Business Process & Automation
A two-hour, behind-the-scenes look at how we actually run Cove Blades — the logistics, the automation, the money side, and the decisions that keep it working. This isn’t a setup session. It’s a conversation about what we do and why.
$200
What This Is
This is a candid, two-hour discussion about the operational side of running a sharpening business. I’ll walk you through exactly how Cove Blades works — the tools, the workflows, the automation, the pricing, and the mistakes I made along the way.
The goal is to give you a realistic picture of what the business actually looks like day to day, so you can make informed decisions about how to build yours. Some of what we do will apply directly. Some of it won’t fit your market or your style. Either way, you’ll leave with a clear map of what’s possible and what it costs.
This is not a hands-on build session — if you want to actually set up your website, AI assistant, and business tools in one sitting, that’s the Build Your Business with AI workshop.
What We’ll Cover
Mobile service logistics
Route planning, van setup, power systems (inverter + batteries), appointment scheduling, and how to serve a geographic area without wasting drive time.
Drop-off & pickup workflow
Setting up a drop box, managing intake without being home, labelling systems, turnaround commitments, and how drop-off scales alongside mobile.
AI call handling
How our AI voice agent answers every inbound call 24/7 — greeting, answering questions, quoting prices, and directing callers to book online. What it cost to set up and what it saves.
SMS & text automation
Automatic replies, appointment reminders, customer creation from inbound texts, and the two-number system we use to separate personal from business messaging.
Booking, invoicing & payments
Online booking with deposits, Stripe checkout, Interac e-Transfer, invoice generation, and how we collect payment before the knife leaves our hands.
Customer management & pricing
How we track customers, set pricing by service type, handle restaurant accounts versus residential, and the upsells that increase average ticket size.
The Playbook
A snapshot of the systems and decisions behind a working sharpening service.
Mobile vs. Drop-Off vs. Both
We run mobile and drop-off simultaneously. The mobile van handles scheduled appointments across a service area — route planning, drive time, parking logistics, and the power setup (inverter, batteries, car charging) that lets us sharpen anywhere with level ground.
Drop-off runs 24/7 through a drop box at the home shop. No appointments needed, no interaction required — customers leave knives, we sharpen and notify when done. I’ll walk through how both channels feed each other and why running both is easier than picking one.
Calls, Texts & AI
Every inbound call hits an AI voice agent that answers questions, quotes prices, describes the service, and directs callers to book online. It runs 24/7 and handles the calls I can’t pick up — which is most of them, since I’m usually sharpening.
Inbound texts get automatic replies with booking links and service info. New numbers are automatically created as customer records. I’ll show you the actual system, what it cost to set up, and the monthly running cost.
Getting Paid
Online bookings collect a deposit via Stripe before the appointment is confirmed. Invoices go out by email with a pay-by-card or e-Transfer option. Drop-off customers pay on pickup via the same channels. I’ll talk through the actual flow — from the moment a customer books to the moment you have the money.
We’ll also cover pricing strategy: per-knife versus per-inch, residential versus restaurant accounts, how to price mobile versus drop-off, and the upsells (thinning, repair, polish) that increase average ticket size without adding much time.
Finding & Keeping Customers
Google Business Profile, local SEO, social media, word-of-mouth, and restaurant cold outreach — what actually brought in customers and what didn’t. I’ll share real numbers where I can.
We’ll also talk about the service area question — how far is too far for mobile, when to add a second drop-off point, and how to think about geographic expansion without burning fuel for thin margins.
How It Works
This is a one-on-one conversation, not a classroom lecture. Two hours, in person or over a call, depending on your preference. Bring questions — the session works best when it follows wherever your specific situation leads.
Some students take this before they start sharpening, to understand the business model before committing. Others take it after the One-Inch Grinder course, once they have the skill and want to figure out the commercial side. Both approaches work.
If after the discussion you decide you want hands-on help actually building out your systems, the Build Your Business with AI workshop is the natural next step — that’s where we sit down together and set everything up.
Coming Soon
This module is currently being finalized. Reach out if you’d like to be notified when enrollment opens.
604 210 8180Want to Talk First?
Happy to chat about what the session covers and whether it fits where you are in the process.