One thing I noticed while talking to small businesses is that WhatsApp often becomes their unofficial CRM.

A customer sends a message → someone replies → the conversation gets buried → nobody follows up → the lead is gone.

So we’re building Aerostic around that problem.

The idea is to bring WhatsApp, AI, CRM and automation into one place.

For example, a business can have an AI agent handle initial enquiries, qualify leads, follow up with people who haven't responded, and keep the customer information organized in a CRM. A human can step in whenever the conversation actually needs one.

The goal isn't to replace the sales team.

It's to remove the repetitive work around the sales team.

We're still improving the product, so I'm curious:

How do you currently manage customer enquiries that come through WhatsApp?

Spreadsheet? WhatsApp Business? CRM? Everything manually?

I'd especially like to hear what actually works and what doesn't.

Hi! we just rolled out a new CRM setup... and to be so real... it is a total flop. the sales reps are completely rebelling because the system requires way too many clicks just to log a basic update.

instead of using the platform... they've gone completely rogue. they are tracking everything in their secret Excel sheets... and they literally only log the deal into the CRM after it’s already closed-won... just to secure their commission check. like they are straight up refusing to touch the pipeline.

it's because our admin made the mobile layouts completely unusable... they added all these dependent picklists where you literally have to click through 12 dropdowns just to log a standard bolt-on attachment or a quick pricing tier change... so the reps just... don't do it.

management is completely blind to it because they only look at the final closed-won revenue numbers... but our pipeline forecasting is literally in the negatives. we have zero visibility because the system thinks we have $0 in the pipeline until a random $50k deal just spawns out of nowhere on Friday afternoon during the final vibe check... it's so bad.

has anyone successfully dealt with sales reps flat-out refusing to use a new CRM?? how do we fix the friction before this Excel shadow-IT completely takes over... it's getting weird.

You send over a strong candidate. Client says “great, we’ll review this week.” Then nothing.

How many days before you follow up? And is that an actual system a reminder, a recurring task or do you just remember eventually?

Asking because I’m researching how solo desks run day to day. Not selling anything.

No finance person on staff, just a founder wearing every hat. Curious how other small teams are actually managing idle cash without it becoming a part-time job. What are you using and is it worth the setup?