Turning a vision into reality is never an easy journey, and the path to success is often paved with challenges and hard-earned lessons. This is especially true for one entrepreneur who, despite a rocky start, managed to build an IT automation company from scratch.
In this article, we’ll explore his journey and show how, through hard work and perseverance, he brought his vision to life, achieving around $40,000 a month in revenue — a solid achievement for a startup, even if most of it wasn’t recurring!
It all started with him exploring no-code app development on bubble.io. However, it didn’t take long for him to realize that the niche market wasn’t as profitable as he had hoped. So, he shifted his focus, eager to explore new opportunities with his clients.
About a year ago, he launched Cerum Solutions, a company devoted to helping businesses streamline their operations through technical consultation and custom automations.
Their mission was clear: to identify inefficiencies and create solutions that really made a difference. They tackled everything from CRM automations to AI chatbots, eager to enhance workflows across various industries.
In the beginning, they jumped into the AI hype, creating MVPs and innovative products. But soon they discovered something crucial: there were simpler, more impactful areas to focus on. Instead of developing complex new products requiring large teams, they realized that automating straightforward tasks — like setting up dashboards in Salesforce — delivered faster results and happier clients. Suddenly, businesses were more willing to invest because they could clearly see the benefits.
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. The entrepreneur experienced ups and downs in revenue, which made them hesitant to hire new team members. They frequently took on many roles, juggling technical projects and feeling the pressure. Then came a turning point: they decided to hire their first employee to concentrate on growth. Unable to afford a U.S.-based developer, they turned to Upwork. The first few hires didn’t work out, but things changed when they found a skilled developer from the Philippines. After just a week of getting settled, this developer stepped up, took charge of client calls, and quickly became a crucial member of the team.
From this journey, the entrepreneur learned how essential it was to delegate and build a solid team with clear SOPs. They realized that focusing on key activities — like sales and content creation — was far more effective than trying to do everything themselves. They also faced the challenge of hiring quality talent at reasonable prices. Many outsourcing firms charged high fees, but they and their partner figured out how to connect directly with local talent, cutting out the middlemen and saving money.
This breakthrough led to the creation of Hire Seamlessly, a new venture aimed at helping businesses hire exceptional talent without the hefty price tag. They offered access to the same talent pool that fueled their IT automation success, ensuring transparency and efficiency in the hiring process.
Ultimately, this entrepreneur discovered the power of exploring less glamorous niches and embracing innovative strategies like content marketing. For anyone starting their first business, service-based models are a fantastic way to solve real-world problems and spark fresh ideas.
Q&A
How do you consistently attract clients? Is it through your network? Any tips for hiring on Upwork?
Absolutely! I’m an open book. In the beginning, I focused heavily on content marketing, creating valuable resources that led to client referrals. Plus, my partner had over a decade of experience in consulting, which helped us gain traction.
As for hiring on Upwork, I’ve moved away from that. I found that many people would outsource the work, so you never really got the true value. Now, I hire exclusively through my own firm, connecting with top technical talent directly in the Philippines and Latin America — often for as little as $12 an hour. If you're interested, check out Hire Seamlessly!
How did you find your first clients? It seems like getting that initial foot in the door is the hardest part.
Great question! I started by creating simple tutorials online for automation tasks, especially right when the AI hype was taking off. That timing really boosted my SEO and lead generation. From there, I relied on referrals and word of mouth.
My advice for anyone starting out is to create valuable resources for free — like eBooks, courses, or tutorials. This builds trust and familiarity, making it easier to engage potential clients. And don’t forget to include a call to action!
As Alex Hormozi often says, it’s all about keeping it simple. Just focus on one niche and one solid offer to really make an impact.
How do you build and implement your SOPs?
The key is to keep SOPs short and concise. I like to use Loom to record myself walking through the SOPs, sharing my thought process along the way. This visual aid helps new hires understand better.
At my new company, Hire Seamlessly, we have everyone create their SOPs using a video format on Notion. It’s much easier for them to follow, and they can comment with any questions they have. My partner has successfully trained over 200 virtual assistants, so we’ve really honed this process. I’d be happy to share some examples if you’re interested!
How do you determine your pricing? Do you go by hourly rates, or is there a better approach?
Great question! It really depends on the service or product. Initially, we used fixed-rate costs for MVPs. Now, we typically offer monthly retainers or hourly rates.
For instance, if a client needs a specific task done, I might charge them $X per hour, even though it only costs us half that. It’s crucial to leave room for taxes and salaries while still being profitable. This approach has allowed for scalability, especially when bringing on talented hires.
When I hire, I look for candidates who not only meet the technical requirements but also excel in client interactions. This has enabled me to step back and concentrate more on growth.
What are your thoughts on MVPs?
Building MVPs can be a double-edged sword. They’re great for testing ideas, but the success largely depends on the people involved. Sometimes, you work with fantastic partners, but other times, it can be a struggle that costs more than it’s worth.
If a product doesn’t gain traction, it can feel like a waste of resources — time, talent, and money. We often found ourselves pouring effort into projects without the necessary marketing or distribution to back them up. When clients pivoted or changed their minds, it only made things harder.
Eventually, I got so frustrated that I started declining new requests unless I had prior experience with the client and knew they were professional and had the funds to follow through.
Conclusion
Building a successful IT automation company from scratch is challenging, but this story shows how dedication and strategic adjustments can lead to great results. Starting with no-code apps and evolving into IT automation, he built a business generating $40,000 a month.
The key takeaways are to adapt to market needs, use content marketing effectively, and focus on practical solutions. Hiring talent directly and streamlining processes were crucial, leading to the creation of Hire Seamlessly.
For aspiring business owners, this case study highlights that success often comes from simplifying solutions, delegating tasks, and staying adaptable. Apply these insights to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
