I automated my lead generation workflow. Here's what broke (and what I learned fixing it) 😅 The goal: Search Google Maps for businesses → Scrape websites for emails → Verify them → Save to Google Sheets. All automated. Sounds simple, right? It wasn't. Reality: Nothing worked the first time. I watched a YouTube video few months earlier and was trying to find a way to find emails of businesses for FREE. What broke (and what I learned): 🔴 Problem: I tried Apify but the limits were Hit in 2 days. Fix: I built an email pattern generator (info@, contact@, sales@) Lesson: Check API limits BEFORE you build 🔴 Problem: Getting emails like [email protected] (lol) My pattern generator got emails with www. Fix: One line code fixed "www." Lesson: Test with 1 item first, not 50 🔴 Problem: "Too Many Requests" errors everywhere Fix: Added a loop with 1-second delays between requests Lesson: Rate limiting is about workflow structure, not just code 🔴 Problem: All my data disappeared after API calls Fix: I used set data node to preserve data Lesson: Data doesn't magically stick around—you have to design for it 🔴 Problem: Paid API's everywhere 💀 The main problem with lead generations is to get verified emails and these are not FREE. Fix: Cut patterns from 15 to 6 per business (still works!) Lesson: Free tiers force you to optimize (not a bad thing) The real takeaway? Not every automation project is a portfolio piece. Sometimes the real value is in what broke and how you fixed it. After all the fixes: I can now generate 100-200 verified leads in 15 days, fully automated. But honestly? The debugging taught me more than the final result. Quick question: How you handle paid APIs costs

Level7 Design + LendText – Shipping AI That Closes Deals Hey AI Automation Society! We've been heads-down building real-world AI solutions that turn leads into revenue. Here's what we're doing + looking for collaborators across all levels. What We're Shipping Now: 1. LendText.com – SMS AI Lead Conversion - AI engages leads instantly (24/7) across SMS, chat, web - Multilingual, learns your brand voice, proven conversion lift - Live for local businesses + enterprise teams 2. Roofing Ops Automation (Live Implementation) Full end-to-end system: CRM workflows → paperwork → scheduling → inspector reports → work orders → materials → billing 8-phase deployment underway with contractor partner. 3. Lead Signal System (Active Testing) AI scans top online communities for service signals → qualification team enriches → contractors access qualified opportunities Generating inventory now The Play: Build Once. Productize. Scale Everywhere. Level7 Design = custom AI ops systems for service businesses LendText = always-on lead conversion engine Together = complete revenue machine for contractors, agencies, vertical SaaS Collaboration Partners Wanted: Sales Partners – Resell our stack to your network Setters – Join qualification team (Own your leads) Direct Clients – Roofing, HVAC, solar, pest control ready for AI ops Referral Partners – Connectors with contractor networks Tech Collaborators – Community signal detection, CRM integrations Proof Points: - LendText deployments live with measurable ROI (up to 30% conversion lift) - Contractor ops system in active implementation (8 phases mapped) - Lead qualification team scaling daily (2+ setters live) - Roofing revenue partnerships secured (multiple contractors testing) We're shipping daily. Not theorizing. DM me anytime – sales partners, setters, clients, tech collabs, referrals. Let's build revenue machines together. Nicholas | Level7 Design + LendText LinkedIn | LendText.com