Season 1 | Episode 36: The Real ROI of Business Automation for Small and Mid Sized Companies
Show Notes:
In this episode of C-Suite Secrets, Heather Parsons sits down with Austin Reed, founder of Horizon Developments, to unpack how automation, AI, and smart systems can help small and mid sized businesses scale without burning out their founders.
Austin shares his entrepreneurial journey, including the early growing pains of hiring too slowly, learning how to manage people, and building systems that allow sales and delivery to scale at the same time. He breaks down the most common low hanging automation opportunities he sees in businesses, including admin tasks, customer onboarding, CRM and ERP connections, reporting, and data management.
The conversation dives into real world examples of automation wins, including how one client saved 20 to 30 hours per week by replacing manual processes with custom dashboards. Heather and Austin discuss why automation should solve real business problems rather than simply adding more technology, and how better data visibility leads to stronger decision making and improved financial outcomes.
Austin also shares his perspective on the future of SaaS, micro SaaS products, and AI driven development. He explains why human oversight, security, and scalability still matter, even as AI accelerates software creation. The episode closes with insights on leadership, protecting founder time, building offshore and near shore teams, and the importance of persistence, mentorship, and thoughtful partnerships in entrepreneurship.
This episode is packed with actionable insights for founders looking to automate intelligently, scale sustainably, and design a business that supports both growth and freedom.
Bio:
Austin Reed is the founder and CEO of Horizon Development, an automation and software agency specializing in custom Django/React web apps, AI-powered workflows, and N8N systems for SMBs. With over a decade of programming experience, he’s built a reputation for turning messy business operations into scalable, automated machines. Austin also runs a fast-growing YouTube channel teaching automation, AI, and agency building to thousands of students, helping creators and entrepreneurs turn technical skills into real revenue.
To connect with our guest, click on the links below:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/automationsexpert
Connect with me:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-parsons-cfo/
https://heatherparsons.com/links
Join the C-Suite Insiders Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/csuiteinsiders
🎁Get your free checklist to Turn Your Business Success into Lasting Wealth https://info.thesummitcfo.com/investment-readiness-checklist
