We Streamlined Our Business Model And Still Make 6-Figures Per Year [Update]
This is a follow up story for Modern Launch. If you're interested in reading how they got started, published over 2 years ago, check it out here.
Hello again! Remind us who you are and what business you started.
My name is Cody Benedetto and my co-founder is Ryan Serkes. We are the founders of the software development company, Modern Launch. We work with startups and growth-focused businesses to plan, design, and develop custom websites and software applications.
Today, our core focus is helping founders and business owners who are ready to take the first steps toward building unique software solutions and minimum viable products (MVPs). Over the years, we developed a comprehensive blueprint process for planning and scoping software development projects. We’ve worked hard to systematize this process and changed the way we qualify clients, define scopes of work, and set projects up for success from the beginning.
Tell us about what you’ve been up to. Has the business been growing?
Since the last update, we’ve completely changed our approach to vetting, quoting, and onboarding new clients. Our process now begins with a comprehensive Scope of Work, a detailed action plan that outlines the project from the very start.
This initial step ensures we fully grasp our clients' needs and visions, enabling us to provide precise estimates and meticulously plan the development process from the start. We offer this Blueprint package, which includes the following:
Scope of Work Package (Software Blueprint)
White Glove Discovery Call: Engage in an in-depth consultation with one of our product managers to uncover every detail and requirement necessary to build your product.
Comprehensive Action Plan: Receive a detailed and actionable plan for moving forward with your project, which you retain for your records.
Precise Project Quote: Get a precise project quote along with suggestions for the most suitable technology stack.
Development Cost Savings: If you choose to proceed with the build, the cost of the development will be reduced through proper planning
This has helped to accomplish the following:
Streamlines Initial Planning: Our clients can now immediately initiate the planning stages of the project with the guidance of a product expert, without the requirement of a large financial investment.
Enhances Team Focus: Provides our product and engineering teams with more time and resources to thoroughly understand the intricacies of each unique project before scoping and quoting.
Delivers Actionable Plans: Provides clients with a detailed and actionable plan to build and launch their projects successfully.
Qualifying the Relationship: This helps us identify clients who are genuinely committed to building and launching custom software.
If you’d like to see a sample of a project Blueprint, please feel free to contact me here and I’m happy to send over additional information.
We've been focused on making our business more efficient by streamlining processes and reducing errors through automation. One of our major initiatives this year has been developing our own "Project Portal." Currently used internally, it allows us to track project progress in real-time, manage time-tracking for both individuals and teams, and handle invoicing. In a few months, we'll start onboarding clients to the portal.
This custom system lets us avoid relying on costly third-party services and keeps everything under our control. We have some exciting new features planned and look forward to bringing our clients on board.
What have been your biggest challenges in the last year?
Aside from vetting and qualifying leads, maintaining a consistent and scalable sales pipeline has been an ongoing challenge. This is a common struggle for most service-based businesses, and at times, it can feel like an uphill battle. Despite these challenges, we've made significant strides in refining our approach and improving our processes.
However, we recognize that there's still much work to be done, particularly in enhancing our outbound lead generation efforts. Our team is dedicated to continuously experimenting with new strategies and refining existing ones to ensure we can consistently attract high-quality leads.
One of the most impactful changes we've made is productizing our Scope of Work package. By offering a tangible service upfront, we've been able to more effectively market our capabilities and set clear expectations from the start. This shift has been a game-changer for us, providing a more structured and appealing entry point for potential clients as we scale our digital marketing campaigns.
However, we acknowledge that we are still far from reaching our goals at scale. We're actively exploring different avenues to attract potential clients, including innovative marketing techniques and building strategic partnerships with other businesses and organizations.
Emphasize the impact of process improvement across all aspects of your business. Avoid sticking to old routines simply because they're familiar.
What have been your biggest lessons learned in the last year?
One lesson I wish we had learned sooner is the importance of providing greater transparency into our processes for our clients. Last year, we noticed some glaring inconsistencies and communication breakdowns that could have been avoided with the right level of transparency. This quickly became a priority, and we worked diligently to build better systems to keep all parties informed and aligned.
