BYOB: Build Your Own Business

AI & Small Business: Opportunity, Reality and Risk AI & Small Business: Opportunity, Reality and Risk Join us for our next BYOB featuring Doug Lineberry and Ben Calhoun with the South Carolina Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as we explore how artificial intelligence is changing the way we do business—and what that really means for small business owners. This practical, approachable session will look at the opportunities, realities, and risks of AI, including ways it can save time, improve productivity, strengthen marketing and customer engagement, and support everyday operations. We’ll also discuss where AI falls short and what business owners need to consider before putting it to work. Whether you’re already using AI or wondering where to begin, you’ll leave with practical ideas, a better understanding of what AI can—and can’t—do, and ways to use it more thoughtfully in your business. Doug Lineberry is an experienced intellectual property attorney with a technical background in biology and chemistry. His practice focuses on patents, trademarks, IP litigation, and helping clients navigate complex intellectual property issues. Ben Calhoun is Area Manager for the Clemson office of the SC SBDC, serving entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties. With nearly 30 years of experience in business leadership, consulting, and entrepreneurship, Ben brings practical, results-oriented guidance to helping businesses start, grow, and succeed.