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Top AI Tools for Entrepreneurs to Boost Productivity
- Ben Angel
- 2 hours ago
- 15 min read
What are the best AI tools for entrepreneurs? The best AI tools for entrepreneurs are platforms that automate repetitive work, improve decision-making, and scale output without increasing workload. Tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, Zapier, Trello, and Notion help entrepreneurs write faster, organize workflows, automate tasks, and operate more efficiently. |
If you’ve ever felt like there just aren’t enough hours in the day, you’re not alone. Running a business or managing marketing campaigns can feel like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle. But what if I told you there’s a secret weapon that can help you get more done, faster, and with less stress?
Enter AI tools—the game changers for entrepreneurs looking to skyrocket productivity.
In this post, I’m going to walk you through some of the best AI tools for entrepreneurs that can transform how you work. Whether you’re automating tedious tasks, generating creative content, or managing your time better, these tools have got your back.
Before we dive in, here’s the filter behind this list. I’m a weekly VIP Contributor for Entrepreneur, and my AI videos have pulled in millions of views—so I get pitched “the next big AI tool” every week. And I ignore 99% of them. Not because I’m anti-tool, but because I only trust tools that survive real use. I test them one-by-one inside actual business workflows, and if they don’t save time or improve output fast, they’re gone.
The tools below made the cut.
Why AI Tools Are a Game Changer for Entrepreneurs
Imagine having a personal assistant who never sleeps, never complains, and can handle everything from scheduling meetings to writing emails. That’s what AI tools bring to the table. They help you:
Automate repetitive tasks so you can focus on what really matters.
Generate ideas and content in seconds, not hours.
Analyze data to make smarter decisions.
Improve communication with customers and team members.
Think of AI as your productivity sidekick, always ready to jump in and help you tackle your to-do list. And the best part? You don’t need to be a tech wizard to use these tools. They’re designed to be user-friendly and accessible.
Top AI Tools for Entrepreneurs to Supercharge Your Workflow
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Here are some of my favorite AI tools that can help you work smarter, not harder.
1. ChatGPT by OpenAI - Your AI Writing Partner (and Personal Assistant)
If you’ve ever stared at a blank screen wondering how to start that blog post or email, ChatGPT is your new best friend. This AI-powered chatbot can generate text based on your prompts, helping you draft everything from marketing copy to customer support replies.
But the real power move?
Stop thinking of ChatGPT as “a writing tool”… and start using it like a personal assistant that can think with you.
Because most entrepreneurs don’t need more ideas — they need momentum.
They need someone (or something) to take the messy thoughts in their head and turn them into a clear plan, fast.
Here are a few real ways I use ChatGPT as a personal business assistant:
• Turn brain dumps into action plans: I’ll paste in a messy list of tasks and ask it to organize everything into priorities, timelines, and the next 3 actions that actually move the needle.
• Rewrite messages in my voice (without sounding robotic): I’ll give it a rough draft and say, “Make this sound like me — friendly, direct, confident — and cut 30% of the fluff.”
• Create a first draft in minutes: Whether it’s an email, a blog intro, or a video hook, I use it to get the first version on the page so I can shape it, sharpen it, and publish faster.
• Brainstorm better angles (not generic ones): Instead of “give me 10 ideas,” I’ll ask for “3 contrarian angles + 3 curiosity hooks + 3 objections my audience is secretly thinking.”
How to use it: Just type in what you need—like “Write a friendly email to a potential client”—and watch it craft a polished message. Then take it one step further: ask it to make that message tighter, clearer, and more you.
Or, if you want to turn on genius mode, download ChatGPT Atlas and use Agent Mode. It will conduct research on your behalf and even drop the results into a Google Docs spreadsheet for you.
Why it’s great: It saves you time, sparks creativity when you’re stuck, and turns vague ideas into something you can actually use.
Pro tip: Don’t just ask for answers — ask for structure. Have ChatGPT turn your notes into an outline, turn your outline into a draft, then turn that draft into something you’d actually say out loud.
If you want the full breakdown, I put together a step-by-step tutorial that shows you exactly how to turn ChatGPT Atlas into a personal marketing assistant (the same workflow I use to research, organize, and speed up content and marketing).
And if you want a simpler starting point before diving into agents and advanced workflows, I also put together a beginner-friendly guide called ChatGPT Smart and Simple AI, where I break down what ChatGPT actually is and share 40 surprisingly practical ways entrepreneurs are already using it in the real world.
What are AI agents and how do entrepreneurs use them? AI agents are task-focused AI systems that analyze information, make decisions, and take action across tools and apps. Entrepreneurs use AI agents to automate research, content creation, follow-ups, and workflow coordination. |
2. Trello with Butler Automation - Organize and Automate Your Tasks
Trello is already one of the most intuitive project management tools out there—but when you add Butler Automation, it stops being just a board and starts acting like a personal productivity engine.
