You’ve duct-taped your service business together with tools and automations. But now things are breaking, you’re chasing Zapier errors, and client delivery is starting to feel like a drag. What if the next step wasn’t hiring a team or flattening your services—but turning your system into the service?

In this episode, we're geeking out with Dylan Kinder, founder and CEO of DataCose, about how service-based businesses can scale by transforming parts of their delivery into software. We explore how to spot the signs that you’re ready to make that shift, where to start, and why automation and AI don’t have to mean less human work—just less draining work.

Whether you’re dreaming of fewer tabs, smoother client onboarding, or a more proactive delivery experience, Dylan brings a thoughtful, non-spammy approach to scaling with tech. We’re diving deep into internal vs. client-facing tools, the role of AI in small business, and how to avoid building a digital Frankenstein.

What You’ll Learn:

• The two biggest signals it’s time to turn part of your service into software
• Why internal automation is the best starting point
• How to think like an engineer (even if you're not one)
• The role of client portals in scaling calm service delivery
• Why AI should be used with human oversight—not instead of it

Connect with Dylan:
LinkedIn
DataCose

Connect with Susan:
LinkedIn
BlueSky

Work With Susan:
Explore how we can build calm systems together → https://beyondmargins.com/services

• (00:00) - Introduction: The Struggles of Scaling a Service Business
• (00:43) - Reimagining Service Delivery with Smart Systems
• (02:12) - Exploring Automation and AI with Dylan Kinder
• (03:06) - The Two Paths to Scaling a Service Business
• (10:28) - Real-World Examples of Successful Automation
• (24:33) - The Role of AI in Modern Service Businesses
• (34:35) - Conclusion: Building Margin and Calm with Technology

Grab the Calm Service Design + Delivery Swipe File here