How I Can Help

Example capabilities from past projects

Getting technology working when you're starting from nothing—or when what you have isn't working—is the hardest part. Maybe you're still on paper and need to go digital. Maybe you're using an old system that's causing more stress than it's solving. Maybe you just don't know where to begin.

That's exactly what Cold Start Lab does: help you figure out what makes sense, then build it using reliable, cost-effective tools that won't trap you with one vendor. The examples below show work I've done, but every situation is different—if you have a problem that needs solving, let's talk about it.

Local service in El Dorado and Placer Counties (Georgetown, Cool, Lotus, Pilot Hill, Greenwood, Garden Valley, Kelsey areas) with remote consultations also available.

Discovery & Planning Work

Before building anything, I work with you to understand your situation, goals, and constraints. This discovery phase typically includes understanding your current operations, identifying pain points and opportunities, evaluating technical options, creating a roadmap, and estimating time and costs. This ensures we're building the right thing and you have clarity before committing to development.

Examples:

→Requirements analysis
→Technical evaluation
→Roadmap creation
→Cost estimation
→Risk assessment

Start with discovery

or discuss your specific needs

Purpose-Driven Websites

I build websites focused on what you actually need them to do - whether that's presenting information clearly, capturing leads, or selling products. Every design choice serves a purpose: clear navigation, readable text, fast loading, and mobile compatibility. No unnecessary animations or trendy features that don't help your visitors accomplish their goals. The result is a professional site that works reliably and grows with your business.

Examples:

→Business websites
→E-commerce stores
→Landing pages
→Documentation sites
→Portfolio sites

Discuss your website

or discuss your specific needs

Automation & Workflow Improvement

Repetitive tasks drain time and introduce errors. I identify workflows worth automating and build custom solutions that handle the tedious work. This might mean automated data entry, scheduled report generation, file organization systems, or integration between tools you already use. The goal is freeing your time for work that requires human judgment while the computer handles the predictable stuff.

Examples:

→Data processing automation
→Report generation
→File management
→Tool integration
→Scheduled tasks

Automate repetitive work

or discuss your specific needs

Infrastructure & Self-Hosting

Some businesses need control over their infrastructure rather than relying entirely on cloud services. I build and maintain self-hosted systems - setting up servers, configuring networks, implementing backups, and ensuring security. This gives you ownership of your data and independence from vendor lock-in, while still maintaining reliability and security. Particularly valuable for businesses with specific compliance requirements or those wanting to reduce long-term costs.

Examples:

→Server setup
→Network configuration
→Backup systems
→Security implementation
→Cloud alternatives

Own your infrastructure

or discuss your specific needs

Hardware Systems & Equipment Integration

When software needs to talk to physical equipment, I bridge that gap. This includes integrating laboratory instruments, manufacturing equipment, sensors, or specialized devices with your computer systems. Whether you need automated data collection from equipment, remote monitoring systems, or custom interfaces for specialized hardware, I handle the technical complexity of making physical devices communicate with software reliably.

Examples:

→Lab equipment integration
→Sensor systems
→Manufacturing equipment
→Data collection automation
→Custom hardware interfaces

Integrate your equipment

or discuss your specific needs

Ongoing Support & Evolution

Technical systems need ongoing care as requirements change and technology evolves. I provide continuing support for systems I've built and can often help with existing systems too. This includes bug fixes, performance improvements, adding new features, updating dependencies, and addressing security issues. Think of it as having a technical resource available when you need it, without hiring full-time staff.

Examples:

→Bug fixes
→Feature additions
→Performance optimization
→Security updates
→Technical guidance

Get ongoing support

or discuss your specific needs

Where I Focus My Time

I focus on technical systems and process improvement for people who have real work to accomplish. This means I don't handle consumer tech support or PC repair. I also don't require ongoing contracts—you should own your systems outright and be able to walk away or bring in someone else at any time.

If your project doesn't fit these patterns, I'll tell you honestly and point you in the right direction when I can.

See a service that fits your situation?

Let's explore your project