Right now we're seeing like $25k months, and this has been completely un-organic. The beauty of this and the revenue numbers that we're doing is we're spending no money on ads currently. I've done no cold outbound emails, I haven't sent a single cold DM - everything that we're doing is just through people finding out about what I'm working on.

I think in hindsight what I realized is like we chose one of the hardest problems to solve - conversations and building trust is such a dynamic process and it takes such a high level of conversation in order for those things to convert. What we realized was that by niching down and focusing on coaches and consultants, that was going to be the bread and butter, but it turns out it's evolved more into the small business and influencer category where we're seeing more success.

Mostly our ticket price now is about 5 figures per deployment, all the way up to $25,000 depending on the use case and involvement. We also do the agency hybrid SaaS model where we charge a monthly recurring revenue to come in and do maintenance.

The average appointment setter buildout for us is super simple. We ask the client to collect 25-40 best case scenario set appointments, we run conversation analysis and reverse engineer a persona to match their brand voice, and then integrate with tools like Voiceflow, Reper, and Airtable. The client just gets a Manychat link to plug and play.

We love having a lot of communication and involvement with the client, bringing them into a custom Slack channel so we can really dial in the deployment. For people not familiar, these messages are coming inbound - the client can put the Manychat link anywhere to trigger the conversation.

Right now we're seeing $25k months, and this has been completely un-organic. I've done no cold outreach, it's all been through word-of-mouth and people in my network finding out about what I'm working on. The beauty of this is we're spending no money on ads currently.

The key has been niching down, building a great product and process, and having an amazing team. I'm not a developer, but I was able to find a technical co-founder through connections in the community who has been instrumental in rapidly iterating and deploying our solutions.

Community has been huge - getting involved, being helpful, and building relationships has opened so many doors. I really can't stress enough how important that has been. If you're looking to get started in this space, focus on providing value first, build your network, and don't be afraid to start small and iterate.

As an AI agency owner, Isaiah has faced the challenges of niching down, building a strong technical foundation, and leveraging community connections. Here are the key points from his journey:

Niching Down is Crucial

• Niching down allowed Isaiah's team to become experts in a specific problem (appointment setting) and deliver a high-quality solution.
• However, niching doesn't mean a one-size-fits-all approach. Each client deployment requires customization to integrate with their existing systems and processes.
• The niche focus laid a strong foundation, but also opened the door for more generalized AI automation solutions as the team's capabilities grew.

The Power of a Technical Co-Founder

• Finding the right technical co-founder, Schwen Ming, was a game-changer for Isaiah's agency.
• Having a skilled developer who could rapidly iterate on the product was essential for turning the vision into a functional, scalable solution.
• The division of responsibilities - Isaiah handling sales, marketing, and strategy, while Schwen Ming led the technical execution - allowed the business to thrive.

Leveraging Community Connections

• Isaiah emphasizes the importance of being active in relevant communities, both online and in-person.
• Connections made through Liam's accelerator program and mastermind events led to valuable introductions, including Schwen Ming becoming the technical co-founder.
• Being helpful and providing value to others in the community, without expectation of immediate return, has built Isaiah's reputation as an authority in the AI automation space.

Manage Expectations and Start Small

• Isaiah cautions against overpromising and underdelivering, which can damage reputation and integrity.
• Advises starting small, focusing on what you can manage, and gradually scaling as you gain experience and build a track record.
• Recognizes that while top-line revenue numbers may be impressive, the true measure of success is sustainable profitability and growth.

By niching down, finding the right technical partner, and leveraging community connections, Isaiah has built a thriving AI automation agency. His story highlights the importance of patience, adaptability, and a commitment to delivering high-quality solutions for clients.

The key points from this section are:

1. Community is Crucial: Every person Isaiah has interacted with in the AI space has emphasized the importance of community. Getting involved in communities like Liam's free community is crucial for networking, finding talent, getting ideas, and overall growth.

2. In-Person Connections: The in-person connections made at events like Liam's Dubai Mastermind have been incredibly valuable. Meeting people face-to-face and building those relationships can be life-changing.

3. Mindset Shifts: Participating in these communities and events can lead to significant mindset shifts that open people up to new possibilities. The community aspect is incredibly rewarding.

4. Saying No is Important: When you niche down, you have to get good at saying no to opportunities that don't fit your focus. This discipline is key to building a successful niche agency.

5. Start Small, Build a Foundation: It's important not to overpromise and underdeliver when starting out. Begin with small, manageable projects to build experience and credibility before scaling.

6. Leverage Your Network: Reaching out to your existing network and letting them know what you're working on can open up unexpected doors. People want to support those they know and trust.

The overarching message is that community, both online and in-person, is absolutely vital in the AI space. Getting involved, building relationships, and leveraging your network are crucial steps to finding success.

Pros of a Niche Agency:

1. Expertise and Authority: By focusing on a specific industry or problem, a niche agency can develop deep expertise and become an authority in that domain. This can help attract the right clients and command higher prices.

2. Efficiency and Scalability: With a narrower focus, a niche agency can streamline its processes, develop specialized tools and workflows, and scale more efficiently compared to a generalist agency.

