🤖 Business 2027 • Pickup Pilot & Launch Tracker

Dom & Scott's Launch Checklist

🚀 Pickup Pilot #1 (Tai + Squeegee API) • Idea 9 (AI Automation Pilots) • Idea 11 (Cyber Essentials) • Idea 16 (Fire + PAT)

1 of 35 chunks completed 3%
Pilot #1 Status
Squeegee API Ready ✅
Immediate Next Step
Step 2: Scoped Key + GET Test
Target Net Margin
65%–85% (≥35% Rule)
Pilot #1 Target
Tai (Tide Window Cleaning)
🔥 What's the Next Bit Right Now? Pilot #1: 1/10 steps done

Step 2 (Next Up): Generate a Read-First Scoped Key in Squeegee (Admin > API) & Run 1 Test GET Call

Create an active key scoped to read Customers, Jobs/Work Planner & Quotes first (so nothing in Tai's live diary can be overwritten while testing), then run 1 test GET request to inspect the JSON fields before wiring Twilio + OpenAI.

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🔌 How Pickup Connects to Squeegee API (v1.57.10 Early Access) Zero Double-Entry

Squeegee's API Early Access (released Oct 2026) lets Owners/Admins generate scoped API keys under Admin > API (with Active, Disabled, and Deleted tabs) covering Customers, Work Planner/Jobs, Quotes, Alerts, and Address Verification.

Step in Call/SMS FlowWhat Pickup DoesSqueegee API Action
1. Missed Call / Inbound SMSCaller rings Tai while he's up a ladder (diverts after 20s) or texts the Pickup number.Lookup caller phone number in Squeegee Customers endpoint.
2A. If Existing CustomerGreets by name & answers routine schedule questions automatically.Reads Next Due Date, Last Done Date & Overdue Amount (added in v1.57.10).
2B. If New LeadSends instant SMS within 15s asking for postcode + property size / job type.Checks Address Verification & sees which days Tai's round is near that postcode.
3. Lead Handoff & BookingCreates draft quote/callback & texts Tai a 1-click summary.Creates draft Quote / Alert in Squeegee (or books into Tai's preferred callback slot).

📋 The 4 Rules to Confirm with Tai (Step 4 Cheat-Sheet)

Hey Tai, now that we've got the Squeegee API hooked up, I just need 4 quick rules from you so the AI never promises anything daft: 1. POSTCODES: Which postcodes are an instant "Yes we cover that area", and which ones should it politely turn down? 2. PRICING vs QUOTE VISIT: For new window/gutter enquiries, do you want it to give a rough guide range (e.g. 3-bed semi £X–£Y) or just grab their address + house size and book a quick quote visit / callback? 3. CALLBACK WINDOWS: What time of day do you prefer returning quote calls (e.g. 12:30–1:00pm or 4:30–5:30pm after your round)? 4. EXISTING CUSTOMERS: When an existing customer calls asking "When are you next due?", are you happy for it to read their Next Due Date straight from Squeegee and text them back automatically?

1. The "Case Study Pilot" Offer Structure High Conversion

Why not free? Busy business owners ignore free tools. Charging a modest setup fee gives them skin in the game while making it a no-brainer vs the normal £1,500–£2,500 agency fee.

ElementStandard Agency PriceYour 3-Pilot Case Study Deal
Setup Fee (1 Core Workflow)£1,500 – £3,000£300 – £500 fixed (covers build & setup)
Monthly Tool Usage (Make + OpenAI + Twilio)£20 – £40/moClient pays directly (~£20/mo on their card)
Month 1 Support£350 – £600/moIncluded in pilot (30-day live test)
Month 2+ Retainer£350 – £600/mo£250/mo — only if it saves/makes ≥3x that in Month 1
What You Get Back—Before/after stats + short video or written testimonial

2. Casual WhatsApp / Voice-Note Pitch (For 3 Businesses You Already Know)

Hey [Name], hope all's good! Quick one — Scott and I are launching a new side business building simple automated workflows for UK service businesses (stuff like instant missed-call text-back & quote triage, or automatic quote/invoice chasing so nothing slips through the cracks). Before we roll it out at full price (£1,500+ setup), we're picking 3 businesses we already know and trust to run a 30-day Case Study Pilot at cost. I've built a live working demo on my phone you can test in 60 seconds. Have you got 15 mins this week for a quick coffee or screen-share so I can show you and see what admin job annoys you most right now?

3. 15-Minute Question-Based Discovery Script (Dom's QBS Flow)

1. THE PAIN: "When a new enquiry calls or messages while you're on a job or busy, what actually happens right now? How many do you reckon ring the next firm on Google before you call back?" 2. THE COST: "Roughly what's an average job worth to you? So losing even 2 leads a month is £1,000–£2,000+ gone?" 3. THE LIVE DEMO: "Call this test number on my phone right now and hang up." -> [Phone texts them back in 10 seconds, asks what job they need + postcode, logs it, and sends the owner a 1-click draft quote summary]. 4. THE CLOSE: "We can plug this exact flow into your business in 5 days for a £350 pilot setup. We track every lead it catches for 30 days. If it doesn't pay for itself at least 3x over, you owe us nothing more. If you love it, it's £250/mo for us to maintain and tweak it. Shall we get yours live next week?"

Idea 9: Done-For-You AI Automation for Small Firms (Pickup) 65%–85% Net (2 Founders)

Scaled Net Margin: 35%–55% if productised (cloning the same 3 templates across clients).
Startup Cost: £150–£350 (ICO £40/yr, insurance ~£150/yr, domain/test number).
Why #1 to start: Global online reach, tiny startup cost, and you already have Pilot #1 (Tai + Squeegee API) in motion.

Idea 11: Cyber Essentials Readiness & Renewal 70%–85% Net (2 Founders)

Do you need CCIO or IASME licence? No. CCIO is an NHS role, and under official IASME rules any IT consultant can prepare a business for Cyber Essentials with £0 in licence fees (the client pays the £320–£440+VAT assessment fee directly to IASME).
Startup Cost: £150–£500.
Best move: Use as a high-margin bolt-on to Idea 9 ("AI Workflows + Cyber Essentials Security").

Idea 16: PAT Testing + Fire Extinguisher Servicing 65%–80% Solo / ~30.7% Employed

Margin Watchout: Hits 65%–80% net while you two do the testing, but verified UK listings (Daltons Bucks PAT firm on £153k turnover) drop to 30.7% net once technicians are hired unless you bundle PAT + Fire Extinguishers + replacement units on one visit.
Startup Cost: £1,800–£2,900 (City & Guilds 2377 PAT + tester + 4-day BAFE fire extinguisher course + kit). Offline & UK-only.

Ideas Cut by the ≥35% Net Margin Rule

IdeaTypical Scaled Net MarginWhy It Misses 35%
Idea 2: Subcontracted Cleaning Middleman15% – 25%Subcontractors take 65%–75% of revenue
Idea 8: Airbnb / Lettings Turnovers15% – 25%Tight turnaround labour & travel costs
Idea 13: Video Clipping Agency20% – 30%Editor labour & high creator churn
Idea 17: Kitchen Extract (TR19) Cleaning27.4% – 34.1%Verified UK listings (Manchester 34.1%, Bolton 27.4%) sit just below 35%
Idea 18: Event Cleaning & Stewarding26% – 30%High casual payroll & insurance costs