$0
when idle — pay-as-you-go
24/7
operates while you sleep
0
apps to install or learn
What small business owners actually need from an AI assistant
Most AI tools are designed for knowledge workers at a desk. They're chat interfaces — useful when you're typing, invisible when you're running your business. For small business owners, that's not enough.
According to a 2025 SCORE survey, the #1 time drain for small business owners is administrative tasks: scheduling, follow-up emails, status tracking, and reminders. These are exactly the tasks that never get done — not because owners don't want to do them, but because there's always something more pressing.
Deputy handles them. You text it like you'd text an assistant — "Follow up with Mike on Friday if I haven't heard back" — and it does it. No app to check, no workflow to build, no subscription to justify.
What Deputy does for your business
Deputy handles the tasks that pile up when you're busy running everything else:
Lead follow-up — automatically
"Follow up with Sarah on Tuesday if she hasn't replied." Deputy monitors and follows up on schedule. Leads don't go cold.
Calendar management
Schedule meetings, block focus time, reschedule conflicts — all over text. No back-and-forth, no opening apps.
Email drafting and sending
Draft and send emails on your behalf. Proposal follow-ups, thank-you notes, scheduling confirmations — handled.
Recurring reminders and briefings
"Every Monday morning, send me a summary of my week." Set it once, runs indefinitely. No reminders to set reminders.
Research and summaries
Research a prospect, summarize a competitor's website, pull together a market overview — texted to you as a brief.
How it compares to hiring or subscribing
A part-time human assistant costs $15–25/hour — typically $500–1,000/month for meaningful coverage. AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude cost $20/month each, but they don't take action and require you at the keyboard. Deputy gives you execution-layer assistance at pennies per task.
| Option | Monthly cost | Takes action? | Works 24/7? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deputy | <$30/mo typical | Yes | Yes |
| Part-time human assistant | $500–1,000/mo | Yes | No |
| ChatGPT Plus | $20/mo | No | No |
| Lindy (automation) | $50–100/mo | Yes (setup req.) | Yes |
Start free. Pay only when Deputy works for you.
No subscription. No app. Just text. Pay only when Deputy works for you.
Get Started Free →"Someone that wants time back or an always-on personal assistant/sidekick. Usually someone that's either just lazy enough to want to do the right thing once, or a tireless self-improver and optimizer."
Louis Amira
Founder & CEO, Deputy / Circuit & Chisel
FAQ
What can Deputy do for a small business owner?
Deputy manages your calendar, drafts and sends emails, follows up on leads automatically, sets reminders, and handles recurring tasks — all over text message, 24/7. No app to install, no setup required. You text Deputy instructions the way you'd text a human assistant.
How much does Deputy cost for small businesses?
Deputy uses pay-as-you-go pricing — you pay only when Deputy does work for you. There's no monthly subscription and no minimum spend. Most users spend a few dollars a month. You can start free and only pay when you get value.
Does Deputy work for businesses without a dedicated assistant?
Yes — Deputy is designed specifically for individuals and small businesses that don't have a human assistant. It handles the kinds of tasks a human EA would take off your plate: scheduling, follow-ups, research, reminders, and recurring tasks.
How does Deputy follow up on leads?
You tell Deputy who to follow up with and when. "Follow up with John on Friday if he hasn't replied" — Deputy sends the follow-up at the right time and reports back. You can set it to escalate if there's still no response, or to stop once a reply comes in.
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