Now, we share project planning boards directly with clients upon onboarding, providing them with full visibility. Additionally, we set up private communication channels to facilitate collaboration among all stakeholders. Soon, we’ll be onboarding clients to our proprietary portal for even more visibility.
What’s in the plans for the upcoming year, and the next 5 years?
This year, our two main goals are to scale sales for the Scope of Work Package and continue building out our portal to become a more powerful resource to drive operational efficiency. Digital and Affiliate marketing is our prime focus to drive interest and sales. Affiliate marketing will allow us to build strategic partnerships and tap into new networks, extending our reach.
We are committed to refining our marketing efforts, optimizing our campaigns, and exploring new channels to generate interest and drive sales. Our ultimate goal is to make the Scope of Work Package an essential starting point for all of our clients, setting them up for success from day one.
As we expand our custom software development services, we plan to integrate AI into more projects to boost performance and reach new milestones. AI is already a big part of what we do, and we're working to help more of our clients take advantage of untapped capabilities. What drives us is helping our clients find ways to grow and improve their businesses.
We're excited about using our expertise to show businesses where technology can make a real difference. Whether it's making operations smoother, enhancing customer experiences, or making smarter business decisions, we're here to help clients discover new possibilities and achieve their goals.
What’s the best thing you read in the last year?
Ryan and I try to stay in tune to what’s going on in the world of business, technology, and politics as they’re all intertwined. Some of our favorite sources of news and inspiration are:
- Pivot Podcast: “Every Tuesday and Friday, tech journalist Kara Swisher and NYU Professor Scott Galloway offer sharp, unfiltered insights into the biggest stories in tech, business, and politics.”
- Morning Brew Daily: “A daily talk show that covers the latest news on business, the economy, and everything else, with Neal Freyman and Toby Howell. Witty, informative, and everything you need to start your day.”
- NYT - The Daily: “This is how the news should sound. Twenty minutes a day, five days a week, hosted by Michael Barbaro and Sabrina Tavernise and powered by New York Times journalism.”
- WSJ - The Journal: “The most important stories, explained through the lens of business. A podcast about money, business and power. Hosted by Kate Linebaugh and Ryan Knutson, with Jessica Mendoza.”
Advice for other entrepreneurs who might be struggling to grow their business?
- Emphasize the impact of process improvement across all aspects of your business. Avoid sticking to old routines simply because they're familiar. Regularly review processes to identify opportunities for enhancement, automation, or elimination.
- If you haven't started using AI in your daily operations, now's the time to explore its benefits. There are numerous user-friendly tools available that don't require technical expertise. I encourage professionals from all industries to explore AI tools, discover their potential, and integrate them into their workflows. We're big fans of GTM w/ AI, a newsletter offering quick insights into AI tools that optimize the sales funnel. It's a great resource for anyone looking to stay updated on the latest advancements in AI technology.
Are you looking to hire for certain positions right now?
We are on the hunt for an affiliate marketing manager to help us build relationships and manage our strategic affiliate partnerships, specifically for selling our Scope of Work package. If you or anyone you know has experience in affiliate marketing, we’d love to hear from you.
Additionally, if anyone is interested in becoming a referral partner with us, I’d love to have a chat.
Affiliate Marketing Manager
Key Responsibilities:
- Identify and evaluate potential affiliate sites/marketplaces relevant to our services.
- Set up our presence on 1-3 affiliate platforms.
- Help to develop a strategic plan to attract and recruit high-quality affiliates.
- Provide feedback and direction on what materials are needed to manage affiliate relationships. We need someone who can come in and tell us what we need to create/supply to attract and retain affiliate partners.
- Identify opportunities for growth and expansion within the affiliate marketing channel.
- Manage, maintain, and grow affiliate partnerships
- Drive sales through affiliate partnerships
Qualifications:
- Proven experience in affiliate marketing, preferably in the software development or technology sector.
- Strong understanding of affiliate networks, marketplaces, and best practices.
- Excellent analytical skills and the ability to interpret data to make informed decisions.
- Strong communication and relationship management skills.
- Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
- Proficiency in using affiliate marketing tools and platforms.
- Creative thinker with a strategic mindset.
Where can we go to learn more?
If you have any questions or comments, drop a comment below!
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
