nationally, in-person or virtual.
Podcast Pitch
Running a Show? Here's What I Bring.
Ash Harris — speaker one-sheet
A practical, jargon-free voice on AI adoption, digital strategy, and small business growth — built on two decades of real-world experience, not theory.
Based inMichigan (US)
AvailableVirtual & in-person
Prep timeFlexible — usually 1 week
Episode length30 min to 90 min
RecordingRemote audio/video
Great episode topics
AI tools that actually work for small business — what to adopt, what to skip, and why most advice misses the mark
The website audit every owner needs — five things to check today that could be silently costing you leads
Building a trusted network as your competitive edge — why the right connections are worth more than any single service
Web accessibility and the legal shift nobody's talking about — what's coming and why small businesses need to pay attention now
How to hire a web agency without getting burned — a practitioner's guide to asking the right questions
What makes Ash a strong guest
Practitioner, not just a pundit — everything comes from real client work
Conversational and direct — no script, no filler, no "um, great question"
Current inside AI (esther.ai CGGO) — relevant to the moment
Built & sold multiple agencies — entrepreneurship credibility is real
Midwest pragmatism — cuts through coastal tech hype naturally
Audience-first mindset — always ties back to listener takeaways
Book Ash
Let's Make It Easy to Say Yes.
Whether you're planning an event six months out or recording next week, I'm flexible and easy to work with. Fill out the form and I'll get back to you within one business day — usually faster.
Not sure if I'm the right fit? Send me a message anyway. I'm happy to have a quick conversation and point you in the right direction either way.
