Just ask. Book a call or send me a message. No pressure, no pitch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers. No fluff.
General
What do you actually do?
I help businesses stop wasting time on things that should be automatic.
That usually means one of these:
- Automation - Connecting your tools so data flows without manual work
- CRM cleanup - Fixing your messy data so you can actually trust it
- Custom dashboards - Building views that show what matters, not what the software defaults to
- AI integration - Using AI for analysis, content, or pattern recognition at scale
- Web design - Building websites that work for you, not just look good
Most projects combine a few of these. The goal is always the same: give you time back and make your systems actually work.
How much does this cost?
It depends on the problem. Here's the honest range:
| Type of Work | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Single automation or integration | $2,500 - $5,000 |
| CRM cleanup or data work | $3,000 - $12,000 |
| Custom dashboard or internal tool | $4,000 - $15,000 |
| AI analysis or content system | $5,000 - $20,000 |
| Website (business site) | $3,000 - $8,000 |
| Website with automation built in | $5,000 - $12,000 |
| Comprehensive system overhaul | $10,000 - $25,000 |
I price based on what the problem is costing you, not how many hours it takes me. If the math doesn't work, I'll tell you.
Do you charge hourly or fixed price?
Fixed price for most projects. You'll know the total cost upfront before we start.
I break projects into milestones so you're never paying for work that hasn't been done. Discovery first, then build, then testing and handoff. You approve each phase before we move to the next.
Do you offer payment plans?
For larger projects, yes. We can structure milestones in a way that spreads the investment out over the project timeline. Just ask.
What's the minimum project size?
There's no hard minimum, but most projects start around $2,500. Smaller projects can work if they're genuinely quick or if there's potential for an ongoing relationship.
If your budget is tight, I'm happy to point you toward resources or simpler solutions that might work for your situation.
Process
How does this work?
1. We talk. You tell me what's broken. I ask questions. We figure out if I can help.
2. Discovery. I get into your systems, confirm the approach works, and map out exactly what needs to happen. This is usually $200-400 and credits toward the full project.
3. Build. I build the thing. You get updates along the way. No surprises.
4. Testing and handoff. We make sure it works. I document everything. You're not dependent on me to understand your own system.
5. Support. I stick around to make sure it's actually working in the real world.
What if I don't know what I need?
That's fine. Most people don't.
You know something's not working. You know it's costing you time or money or sanity. You just don't know what the fix looks like.
That's my job to figure out. The discovery call is free. We'll talk through what's happening and I'll tell you what I think makes sense, even if the answer is "you don't need me."
Will I understand how it works when you're done?
Yes. Every project includes documentation. Plain English, not technical jargon.
I also do a handoff walkthrough so you know how everything works. The goal is for you to not need me for day-to-day stuff. You should be able to make simple changes yourself.
What if something breaks after you're done?
I include a support window after every project (usually 2-4 weeks depending on scope). If something's not working right, I fix it.
After that, you can reach out anytime if something comes up. I'm not going to leave you hanging on something I built. For ongoing support, I offer retainer arrangements so you have someone who knows your systems on call.
Timeline
How long does a typical project take?
| Type of Work | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|
| Single automation | 1-2 weeks |
| CRM cleanup | 2-4 weeks |
| Custom dashboard | 2-4 weeks |
| AI integration | 3-6 weeks |
| Website | 2-4 weeks |
| Comprehensive system | 4-8 weeks |
I'll give you a realistic timeline upfront. I'd rather under-promise and over-deliver than the other way around.
How quickly can you start?
Usually within a week or two. Depends on what's already on my plate.
If you have a hard deadline, tell me upfront and I'll let you know if I can hit it.
What's your availability like?
I work Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm Central. I'm not a 24/7 operation, and I don't pretend to be.
For active projects, you can expect responses within a business day, usually faster. I'm not going to leave you waiting for days.
Automation
What tools do you use for automation?
Depends on the project. I work with n8n, Make.com, Zapier, custom code, APIs, whatever makes sense.
I'm not loyal to any particular platform. I use what fits your situation, your budget, and your team's ability to maintain it.
Can you connect [System A] to [System B]?
Probably. If both systems have an API (most modern software does), I can connect them. If you're not sure, ask. I'll tell you in the first conversation whether it's doable.
Common integrations I've built: CRM to email, e-commerce to inventory, forms to databases, spreadsheets to everything, Slack notifications, calendar syncing, and hundreds of custom combinations.
What's the difference between automation and custom software?
Automation connects existing tools and makes data flow between them automatically. You're still using the same software, just without the manual work.
