A one-person AI automation consultancy sells retainers from about $2,500 a month, starting with inbox audits
Simon Bergeron says his second client paid $2,500 upfront, then a $1,500 monthly retainer, and is still a client three years later.
Subject: Simon Bergeron (Lemonbrand.io)Inbox audits plus monthly AI automation retainers for 5 to 200 person businesses
Case Overview & Background
Simon Bergeron runs Lemonbrand.io, a one-person AI consultancy for teams of 5 to 200 people. His second client, a gym owner, paid a $2,500 lump sum that became a $1,500 a month retainer, and is still a client three years later. He now starts with an inbox audit at about $1,500 and sells retainers from about $2,500 a month.
How AI Is Used
Step-by-Step Process
About $1,500, credited against a retainer.
Agents classify emails and map recurring tasks.
Retainer from about $2,500 a month, 90-day minimum.
Customer Acquisition & Distribution
Limitations, Risks & Failure Modes
What may not apply to you, and what could go wrong:
- Self-reported per-client prices, not total revenue
- Inbox access involves sensitive client data and data protection rules
- Active service work, not passive income
Key Takeaways
- A low-priced audit can open a recurring retainer
- Small, steady automations keep clients longer than flashy builds
Sources
The Side Hustle Show 765: The $50k/mo One-Person Agency (transcript)
Note: Transcript; client figures at 06:33-08:00, pricing at 25:07 and 34:27. The episode title's $50k/mo figure is the host's framing and is not used here.
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