Butler is Trello’s built-in, no-code automation layer that lets you create rules and triggers that run automatically whenever you take action (or don’t), saving you hours of manual work every week.
Butler lets you set up automations in plain English, without any coding. You can use triggers based on card movements, due dates, labels, checklists, or schedules, and Butler will automatically carry out the actions you define—like moving cards, assigning teammates, setting dates, or adding checklists.
How to use it as a personal assistant:
Consistency at scale: I create rules so routine steps happen without me lifting a finger (e.g., “When a card moves to Done, check off all subtasks and archive it”). This keeps boards tidy without manual upkeep
• Trigger-based workflows: I’ll automate task handoffs (“When a card is labeled Ready for Review, assign it to X and alert the team”), so nothing slips through the cracks
• Schedule housekeeping: Set up calendar commands to run at intervals—like clearing old cards or reshuffling tasks by priority—so boards stay clean and focused.
• Cross-board automation: When work spans multiple boards, I automate cards to sync or link between them—great for layered workflows involving content calendars, campaign tasks, and client deliverables.
How to use it:Open the board menu, click Automation, and start with a simple rule: for example,
When a card is moved to “Done,” move it to the Completed list and mark the due date complete. Trello
From there, you can stack actions or build one-click buttons that perform multiple steps (like assigning teammates, tagging priority, and setting follow-ups) all at once.
Why it’s great:
• No coding required: The natural-language automation interface means anyone on your team can build powerful workflows without technical training.
• Huge time savings: Automating repetitive tasks means your team spends less time on manual updates and more time on high-impact work.
• Consistency and reliability: Rules always run the same way, eliminating human error and keeping project boards up to date.
• Scale with integration: While Butler operates inside Trello, it can integrate with apps like Slack, email tools, or Zapier for cross-platform workflows.
Pro tip: Start with a few high-impact automations—like due-date reminders and task transitions—then layer in rules that enforce your process across teams. If you’re juggling multiple Trello boards, set up cross-board automations so tasks flow between contexts without manual copying.
3. Grammarly - AI Agents That Polish, Pressure-Test, and Protect Your Message
Most people think Grammarly is just a spellcheck tool. It used to be.
Now, Grammarly is quietly turning into something way more useful for entrepreneurs: a set of task-specific AI agents that work inside your writing flow and evaluate your message from different angles—clarity, tone, credibility, and how it will land with real readers. In other words, it’s less “fix my commas” and more “make sure this actually works before I hit publish.”
Grammarly’s AI agents are designed to use the context of what you’re writing and your goals to take action (not just generate text like a chatbot). And they’re built to help your voice shine through instead of replacing it.
How to use it as a personal assistant:
• Proofreader agent: I run this before publishing to tighten clarity, structure, and phrasing so the writing feels crisp and human (without me re-reading the same paragraph 12 times).
• Reader Reactions agent: This is huge for marketing—because it helps you preview how your message might land with your audience and shows what to tweak for the impact you actually want.
• Citation Finder agent: If I make a claim (stats, trends, “research shows…”), this helps fact-check the point and find legitimate sources/citations so the content feels trustworthy instead of “AI-generated vibes.”
• Paraphraser agent: When something is technically correct but not persuasive, I’ll use this to rework phrasing for a specific tone and audience without losing the meaning.
How to use it:
Open a doc in Grammarly’s writing app (app.grammarly.com) and you’ll see the agents in the side panel. Pick one agent based on what you need in that moment (they’re designed to be used one at a time, right when you need them).
Why it’s great:
It doesn’t just help you write faster—it helps you write with more confidence. You’re not guessing if your email sounds too harsh, your landing page feels unclear, or your blog claims need support. The agents help you pressure-test the message before your audience does.
Pro tip:
The fastest workflow is: draft quickly (even with ChatGPT), then run Grammarly’s agents to tighten clarity, test reader impact, and make sure anything “factual” is supported. That’s how you get speed without sacrificing trust.
I also used Grammarly’s AI agents while writing my latest AI book, The Wolf Is at the Door. As the ideas got more complex, Grammarly helped me pressure-test clarity, tighten explanations, and make sure the message landed the way I intended—especially for entrepreneurs who are new to AI. It became a second set of eyes that helped turn dense ideas into something readable, human, and practical, which is a big reason the book is now considered one of the best AI books for entrepreneurs.
If you’re new to AI agents and want to understand how they actually work in the real world (beyond the hype), I’ve put together a full breakdown on how smart solopreneurs are already using ChatGPT agents to automate work, make better decisions, and move faster without burning out.
4. Zapier - Connect Your Apps, Automate Workflows & Add AI Intelligence
Zapier has long been the glue that holds your digital tools together—connecting apps you use daily (like Gmail, Slack, Google Sheets, and hundreds more) and automating workflows without any coding.
