AI for Entrepreneurs: Working Smarter Without Losing Your Human Edge
Join us for an in-person SPARK VIU Speaker Series session with Rachel Krayenhoff van de Leur, AI Educator & Advisor, as she demystifies how entrepreneurs can use AI in a practical, people-first way.
Rachel is a two-time founder who believes technology should serve people, not the other way around. With over six years of experience building businesses from the ground up, she focuses on helping entrepreneurs use AI to handle the heavy lifting, so they can stay focused on building authentic, values-driven businesses.
In this session, Rachel will cut through the AI hype and overwhelm to show how entrepreneurs can integrate AI into their workflows without complex tech stacks, and without losing their voice. Drawing from her own entrepreneurial journey, she’ll share how AI can become a true business partner rather than just another tool.
Rachel will explore:
- How to navigate today’s AI landscape without overwhelm
- What it really means to develop an AI-first mindset
- How to choose and set up one “frontier model” (like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude)
- How she built her consulting business using AI — from planning and branding to marketing and operations
- A brief overview of AI safety and security best practices
This session is ideal for students and early-stage entrepreneurs who want to work smarter, reduce busy work, and build a business that stays human at its core. Open to the entire VIU community, including students, staff, faculty, alumni, and the wider community.
For more information, contact Peggy Janssens or Lindsay Frehlick.
