2026 WORKSHOPS

 Put Gemini to Work on One Real Business Task

October 7th 11:00-12:00 pm CT

Heard the buzz about AI, but wondering what it actually means for your business? This workshop cuts through the noise. By exploring practical applications and real-life examples from business owners like you, you’ll leave with a personalized plan to put AI to work for your business right away. You won't just learn about Google AI tools – you'll get hands-on practice. More importantly, you'll discover when and how to use them strategically to tackle common business challenges.

Get Found, Understood, and Recommended in AI Search

October 8th 11:00-12:00 pm CT

AI-powered search doesn’t see your content like a human. It reads structure, relevance, and trust. This session teaches you how to send the right signals to both AI and your audience—so you show up and get chosen.

 Turn One Idea into a Week of On-Brand Marketing Assets with Google AI

October 21st 11:00-12:00 pm CT

Creating consistent, high-quality marketing materials can be time-consuming — especially when you’re running a small business. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to use Nano Banana to quickly generate polished marketing assets that support your sales and growth goals.

​We’ll walk through how to create social media graphics, promotional visuals, campaign creatives, and branded content in a fraction of the time it typically takes. You’ll see practical examples of how entrepreneurs are using Nano Banana to move from idea to finished asset quickly, without needing a design team or advanced technical skills.

 Automate the Repeatable Work While Human Judgment Stays in Charge

October 22nd  11:00-12:00 pm CT

Small business owners wear many hats, but repetitive tasks shouldn’t slow you down. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to use Gemini to automate and streamline everyday business workflows so you can focus on growth instead of busy work.

​We’ll walk through practical, real-world examples of how entrepreneurs are using Gemini to draft emails, generate proposals, create SOPs, organize customer information, summarize documents, build marketing assets, and more. You’ll leave with repeatable prompts, workflow templates, and a clearer understanding of how to integrate AI into your daily operations — without needing technical expertise.

Put AI to Work: Google Tools to Scale your Small Business

October 28th 11:00-12:00 pm CT

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a powerful technology that can help simplify business tasks and create new opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs – but knowing how to use it may seem out of reach. Developed with input from experts at Google, this workshop will explain the basics of AI and how AI-powered tools by Google can help small businesses be more efficient, enhance customer experiences, and drive growth.

Help Google and Customers Understand and Trust Your Business

October 29th 11:00-12:00 pm CT

If your business isn’t on Google, you don’t exist to the modern customer. But today, "being on Google" means more than just a pin on a map. It means being the answer when AI-powered search engines recommend the best local spots.

This workshop walks you through how to build a high-performing Google Business Profile that speaks to both humans and AI. Whether you’re a local staple or a brand-new startup, you’ll learn how to feed Google’s ecosystem the right data so you show up exactly when and where customers are looking. A practical roadmap to becoming the most "findable" business in your area.

 Sharpen Your Product Idea with Gemini

November 3rd 11:00-12:00 pm CT

Have a product idea but unsure if it’s worth building? In this practical workshop, you’ll learn how to use Gemini AI to validate your concept before investing time, money, or resources.


We’ll walk through how to use Gemini to research your target market, analyze competitors, refine your value proposition, pressure-test your assumptions, and identify your ideal customer profile. You’ll also learn how to generate early user feedback questions, define problem statements, and clarify what makes your idea different in the marketplace.

 Know What Is Working: Use Analytics and AI to Plan Your Next Move

November 4th 11:00-12:00 pm CT

Your data is talking. Are you listening?

Artificial Intelligence has changed the game. You no longer need to be a math whiz to understand your website. This beginner-friendly workshop shows you how to pair Google Analytics with AI to turn raw traffic into clear business insights. Stop guessing and start growing with tools that highlight the "why" behind your numbers.


A clear introduction to what matters and how to use modern tools to move your business forward. If you’ve ever wondered what’s working, what’s not, or how to predict what your customers will do next... this session is your starting point.

 Unlocking Visibility: Know Your Customer, Know Your Brand

November 5th 11:00-12:00 pm CT

Unlocking Visibility: Know Your Customer, Grow Your Brand is a training that focuses on helping businesses differentiate themselves from their competitors by becoming an expert on their customers. By adopting a customer-centric approach, businesses can gain valuable visibility in their industry and become a trusted authority. The training covers topics such as market research, customer profiling, and communication strategies to ensure businesses understand their customers' needs and effectively communicate their message.

 Put Gemini to Work on One Real Business Task

November 18th 11:00-12:00 pm CT

Heard the buzz about AI, but wondering what it actually means for your business? This workshop cuts through the noise. By exploring practical applications and real-life examples from business owners like you, you’ll leave with a personalized plan to put AI to work for your business right away. You won't just learn about Google AI tools – you'll get hands-on practice. More importantly, you'll discover when and how to use them strategically to tackle common business challenges.

 AI + YouTube: Build Trust & Get Found in Video-First Search

December 2nd 11:00-12:00 pm CT

This workshop shows you how to leverage AI-driven tools to turn YouTube into a high-speed growth engine for your business, even if you’re starting from zero. 

Video isn’t optional anymore-it’s how today’s customers learn, decide, and buy. This workshop shows you how to leverage AI-driven tools to turn YouTube into a high-speed growth engine for your business, even if you’re starting from zero.  From setting up your channel to running simple video ads, you’ll get the exact steps to show up with confidence and clarity on the world’s second-largest search engine.

  Build Customer Trust and  Connection While Using AI

December 3rd 11:00-12:00 pm CT

AI isn’t a side project anymore-it’s your operating system. In this session, we’ll unpack what it means to build an AI strategy that scales with trust, transparency, and transformation. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to deepen your AI use, this session shows how to do it responsibly, powerfully, and profitably.

  Organize Business Knowledge in One Gemini Notebook

December 9th 11:00-12:00 pm CT

In this intermediate-level workshop, you’ll learn how to use Gemini Notebook to transform your existing business documents into clear insights, decisions, and action plans.

We’ll walk through how to upload and organize key materials, ask strategic questions across multiple documents, extract themes, summarize long reports, and identify gaps or opportunities hiding in plain sight. You’ll see how Notebook can help you synthesize information faster, prepare for strategic planning sessions, streamline operations, and make better data-informed decisions without hiring an analyst.

 A Year In Review: Metrics That Matter

December 10th 11:00-12:00 pm CT

In this seminar, participants will learn about the key metrics that matter in marketing and how to use them to optimize their campaigns. By measuring the right metrics, businesses can make data-driven decisions to improve their marketing strategies and see better results. This seminar will empower participants to stop wasting time and money on ineffective marketing and start using metrics to drive success.

Maria Elena

CEO - Smart Brand System

CAIO - Chief AI Officer

SW Regional Grow with Google Coach

Maria Elena Duron is on a mission to help businesses get found.


She has trained more than eighteen thousand small businesses through programs including Grow with Google, Smart Brand System, Smart REST System, and Chief AI Officer training.

Recognized by the Texas Governor’s Office and trusted by national organizations, Maria Elena is a leading expert in search and answer engine optimization.

She is known for a clear, practical teaching style that helps small businesses stand out, build trust, and grow with confidence.