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Aug 25 • General Discussion 💬
Lost a $50k project because I insisted on using Python. Client hired someone with n8n. They delivered in 2 days.
THE $50K OPPORTUNITY
Healthcare network needed document processing.
- 50 clinics
- 30,000 patient forms monthly
- Budget: $50,000 setup + $5,000/month
- Timeline: 2 weeks
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MY 2-HOUR "IMPRESSIVE" PITCH
"I'll build you an enterprise-grade solution!"
The architecture:
- Custom Python application
- Dockerized microservices
- Kubernetes orchestration
- React dashboard
- Machine learning models
- 6-week timeline
Their response: "We'll think about it."
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THE OTHER CONSULTANT'S 15-MINUTE DEMO
He opened his laptop.
"Let me show you something."
Built it LIVE:
1. n8n webhook → receives forms
2. PDF extraction → handles any format
3. Direct to EMR → their existing system
"That's it. Deploy tomorrow. $50k."
They signed immediately.
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THE PAINFUL PHONE CALL
I had to know what I did wrong.
Me: "Your solution must be sophisticated"
Him: "11 nodes"
Me: "Development time?"
Him: "6 hours"
Me: "Maintenance?"
Him: "Maybe 2 hours monthly"
My solution: 240 hours to build
His solution: 6 hours
His profit margin: 90%
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WHAT I LEARNED THAT DAY
❌ Clients don't buy code
✅ Clients buy outcomes
❌ "Enterprise-grade" impresses developers
✅ "It works tomorrow" impresses CEOs
❌ Complex solutions show capability
✅ Simple solutions show confidence
❌ 6-week timelines show thoroughness
✅ 2-day delivery shows competence
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HOW I CHANGED EVERYTHING
BEFORE (First 6 months):
- Python everything
- Average project: 6 weeks
- Close rate: 20%
- Monthly revenue: $3k
AFTER (Last 6 months):
- n8n/Make for everything
- Average project: 4 hours
- Close rate: 65%
- Monthly revenue: $16,500
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THE EXACT PIVOT
Stopped selling: "Custom Python solutions"
Started selling: "Works by Monday"
Stopped building: What I thought was impressive
Started building: What actually solves problems
Stopped pricing: Development hours
Started pricing: Value delivered
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CURRENT REALITY
That $50k loss taught me:
- Simple beats sophisticated
- Fast beats perfect
- Working beats impressive
Now when clients ask about my tech stack:
"Whatever gets you results fastest."
Revenue from Python projects: $0
Revenue from n8n workflows: $16,500/month
Best $50k I ever lost.
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What expensive lesson forced you to abandon your favorite technology? 💔
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Lost a $50k project because I insisted on using Python. Client hired someone with n8n. They delivered in 2 days.
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