YesChef - Website Development Agency

Oct 28

How James Battye Scaled and Delegated His Web Development Agency in 2 Months

The Problem:

James Battye, founder of YesChef (a web development agency), was trapped in a "one-person prison." Despite good revenue after one year in business, he was working 12+ hours daily, 7 days a week, handling all client work personally. He was burning out and had created a job for himself rather than owning a scalable business.

The Solution

Systemify implemented their proven 4-step framework that transformed James's agency:

1. Define Core Offer

Mapped out James's entire customer journey from lead to completion
Streamlined processes to eliminate inefficiencies and reduce decision branches
Created a linear, standardized workflow covering:
- Lead management
- Sales process
- Service fulfillment
Result: A crystal-clear, replicable process with minimal variations

2. Develop Systems

Built a centralized system using Notion as the hub connected to all tools
Created two core databases: Clients and Tasks
Implemented automated task creation based on client status changes
Developed personal dashboards for team members
Key Innovation: Comprehensive documentation (SOPs) linked directly to each automated task, enabling immediate execution without training

3. Deploy Automation

Used Make.com to integrate all tools with the Notion system
Automated high-leverage, frequently repeated activities
Example automation: Client onboarding that automatically:
- Creates Slack channels
- Sets up Google Drive folders
- Sends client communications
- Updates records and payment tracking

4. Draft Dream Team

Applied the same 4D process to hiring and team management
Built systems to manage candidate pipeline and onboarding
Hired the first developer from South Africa within 2 months

The Results

80% reduction in James's hands-on development time within one month of first hire
2x revenue growth in 90 days
James went from 12-hour days to having so much free time he didn't know what to do
Business now runs independently, allowing James to focus on strategy and growth
Currently scaling to hire additional developers with systems in place to reach $1M revenue

The difference between scalable agencies and "one-person prisons" is systems. Agencies without systems are capped by the owner's working hours, while those with proper systems can scale infinitely through delegation and automation.

Tech Stack Used:
Notion (hub), Calendly, Google Forms, Tango, Stripe, Slack, Google Drive/Workspace, MailerLite, Make.com, Zoom, Webflow