3. Differentiation: In a crowded market, a niche agency can stand out and differentiate itself from the competition, making it more attractive to potential clients.

4. Higher Margins: Niche agencies often have the ability to charge premium prices due to their specialized expertise and the value they provide to their clients.

Cons of a Niche Agency:

1. Limited Market Size: By focusing on a specific niche, the potential client base may be smaller compared to a generalist agency. This can limit the overall growth potential of the business.

2. Vulnerability to Market Changes: If the niche market experiences a downturn or significant changes, a niche agency may be more vulnerable compared to a generalist agency that can pivot to other areas.

3. Difficulty Expanding: Transitioning from a niche to a more generalist agency can be challenging, as it may require significant changes to the agency's processes, team, and offerings.

4. Potential for Saturation: As more agencies recognize the benefits of niching down, the market for a specific niche may become saturated, making it harder to stand out and maintain a competitive advantage.

Pros of a General Agency:

1. Broader Client Base: A general agency can serve a wider range of clients across different industries, reducing the risk of relying on a single market or client type.

2. Flexibility and Adaptability: General agencies can more easily pivot and adapt to changing market conditions, client needs, or emerging trends.

3. Opportunities for Cross-Selling: A general agency can offer a broader range of services to its clients, creating opportunities for cross-selling and upselling.

4. Potential for Economies of Scale: With a larger client base and a more diverse service offering, a general agency may be able to achieve greater economies of scale in areas like operations, technology, and talent management.

Cons of a General Agency:

1. Lack of Specialization: Without a specific niche, a general agency may struggle to develop deep expertise in any particular area, making it harder to differentiate itself and command premium prices.

2. Increased Competition: In a generalist market, agencies may face more competition from both other generalist agencies and specialized niche players.

3. Difficulty in Positioning: It can be challenging for a general agency to effectively communicate its value proposition and unique selling points to potential clients.

4. Potential for Lower Margins: Without the ability to charge premium prices due to specialized expertise, general agencies may face pressure on their profit margins.

Ultimately, the decision to pursue a niche or general agency approach depends on the specific goals, resources, and market conditions of the business. Many successful agencies find a balance by starting with a niche focus and gradually expanding their offerings and client base over time.

Here are some key tips for aspiring AI agency owners based on Isaiah's journey:

1. Start Small and Manage Expectations: Don't try to overpromise and underdeliver. Start with something you can manage and build a solid foundation first. Avoid the temptation to chase the "get-rich-quick" promises.

2. Leverage Communities and Connections: Get involved in relevant communities, messaging threads, and private groups. This will help you build your network, gain experience, and find opportunities. Reaching out to your existing connections is also valuable.

3. Focus on Transparency and Integrity: Be authentic and transparent in your approach. Operate with integrity - this will help you build trust and credibility in the long run.

4. Niche Down, Then Expand: Niching down allows you to become an expert in a specific problem. This expertise can then be leveraged to expand into more custom and generalized solutions over time.

5. Prioritize Product and Process: Invest in building a high-quality product and streamlined processes. This will enable you to scale more effectively and provide better value to clients.

6. Find the Right Technical Co-founder: Having a skilled technical partner who can rapidly iterate and deploy solutions is crucial, especially for non-technical founders.

7. Lengthen Your Time Horizon: Building a successful AI agency takes time. Be patient and focus on long-term growth, rather than chasing short-term "home runs".

8. Provide Value Without Expectation: Help others in your network clear up confusion around AI and automation. This can lead to unexpected opportunities down the line.

The key takeaway is to approach this space with a long-term mindset, focus on building a solid foundation, and leverage the power of community and connections. Consistent effort and integrity will be rewarded in this rapidly evolving industry.

As an AI agency owner, Isaiah has demonstrated the power of focus, community, and technical expertise in building a successful business. Here are the key takeaways from his story:

1. Niche Down: By niching down into the appointment setting space, Isaiah and his team were able to develop a specialized solution that addressed a specific problem. This allowed them to become experts in their field and provide high-quality services to their clients.

2. Leverage Community: Isaiah's involvement in Liam's community and the accelerator program was instrumental in his success. He was able to connect with a technical co-founder, receive valuable feedback, and tap into a network of like-minded individuals.

3. Iterate and Adapt: The appointment setting solution evolved over time, as Isaiah and his team responded to market feedback and adjusted their approach. They were willing to pivot and explore new opportunities, such as working with influencers and small businesses.

4. Prioritize Scalability: From the outset, Isaiah and his team focused on building scalable systems and processes. This allowed them to deliver high-quality services while maintaining a lean operation and healthy profit margins.

5. Manage Expectations: Isaiah cautions against overpromising and underdelivering. He emphasizes the importance of setting realistic expectations and being transparent about the capabilities and limitations of AI-powered solutions.

6. Leverage Your Network: By reaching out to his existing network and sharing his journey, Isaiah was able to position himself as an authority in the AI automation space. This opened up new opportunities and allowed him to provide value to others without the pressure of immediate financial gain.

The key takeaway for anyone interested in starting an AI agency is to focus on building a solid foundation, leveraging community, and being willing to adapt and iterate. By following Isaiah's example, you can increase your chances of success in this rapidly evolving industry.