But today it’s also an AI-powered orchestration platform, meaning you don’t just automate repetitive tasks—you can teach AI agents to work for you across your apps.
How to use it as a personal assistant as an entrepreneur:
• Trigger AI tasks for real work: I build workflows that automatically analyze incoming data—like leads, form submissions, or support requests—and have AI by Zapier take the next step (e.g., summarize, categorize, or respond).
• Automate cross-app coordination: My Zapier agents keep CRM, email, and task tools in sync, tracking actions and updating records without manual steps.
• Smart lead enrichment: When a new lead arrives, an AI agent can research the company, gather key info, and even draft a personalized follow-up email—all automatically.
• Intelligent notifications: Instead of flooding me with every update, Zapier agents gauge the importance of events and send only meaningful alerts or summaries.
How to use it:
Start with a simple Zap (trigger → action), then add an AI by Zapier step to bring intelligence into the workflow. For example:
“When a new lead form is submitted and the text contains keywords X, have AI summarize the entry, enrich the data, and add it to my CRM with a follow-up task.”
Or build an AI agent using Zapier’s agents interface—tell it in plain language what outcomes you want (e.g., “Monitor customer feedback channels, tag sentiment, and alert me for anything negative”) and let it run.
Why it’s great:
• Scale beyond traditional automation: Zapier’s AI agents aren’t limited to fixed rules—agents can make decisions and adapt across thousands of apps.
• No code, no headache: You don’t need technical skills—just describe what you want and let the platform do the heavy lifting.
• Massive integration ecosystem: Zapier connects with thousands of apps, so your AI-powered workflows can span your entire business stack. I've used Zapier for close to 6 years to automate lead generation and email funnels with ease when other platforms couldn't fill in the gaps - but now, it's even more intuitive and user friendly.
• Time freed for strategy: By handing off routine coordination, data enrichment, and repetitive workflows, you can focus on growth instead of process.
Pro tip: Start with a handful of high-impact automations—like lead routing, customer support triage, or calendar/CRM sync—and then layer in AI intelligence. Once you see how much time you save, expanding your Zapier + AI agents stack becomes obvious.
5. Notion AI - All-in-One Workspace with AI Assistance
Notion has long been a favorite for organizing notes, projects, and databases. But with Notion AI, it’s evolving into something more powerful for entrepreneurs: a centralized workspace where AI helps you think, organize, and move faster—without jumping between tools.
While Notion AI isn’t a fully autonomous “agent” that runs on its own, it functions like an embedded AI assistant inside your workflows. It works directly within your pages, tasks, and databases to help you turn raw information into structured output—exactly where your work already lives.
How to use it as a personal assistant:
• Turn messy notes into structure: I’ll drop in meeting notes, brainstorms, or research dumps and ask Notion AI to summarize key points, extract action items, or turn them into a clean plan.
• Speed up documentation and SOPs: When I need internal docs, outlines, or process explanations, Notion AI helps generate first drafts that I can refine—huge time saver.
• Database-level intelligence: Inside tables and content calendars, Notion AI can help rewrite entries, summarize rows, or generate descriptions consistently across dozens of items.
• Idea expansion without context switching: Because the AI lives inside Notion, I can brainstorm, refine, and organize ideas in one place instead of bouncing between apps.
How to use it:
Highlight any text or place your cursor on a Notion page and select Notion AI. From there, you can ask it to rewrite, summarize, brainstorm ideas, create outlines, or turn notes into action items—directly inside your workspace.
Why it’s great:
Notion AI doesn’t just help you write—it helps you think more clearly inside your systems. For entrepreneurs juggling projects, content, ideas, and operations, that context-aware assistance reduces friction and keeps everything connected in one place.
Pro tip:Use Notion AI as the “organizer” in your AI stack. Let tools like ChatGPT generate raw ideas, then bring them into Notion and use Notion AI to structure them into plans, databases, or content calendars you’ll actually execute on.
How to Choose the Right AI Tools for Your Business
How do entrepreneurs choose the right AI tools? Entrepreneurs should choose AI tools based on workflow fit, not popularity. The most effective tools support one or more stages of the SCALE Method: Scan problems, Compile information, Stress test ideas, and Launch automated workflows. |
This is where most entrepreneurs go wrong with AI tools—they pick tools first, then try to force them into their workflow.
Instead, I use a simple framework called the SCALE Method to decide which tools are worth using and where they actually fit. Any AI tool you use should support at least one of these four stages:
1. Scan
Identify friction and opportunities. Where are you losing time, energy, or momentum? This could be writing emails, researching ideas, managing tasks, or handling admin. Tools like ChatGPT and AI agents shine here by quickly surfacing insights, patterns, and starting points.
