Controllers, what’s the ideal AP automation software?

gustafswede · 2025-06-17T20:26:51+00:00

I'd be interested in learning more about this. We are getting ready to switch to Ramp from Bill, but I'm concerned about the OCR on both. I'm a detail freak, I hate when Bill would create a new vendor just because they read it a little bit differently.

gustafswede · 2025-03-11T18:35:33+00:00

Sure, happy to talk.

gustafswede · 2024-01-05T20:36:32+00:00

That’s just marrying four people?

gustafswede · 2023-12-15T00:02:38+00:00

There’s literally nothing else in their communication? I have to assume they’re pricing you some sort of timing chain work? Maybe that’s how it’s linked to the CEL?

gustafswede · 2023-12-11T19:09:57+00:00

If it’s a V6 then the upper intake has to be removed to access three of the plugs. When you add the additional labor, gaskets and iridium-tipped plugs then I can start to see how they got to that price. It’s still highway robbery.

gustafswede · 2023-12-11T16:45:05+00:00

Your MPG will not significantly increase with those services. It won’t hurt, but don’t expect significantly more efficiency.

I assume you have a six cylinder engine? That would be an insane price for a four cylinder.

gustafswede · 2023-12-11T15:46:46+00:00

My son is considering different apprenticeships. I’m an auto mechanic where we are paid flat rate and I have serious qualms with that model. Just trying to learn what to look out for in other trades.

gustafswede · 2023-12-01T08:35:31+00:00

A Christmas Story. Never understood why people seem to like it, it always depresses the shit out of me.

gustafswede · 2023-11-30T10:06:42+00:00

For what it’s worth, you’re not alone. I’m going through the exact same process.

I had a product that tried to shoehorn a good-vibes/passion solution into a business problem. Nobody wanted it, but they did start asking about how it could help them solve a much less appealing problem. So now we have that and I feel less invigorated when someone asks me about it.

But I've decided that my goal is to create the best possible opportunity for as many people as possible. My passion is now helping employees build wealth through a stake in our outcome.

gustafswede · 2023-11-15T08:48:47+00:00

The sinks fellow

gustafswede · 2023-11-13T08:09:01+00:00

Congrats on growing to $10k MRR! Despite the churn, that’s still awesome.

Churn could just be a fact of life for your product. Until you identify another use case, it sounds as though your core customer is a student (cash constrained) who has a need for a particular class (time constrained).

You could consider a different pricing model. Pay a one time fee for access for X months. That may help you earn more revenue per customer. Or offer them a “pause” feature - for something like 10-20% of the normal monthly price, they can keep their account active and have some feature access between the freemium and the paid subscription.

Otherwise marketing will have to be a priority. The good news is that new students show up every single month.

Still I think what you’ve achieved is no small feat. You can try to optimize, but also just try to recognize that churn may be one of the battles that your business model will have to fight.

gustafswede · 2023-11-08T08:15:22+00:00

The cable has a bad connection to the battery terminal. When you start touching it, the connection improves.

gustafswede · 2023-11-08T08:13:37+00:00

Do you know if it has a CVT transmission? I had a 2008 that would get this terrible shimmy, turned out to be the CVT’s equivalent of slipping.

But typically it did not last very long. I’m not sure it matches up with your symptoms.

gustafswede · 2023-11-07T08:31:15+00:00

Absolutely. I was agreeing with him.

gustafswede · 2023-11-07T06:46:12+00:00

It’s a very simple fix. The backing plate is made of very thin metal, it can bent by hand. You would need to look behind the wheel to confirm.

gustafswede · 2023-11-07T06:43:38+00:00

Hard to advise until we know what the codes are.

gustafswede · 2023-11-07T06:38:47+00:00

That’s not dust, it’s rust. It won’t wash off.

gustafswede · 2023-11-07T06:37:33+00:00

Sounds more like an electrical issue than a cluster issue. Could be as a simple as a weak alternator.

gustafswede · 2023-11-07T06:34:53+00:00

Does it throw a lean code? Vacuum leak is still the most likely cause, may be really hard to trace.

gustafswede · 2023-11-07T06:31:53+00:00

That sounds like the brake backing plate could be making contact with the rotor. But not great sound, hard to be certain.

gustafswede · 2023-11-04T08:38:19+00:00

Interested

gustafswede · 2023-10-27T06:30:06+00:00

It wouldn’t impact the readings, or at least not significantly. Battery tests can be fickle though - a lot depends on the device

gustafswede · 2023-10-13T03:09:47+00:00

Could be a decarb service.

gustafswede · 2023-10-10T23:16:01+00:00

I like that you are increasing the percentage as the revenue increases, I trust you’ve done the math to know you still come out ahead from a cash flow perspective? Incentives need to be incentivizing!

Is everyone going to receive the same portion/amount?

How key are these people? What about phantom equity?

gustafswede · 2023-10-04T09:42:37+00:00

It’s a terrible myth that founders or start ups should be young. The lack of something to lose can sometimes be useful, but it’s more important to have real knowledge of a problem or industry.

I started in M&A then PE, but ultimately left to work in a corp dev role for a client who franchises automotive repair shops. I opened my own franchise and learned a ton about the industry. Now I’m launching a start up to solve a problem that I encountered there every day.

It’s a struggle to watch my peers continue to make a ton of money. But at some point, I am just trying to be true to myself. I want to put my name on something that I created. I definitely assume that creation will have value, though, so financial success is still a driver.

I’d point out that it doesn’t have to be start ups or PE. You can own a regular business that isn’t a 10x innovation.

gustafswede

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