Custom software is building something new, like a dashboard, internal tool, or portal that doesn't exist anywhere else.
Most projects are automation. Custom software is for when off-the-shelf tools can't do what you need.
CRM and Data
My CRM is a mess. Can you fix it?
Yes. CRM cleanup is one of my most common projects.
Typical issues I fix:
- Duplicate records
- Missing or inconsistent data
- Contacts in spreadsheets instead of the CRM
- Custom fields that don't make sense
- Integrations that broke or never worked
- Data that nobody trusts
The goal is one source of truth that everyone actually uses.
Do you work with [specific CRM]?
I work with most major CRMs: HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive, Zoho, Monday, Airtable, Notion, and others. If yours isn't on the list, ask. The approach is usually similar.
Can you migrate data from one system to another?
Yes. I've done CRM migrations, spreadsheet to database moves, and platform switches. The key is mapping the data correctly and not losing anything in the process.
Custom Software and Dashboards
What kind of custom tools do you build?
Internal tools that your team uses every day:
- Dashboards that show the metrics that matter to you
- Client portals for sharing information
- Admin panels for managing data
- Reporting tools that pull from multiple sources
- Calculators, configurators, or workflow tools
If you're copy-pasting between spreadsheets or wishing your software had a feature it doesn't, that's usually a sign you need something custom.
Why not just use off-the-shelf software?
Sometimes you should. If there's a tool that does exactly what you need, use it.
But off-the-shelf software is built for everyone, which means it's not built for you specifically. Custom tools are built around how you actually work, not how the software thinks you should work.
AI
What kind of AI work do you do?
Practical AI that solves real problems:
- Analysis - Finding patterns in large datasets, categorization, anomaly detection
- Content - Product descriptions, personalized communications, reports at scale
- Summarization - Turning long documents or conversations into actionable summaries
- Extraction - Pulling structured data from unstructured sources
I don't do chatbots or gimmicks. I use AI where it genuinely saves time or finds insights humans would miss.
Is AI actually useful for my business?
Maybe. AI works well when you have:
- High volume (lots of data or content to process)
- Pattern-based decisions (categorization, scoring, recommendations)
- Repeatable tasks (same type of analysis over and over)
If you're not sure, we can talk through it. Sometimes the answer is "not yet" or "not for this problem."
Web Design
Do you still do web design?
Yes, but it's not my primary focus anymore.
I build websites for businesses that want something functional and professional without the agency price tag. Most of my web projects are for existing automation clients who need a site refresh, or businesses that want automation built into their website from the start.
What kind of websites do you build?
Business websites, not e-commerce platforms or complex web apps. Typical projects:
- Company websites (5-15 pages)
- Landing pages
- Service business sites
- Portfolio sites
- Websites with integrated forms, booking, or lead capture automation
If you need a massive e-commerce site or a web application, I can point you to someone better suited.
What platforms do you use for websites?
Depends on the project. Common options:
- Webflow - For design-heavy sites that need to be easy to edit
- WordPress - For clients who want full control and lots of plugins
- Framer - For modern, fast sites with clean design
- Custom code - When nothing else fits
I'll recommend what makes sense for your situation, not what's easiest for me.
How is web design connected to automation?
A website that just sits there is a missed opportunity.
I build websites that work for you:
- Forms that feed directly into your CRM
- Lead capture that triggers automated follow-up
- Booking systems that sync with your calendar
- Content that updates automatically from your other systems
Most web designers hand you a site and walk away. I make sure the site is connected to the rest of your business.
Working Together
Do you do calls or is everything async?
Both. Discovery starts with a call so I can actually understand your situation. During the build, most communication is async: messages, updates, questions as they come up.
If we need to hop on a call to work through something, we do. I'm not trying to rack up meeting hours, but I'm not avoiding conversation either.
Are you a one-person shop or a team?
It's me. I do the work myself.
That means you're not getting handed off to a junior person after the sales call. The person you talk to is the person who builds your system.
What if we're not a good fit?
I'll tell you. If I don't think I can help, or if someone else would be better suited, I'll say so.
I'd rather have a short honest conversation than waste both our time on a project that doesn't make sense.
Can you work with my existing developer or IT team?
Yes. I'm happy to collaborate with your existing team, hand things off to them, or work alongside them.
Whatever makes the project successful.
What's your refund policy?
Discovery fees are non-refundable. That's real work and you keep everything I document, even if we don't proceed.
For the build phase, we work in milestones. You approve each milestone before I start the next one. If we need to part ways, you pay for completed work and keep everything that's been built.
I've never had a project end badly. But if it did, I'd handle it fairly.