codykeegan.aiThe Idea
Most AI tool lists are 30 tools long and useless. This is the OPPOSITE — the small list of tools that actually do all the work across three live businesses (photo booth, GHL agency, real estate system). Every line item has a reason. Every cost is real. Tools that were tried and dropped are also listed so you don't repeat the experiment.
The wedge: Three businesses on AI. Total stack cost ~$144/mo. That's less than most operators pay for one SaaS subscription that does one thing.
The AI Stack
| Tool | Function | Cost | Affiliate |
|---|---|---|---|
| GoHighLevel (GHL) | CRM + pipelines + workflows + SMS + email | $97/mo | Yes — 40% recurring |
| Blotato | Multi-platform content scheduling + AI video | $49/mo | Yes — Cody is partner |
| Claude Pro | Primary writing + analysis | $20/mo | — |
| OpenAI API (gpt-4o-mini) | Programmatic AI calls in workflows | ~$15/mo | — |
| ElevenLabs (free → starter) | AI voiceover for faceless video | $0-22/mo | Yes |
| Vapi (usage-based) | AI voice agent — phone answering | ~$10-30/mo | Yes |
How AI Runs It — 5 Steps
- Start with GHL — It replaces 10 SaaS tools (CRM, email, SMS, automation, scheduling, forms, pipelines, calendars, websites, funnels). One bill.
- Add Claude Pro — The thinking layer. Claude.md template (Blueprint 01) makes the output sound like you across every business.
- Add Blotato — Distribution. 9 platforms scheduled from one place + AI video generation when you can't film.
- Add the API tier — OpenAI gpt-4o-mini for workflows that need programmatic AI (lead scoring, content scoring, etc.).
- Layer in voice (ElevenLabs + Vapi) — Optional but high-leverage. ElevenLabs for content voiceover, Vapi for inbound calls.
Path To Revenue
Month 1
Replace 3-5 SaaS tools with this stack. Tool spend goes down. Output goes up.
Month 3
Cut overhead 50%. Stop hiring for things AI now handles inside the stack.
Month 6
Run new businesses on the same stack — marginal cost ~$0 per added business.
The Math
Equivalent SaaS stack to do the same work without GHL bundling: $1,200-2,000/mo. This stack does the same work for $144/mo. Net savings: $13K-22K/year per business.
You do: Set up once per business. ~10 hours of build per business after the first one.
AI does: Every recurring operational task — lead capture, follow-up, scheduling, content distribution, customer support, voice answering.
Why Now (2026)
- GHL's automation depth in 2026 covers 90% of small-business operational needs. The remaining 10% is direct API integration.
- Stacking tools across multiple businesses spreads the fixed cost — the marginal new-business cost approaches zero.
- The affiliate revenue from GHL alone (40% recurring) pays for the entire stack within 3-5 referrals.
The tools are commoditized. The advantage is knowing which ones, in which order, doing what. That's the stack.