2. Compile
Turn raw information into structure. This is where tools like Notion AI, Trello, or ChatGPT help organize notes, ideas, research, and tasks into something usable—documents, plans, databases, or workflows.
3. Stress Test
Pressure-test before you commit. Does the tool actually fit how you work? Does it integrate with your existing apps? This is where Grammarly’s AI agents, trial versions, and small test runs matter—so you refine clarity, accuracy, and flow before scaling.
4. Launch
Deploy and automate. Once a tool proves its value, you integrate it into real workflows using platforms like Zapier or built-in automations. Start small, automate one process, then expand once it’s working smoothly.
The goal isn’t to use more AI tools—it’s to use the right tools at the right stage, so your workflow gets simpler, not more complex. If a tool doesn’t clearly support one (or more) parts of SCALE, it probably doesn’t belong in your stack.
If you want the full breakdown, I put together a step-by-step guide called ChatGPT Atlas Agent Mode Tutorial: How I Turned ChatGPT Atlas Into a $30/hr AI Marketing Assistant, where I walk through the exact workflow I use to research, organize ideas, and automate marketing tasks in real time
Real-Life Examples of AI Tools Boosting Productivity
Let me share a quick story. One entrepreneur I know was drowning in customer emails. She started using ChatGPT to draft responses and Zapier to automatically tag and organize emails. Within a week, her inbox was manageable, and she had more time to focus on growing her business.
Another marketer used Notion AI to create content calendars and brainstorm blog ideas. The AI helped her generate fresh angles and saved hours of planning time.
These are exactly the kinds of workflows I walk entrepreneurs through inside my 28 Days AI Challenge.
Instead of overwhelming people with dozens of tools, the focus is on AI mastery—learning how to combine the right tools, in the right order, to solve real business problems.
That’s the difference between knowing AI exists and actually using it to reclaim time, reduce mental load, and scale output. Whether it’s handling inbox overload, building content systems, or automating follow-ups, the goal is to build confidence and momentum step by step—so AI becomes a practical advantage, not another distraction.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of AI Tools
AI tools are incredibly powerful—but only if you use them with intention. Over time, I’ve noticed that the biggest gains don’t come from finding more tools, but from using a small set of tools more deliberately. Here are a few principles I rely on to get consistent results.
Be clear with your inputs. AI doesn’t struggle with intelligence—it struggles with ambiguity. The more context you give, the better the output. Instead of vague prompts, explain the goal, the audience, and what “good” looks like. When I slow down and clarify my input by even 30 seconds, I usually save 10–15 minutes of cleanup later.
Combine tools for maximum effect. One tool rarely does everything well. Real productivity comes from pairing tools intentionally—like using ChatGPT to generate a first draft, then Grammarly’s AI agents to refine clarity, tone, and credibility. Each tool plays a specific role in the workflow instead of trying to do everything at once.
Keep learning. AI tools evolve fast, but that doesn’t mean you need to chase every update. I pay attention to features that remove friction from tasks I already do weekly. If a new feature doesn’t clearly save time or improve quality, I ignore it. Progress comes from mastery, not constant switching.
Don’t rely solely on AI. AI is a powerful assistant, not a replacement for judgment. The best results happen when you treat AI as a thinking partner—one that helps you draft, organize, and pressure-test ideas—while you provide context, nuance, and final decisions. Your perspective is still the differentiator.
Protect your data. Always pay attention to privacy policies, data usage, and where your information is stored. I avoid pasting sensitive client data or proprietary information into tools that don’t clearly explain how data is handled. Responsible use isn’t just about security—it’s about maintaining credibility with your audience and customers.
Embrace the AI Revolution and Future-Proof Your Business
How can entrepreneurs learn AI tools step by step? The fastest way to build AI mastery is through structured, hands-on learning. Programs like the 28 Day AI Challenge focus on applying AI tools to real business tasks instead of overwhelming users with theory. |
The AI revolution isn’t coming—it’s already here, and it’s reshaping how entrepreneurs work every day. By choosing the right AI tools, you can future-proof your business, boost productivity, and gain a real competitive edge. The goal isn’t to replace human creativity or judgment—it’s to amplify your strengths and free up time for the work that actually moves the needle.
If you want to go deeper, this is the same mindset I expand on in The Wolf Is at the Door—a book many entrepreneurs now consider one of the best AI books for entrepreneurs because it focuses on practical application, not hype.
And if you prefer a hands-on approach, the 28 Day AI Challenge is designed to help you build real AI mastery step by step, using tools like the ones you’ve seen in this guide.
So don’t overthink it. Start small, pick one workflow to improve, and let AI work alongside you—not instead of you. Explore these AI tools, apply them intentionally, and watch your productivity (and clarity) compound.
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