🧠 CRM is a mindset.
That phrase has shaped the past month of my work and life — and it’s now the driving force behind a project I’ve just launched: a fully functional, easy-to-use CRM built on something you already know how to use — a spreadsheet.
This is the story of how it came to life, what I built around it, and why it exists.
Back to Basics: The CRM Problem Most People Face
Let’s be honest — most CRM systems are overkill at the start.
They promise automation, dashboards, integrations, AI—but for many small teams and solo operators, it quickly turns into overwhelm. Subscriptions pile up. Setup drags on. Features sit unused. And the real goal — building better customer relationships — gets lost.
So I asked myself:
What’s the simplest, cleanest starting point for someone who just wants to get their customer data organized?
The answer? A spreadsheet. One that’s structured like a CRM. And one that’s yours to keep.
What I Built — and Why
I’ve been researching CRMs obsessively (100+ hours, easily), exploring tools like Breakcold and Brevo. But I always come back to the same principle: use open source where you can, build your own if needed, and only in rare cases rely on another subscription.
That principle led me to:
- Build my personal site on WordPress
- Use the open-source CRM Twenty as my backend
- And when existing form plugins didn’t cut it, I created my own: a custom Twenty CRM WordPress plugin to connect submissions directly to my CRM
It’s still in beta, but it gets the job done — no bloat, no fluff.
The Video: A Tool to Build Trust
I didn’t want to just throw a download link out into the world. I wanted to speak directly to the person on the other side. So I made a video — simple, honest, and personal.
After testing tools like Riverside, Loom, and Screen Studio for Mac (all good but ultimately not the right fit), I came full circle to something open-source and powerful: OBS. Big shoutout to Beata, who’s been preaching OBS long before I finally listened.
The video was shot using OBS and lightly edited in Final Cut Pro. I kept it minimal because the message was clear enough: this spreadsheet helps you start tracking leads, contacts, and deals — and sets you up to upgrade later, without losing your data.
The Landing Page: A Different Kind of CTA
Most lead magnets ask for your email.
I didn’t.
I built a landing page that reflects how I work: no email collection, no spam, just connection. If you want the spreadsheet, you leave your name and either your phone number or LinkedIn. That’s it.
The idea is simple: if CRM is about relationships, it should start with trust.
Final Push (And a Personal Note)
Today is May 29 — a public holiday in Portugal. My family’s at the beach. I’m in the office, finishing this.
Because launching this mattered.
Not just to check a box, but to share something useful. Something small but real. Something that helps others get started — or restarted — on their CRM journey.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by CRM tools, or if you’ve been putting off building your system, start here.
This spreadsheet is yours to use, adapt, and grow from.
And if you want to talk shop, swap ideas, or rethink your approach — I’m just a message away.
🧠 CRM is a mindset.
And sometimes, that mindset starts with a spreadsheet.
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