Business idea · Agency
Custom Automation Skills Development
Custom Automation Skills Development is a service that builds tailored automation skills for businesses on their existing infrastructure, allowing them to automate specific tasks efficiently. It was pitched on The Side Hustle Show, hosted by Nick Loper, in the episode "765: The $50k/mo One-Person Agency" (aired October 15, 2026).
At a glance
| Podcast | The Side Hustle Show |
|---|---|
| Hosted by | Nick Loper |
| Episode | 765: The $50k/mo One-Person Agency |
| Aired | October 15, 2026 |
| Category | Agency |
| Real companies on the episode | lemonbrand.io, Lemon Brand, Local Gym (unnamed), AI Sherpa Program |
The problem it solves
Many companies struggle with generic automation solutions that do not fit their unique processes; this service offers customized skills to meet individual needs.
How it makes money
One-time setup fee for custom skills development, followed by ongoing maintenance and updates for a monthly fee.
Skills you need
Technical skills in AI development, programming, strong problem-solving abilities, and an understanding of client business processes.
The market, and why this works now
Most businesses waste resources on off-the-shelf automation tools that fail to address their unique workflows. The rise of tools like Zapier and Microsoft Power Automate allows for tailored integrations that can be built quickly on existing infrastructure. A practical first-revenue move is to target clients through the r/Entrepreneur subreddit, where many seek solutions to improve efficiency. Founders will encounter a significant hurdle in the first year as they navigate the complexities of integrating custom solutions into diverse client IT environments, which can increase labor intensity and extend project timelines.
Our analysis, written after the episode. Not a quote from the show.
Real companies discussed on this episode
- lemonbrand.io
A digital agency and consultancy that leverages AI agents to automate business processes for clients.
- Lemon Brand
A company that offers AI consulting and automation solutions tailored to the specific needs of businesses.
- Local Gym (unnamed)
A gym that required assistance with web development and automation to improve client engagement and retention.
- AI Sherpa Program
A service that helps businesses automate repetitive tasks using AI tools and provides personalized human interaction to ensure successful implementation.
Where this idea came from
Podcast: The Side Hustle Show, hosted by Nick Loper
Episode: 765: The $50k/mo One-Person Agency
Aired:
Summarized from the episode transcript. The show does not say which speaker raised each idea, so we credit the show, not a person.