Kokunari · Compare
Compare
Kokunari vs hiring an AI engineer
Hiring an AI engineer makes sense once a brand has a steady stream of AI projects and someone to manage them. For a $1–10M brand that needs three to five workflows built and running, a 90-day sprint with Kokunari costs about what one quarter of an engineer's salary does, includes e-commerce know-how from 8 years running an Amazon agency, and leaves your team trained to run what was built.
When hiring an AI engineer is the better choice
- You have a steady stream of AI projects, not a handful of workflows
- Someone on your team can manage an engineer and set priorities
- You want the know-how to sit inside the company full time
When Kokunari fits
- You need three to five workflows built and running, not a new department
- You want someone who already knows how an Amazon or Shopify team works
- You want your team trained to run what was built, and to own all code and accounts
How Kokunari differs
- E-commerce only: Amazon, Shopify and DTC brands doing roughly $1–10M a year.
- The founder builds everything: Mick Keufer builds the workflows himself with Claude Code, five Private AI Partner brands at a time.
- Fixed price: one fixed price per sprint, agreed on the call before the work starts.
- Guarantees: a full refund if the week-1 roadmap isn't worth the fee, and free extra work if the hours saved or the AI visibility targets aren't met. See all four.
Side by side
| Kokunari | Hiring an AI engineer | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | A 90-day sprint: roles mapped, three workflows built and running, team trained | A full-time employee |
| E-commerce know-how | 8 years running a 15-person Amazon agency | Depends on who you hire |
| Commitment | One sprint, then optional AI Ops Care | Salary, recruiting and management |
| Best for | Brands doing roughly $1–10M a year with three to five workflows to build | Brands with a steady stream of AI projects and someone to manage them |