Speaking on How AI is Transforming Local Marketing for Small Businesses

SCORE, “For the Life of Your Business,” is a national nonprofit organization and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). With over 200 chapters and more than 10,000 volunteer mentors across the United States, SCORE provides free and confidential mentoring, low-cost workshops, and valuable resources to help small business owners succeed. Its mission is to foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education, ensuring entrepreneurs have the tools they need to grow and thrive.

On October 21, 2025, SCORE Los Angeles hosted a live online workshop titled “Smarter Local Marketing: How AI is Changing the Way Customers Find Small Businesses.” The 60-minute session, held in English and open to entrepreneurs nationwide for a nominal fee of $10, featured international speaker and digital growth specialist Ines. Known for her practical and results-driven approach, she guided attendees through the urgent and evolving topic of AI in local marketing.

SCORE Los Angeles is one of the most active chapters in the country, offering a variety of workshops, events, and one-on-one mentorship opportunities. The chapter plays a vital role in supporting small businesses throughout Southern California by connecting local entrepreneurs with experienced mentors and educators like Ines. By hosting workshops such as “Smarter Local Marketing: How AI is Changing the Way Customers Find Small Businesses,” SCORE Los Angeles ensures that business leaders stay ahead of industry changes and competitive pressures.

The webinar was designed to address one of the most pressing challenges for small businesses today: staying visible in a marketplace increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Customers are changing the way they search, compare, and decide where to spend their money. With AI-powered tools like Google’s AI Overviews and voice-enabled search, fewer people are clicking through websites, and more are relying directly on AI-generated answers and recommendations. As Ines emphasized during the session, local businesses that adapt quickly will not only retain visibility but also attract new customers, while those that fail to adjust risk being left behind.

During the workshop, Ines broke down the ways AI is reshaping local discovery, from the growing importance of Google Business Profile optimization to the new emphasis on reviews, trust signals, and structured data. She outlined a practical framework that even non-technical business owners can implement, focusing on five pillars of AI-driven local visibility: a fully optimized business profile, strong reputation and reviews, content aligned with customer intent, conversational and long-tail keywords, and automation and analytics tools to save time and scale efforts. She also provided attendees with a step-by-step action plan, including updating online listings, managing reviews, creating content with AI and human editing, and tracking results with simple dashboards.

Participants responded positively to the session, highlighting how the workshop made a complex subject accessible and actionable. Many noted that Ines’s emphasis on authenticity and human touch, reminding businesses not to rely solely on AI-generated content, helped alleviate concerns about losing their brand’s unique voice. Others appreciated the clear checklist and simple tactics that could be implemented immediately without requiring a large budget or advanced technical expertise.

Ines is an educator, international speaker, and online growth specialist with more than 17 years of experience in digital marketing and business expansion. She is a Forbes Business Council member and was recognized as a 2024 Leader of Influence by the Los Angeles Business Journal. In addition to her work with SCORE Los Angeles, she contributes as a mentor for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s SelectUSA program, advises Pacific Community Ventures, and serves on the boards of several organizations and startups. Her workshops are widely recognized for being practical, actionable, and focused on empowering small business owners to implement growth strategies right away.

Contact Ines for Expert Guidance for Small Business Growth

For entrepreneurs who want to learn more or work directly with Ines, opportunities are available to engage with her as a coach: 

• For Entrepreneurs and Founders: Explore the Online Growth Accelerator

For mentorship and speaking events, you may Contact Ines and her team directly for tailored guidance.