Stop Paying for Tools That Own You
About Angel Rodriguez Santiago
I started as a lawyer, then switched to data analytics when I realized legal work was drowning in manual processes that software could handle better. Over six years, I've helped built data solutions for companies like Google, TikTok, and Reddit while watching enterprise teams spend millions on automation projects that barely function.
The irony hit me hard: by day I worked on these complex corporate systems, but by night I solved my own business problems using simple tools like n8n and Make. I could build in an evening what took enterprise teams months to plan.
That's when I noticed the cruel contrast. Big companies were overengineering solutions to simple problems, while solopreneurs were trapped paying hundreds monthly for tools that barely integrated, manually copying data between platforms, and spending evenings maintaining their "productivity" stack instead of building their actual business.
I realized the automation principles that worked for enterprise could liberate small businesses from subscription prison—but only if we stripped away the complexity and focused on what actually mattered.
Why This Newsletter Exists
Most automation content teaches you to build elaborate workflows that break after a week. I take a different approach. Drawing from my background as a Senior Technical Solutions Engineer and Lead Data Analyst, I reverse-engineer the expensive tools you're already paying for and show you how to build better versions that you actually own.
This isn't about replacing every tool with code. It's about strategic automation that gives you three things:
Control - Your business logic lives in systems you understand and can modify, not black boxes with monthly fees.
Cost Efficiency - Replace $300/month tool combinations with $30 solutions that do exactly what you need.
Time Freedom - Build once, run forever. No more daily data shuffling or manual busy work.
What You'll Learn
Every week, I share practical automation blueprints that solve real business problems.
Workflow Breakdowns - Step-by-step guides to building automation systems using n8n, Make, and other no-code tools. Each guide includes the actual template files, cost breakdowns, and troubleshooting tips.
SaaS Replacement Strategies - Detailed analyses of popular business tools and how to recreate their core functionality for 90% less cost. I'll show you exactly which features you actually need and which are marketing fluff.
AI Integration Patterns - Practical ways to add AI capabilities to your workflows without burning through API credits. Learn how to build custom AI tools that understand your business context.
Business Process Redesign - Sometimes the problem isn't the tool—it's the process. I'll help you identify workflow bottlenecks and design systems that prevent problems instead of just managing them.
My Unique Perspective
My background combines technical depth with business reality. I have a Juris Doctor degree, so I understand compliance and risk management. I've worked across healthcare, retail, and technology industries, so I've seen how different business models create different automation needs. I'm also bilingual (English/Spanish) and have experience building systems for global teams.
Most importantly, I've been on both sides of the automation divide. I've built enterprise solutions that cost millions and delivered questionable ROI. I've also built personal automation systems that saved me hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars. I know what works in the real world versus what looks good in demos.
Why Subscribe
Save Money - Each workflow I share typically replaces $50-500 in monthly SaaS costs. One automation can pay for itself in the first month.
Save Time - My systems are designed to eliminate repetitive work, not create new maintenance burdens. Spend your time building your business, not babysitting integrations.
Stay Independent - Learn to build solutions you own instead of renting access to someone else's vision of how your business should work.
Get Practical Value - Every newsletter includes downloadable templates, actual code, and real cost breakdowns. No fluff, no affiliate link spam, just systems that work.
I publish weekly deep-dives, with occasional bonus workflows when I discover something particularly useful. Each edition takes 5-7 minutes to read but can save you hours of work.
Ready to stop paying for productivity and start building it instead?
Building automation systems since before it was cool. Based in Phoenix, AZ. Always happy to answer questions about specific workflow challenges.
