🏢 For Small & Local Businesses

Self-Hosted AI Agents for Small & Local Businesses

I set up and maintain your own reliable Hermes Agent on your VPS. You own it. I keep it running — so you can focus on growing your business.

MSc Computing • 20+ Years Web Development • Army Communications Veteran

📅 Book a Free 20-Min Discovery Call See How It Works ↓
Why Hermes Local

Built for Small Business Owners, Not IT Departments

Your AI assistant lives on your own server. No data centres you don't control, no surprise bills, no enterprise complexity — just a reliable AI worker tailored for your business.

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Full Ownership & Privacy

Your data stays yours — on your VPS or hardware. No third-party cloud slurping up your conversations or customer info. Total data sovereignty.

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Always-On AI Worker

A customised Hermes Agent tailored for your team. Handles scheduling, drafting, research, customer responses — 24/7, no coffee breaks.

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Affordable & Predictable

Simple pricing — no per-seat licence fees, no API overage shocks. From £15/month hosting plus a transparent setup and maintenance retainer.

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Expert Local Support

Remote setup and ongoing maintenance from a consultant who speaks plain English. No outsourced helpdesk. No enterprise complexity. Just reliable support.

The Process

How I Get Your Hermes Agent Running

A clear, collaborative process — all done remotely. Six steps from first chat to fully operational AI assistant.

Step 01

Discovery Call

We discuss your business needs, workflows, and what you'd like your Hermes Agent to handle. No jargon — just a friendly conversation about how AI can help.

Step 02

VPS Guidance

I'll recommend affordable hosting (Hetzner, Contabo, Hostinger) or hardware options. You sign up directly — the server is yours from day one.

Step 03

Remote Installation

I securely connect and install your Hermes Agent with Docker sandboxing, firewall rules, and all security best practices. Usually done within a few hours.

Step 04

Integrations & Training

I connect your agent to the tools you already use — email, calendar, Slack, CRM. Then a remote training session so you and your team know exactly how to use it.

Step 05

Handover

Full control is yours. You own the server, the agent, the data. I hand over all credentials and documentation — nothing is locked to me.

Step 06

Ongoing Maintenance

Monthly retainer support keeps your agent updated, secure, and optimised. I monitor proactively from a central Hermes Agent so issues are often fixed before you notice.

Pricing

Transparent Packages for Every Stage

Choose the right setup for your business. All packages include remote installation, configuration, handover, and ongoing monthly support.

⭐ Good Starter

VPS Starter

Best for: Solo operators & small teams starting out

Hosting: Hetzner Cloud, Contabo, or Hostinger Server Guru Anonymous VPS
Spec: 4 vCPU / 8GB+ RAM
Monthly Running Cost: £15 – £35 total
£497 setup + £147/mo

Client pays VPS provider directly. AI API usage is separate and pay-as-you-go.

Mac Mini

Best for: Most small businesses — performance, silence & privacy

Hardware: Apple Mac Mini M4 / M4 Pro
RAM: 24–48GB
Hardware Cost: ~£999 – £1,699 one-time
Monthly Running Cost: £20 – £45
£747 setup + £197/mo

You purchase the Mac Mini directly. I set everything up remotely.

Hardware Pro

Best for: Heavier workloads or strong local AI needs

Hardware: Mini PC with NVIDIA RTX 4070+
Hardware Cost: ~£1,600 – £2,800 one-time
Monthly Running Cost: £25 – £60
£947+ setup + £247/mo

For businesses needing maximum on-premise AI performance. Custom quotes available.

⚙️ Important Realities About Self-Hosted AI

  • Initial setup takes some coordination — that's where I help most.
  • Performance depends on your chosen hardware/VPS and the AI model you run.
  • You'll still need to review and guide the agent, especially in the beginning.
  • Advanced custom workflows may require occasional refinement over time.

These are the main reasons most successful small business users work with an expert for setup and ongoing support.

About Me

Hello there, I'm the builder chap.

With an MSc in Computing, over 20 years in web design and development, and a background in Army Communications, I bring a rare blend of technical depth, security-conscious thinking, and clear, practical communication to every project.

My Army training instilled a commitment to reliable systems, secure protocols, and training people thoroughly — not just handing over tech and disappearing. I love helping small and local businesses cut through the AI hype and get a genuinely useful, private AI assistant working for them — without the technical headaches.

If you want an AI that works for you, not a data centre that works off you, let's talk.

🎓 MSc Computing 💻 20+ Years Web Dev 🪖 Army Communications 🔐 Security-First Mindset 🗣️ Clear Communication
Security & Peace of Mind

Your Agent Is Locked Down Tight

Every deployment follows security practices informed by my Army Communications background. Here's what protects your system:

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Docker Sandboxing

Non-root execution with read-only filesystems. Your agent runs in a tightly controlled container.

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Proactive Monitoring

My central Hermes Agent watches for anomalies, performance issues, and security alerts — often before you notice.

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Tailscale Secure Access

All remote connections go through encrypted Tailscale tunnels. No exposed ports, no vulnerable entry points.

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Strict Firewall Rules

Minimal exposed ports. Only necessary traffic gets through. Everything else is blocked by default.

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Regular Updates & Backups

Security patches applied promptly. Automated backups so your data is never at risk of loss.

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Credential Isolation

API keys and credentials are isolated with prompt injection protection — your agent can't leak what it can't access.

FAQ

Common Questions

Straightforward answers to the things small business owners usually ask.

Yes — everything from the discovery call to installation, training, and ongoing maintenance is done remotely via secure connections. You don't need to be in the same city (or even the same country). All you need is an internet connection and a willingness to let me guide you through the simple bits.

Very secure — arguably more secure than cloud AI services. Your data never leaves your VPS or hardware. I implement Docker sandboxing, strict firewall rules, Tailscale encrypted tunnels, non-root execution, and regular security updates. My Army Communications background means security is baked into every deployment, not bolted on afterwards.

You can cancel anytime. Since you own the server and the agent, nothing stops working — you just lose my proactive monitoring and maintenance. I'll hand over all documentation so you or another provider can take over. No lock-in, no drama.

Not at all. That's the whole point of my service. I handle the technical setup, security, and ongoing maintenance. During the training session, I'll show you and your team how to interact with the agent using plain English — no coding, no command lines, no technical jargon.

Typically, the remote installation is completed within a few hours once your VPS or hardware is ready. The whole process — from discovery call to handover — usually spans about a week, depending on scheduling and any custom integrations you need.

Yes. Hermes Agents can connect to email, calendars, Slack, CRM systems, and many other common business tools. During the discovery call, we'll map out your workflows and identify the best integrations for your needs. Custom integrations may require additional configuration time.

Ready to Get Your Own AI Agent?

Book a free 20-minute discovery call. We'll discuss your business, your needs, and whether a self-hosted Hermes Agent is the right fit. No pressure, no hard sell — just honest advice from someone who's been in tech for over 20 years.

📅 Book Free Call

Or email me directly: hello@hermeslocal.work