Work Experience — 20 Weeks

Build your business.
Learn by building.

This is your 20-week plan. Every Monday you’ll have clear tasks, a learning objective, and something real to deliver. Claude is your AI co-pilot. Claude Code builds the platform. By week 20, you’re in business.

How This Works
The ground rules

Every Monday is a working day. You have tasks, a goal, and a deliverable. You’ll use Claude to think and write, and Claude Code to build the actual platform. You do the work.

Rule 01

Learn by doing

No theory-only weeks. Every session produces something real that moves the business forward. The curriculum is the company.

Rule 02

AI as co-pilot, Code as builder

Claude helps you think, write, and plan. Claude Code builds the React frontend, the backend, the API integrations, and the automation. You learn to direct both.

Rule 03

Escalating ownership

Weeks 1–8: Dad leads, you execute. Weeks 9–14: you lead, Dad reviews. Weeks 15–20: you run it, Dad advises.

✍️
Content & SEO
💻
React & Claude Code
⚙️
Automation
📈
Business & Finance
✈️
Operations & Flight
Claude AI task
Claude Code / dev task
Automation spec task
General task
Phase 1

Foundation

Weeks 1–4

You’ll learn what the business is, understand the full automation workflow, and start building the platform in React with Claude Code. By the end of this phase you understand every step of the nine-step client journey and both sites are taking shape.

Week 01

Understand the Business & the Automation

Your goal is to understand what StormScout and OverWatch are, how the dual-brand model works, and — critically — to map the full nine-step automated workflow from first click to final delivery.
Read the full v3.0 business plan end to end
Read the competitor analysis document
Use Claude to ask questions about anything you don’t understand
Ask Claude to explain the revenue model back to you in plain language
Map the full 9-step client workflow on paper — every trigger, every branch, every automated action
Identify which steps are automated, which are manual, and which involve ScoutAI
Write a one-page summary of what the business does, in your own words
Discuss with Dad: what makes this different from competitors
Deliverable: Your own business summary + a hand-drawn workflow map showing all 9 steps, every trigger, and every automation point.
Week 02

Infrastructure & Automation Spec

Set up the project infrastructure and write the first draft of the automation specification — the technical document that defines exactly what the platform needs to do.
Register stormscout.com.au and overwatchdrones.com.au
Create Google Business Profiles for both brands
Create Instagram and Facebook accounts for both brands
Set up Stripe account under Dad’s ABN
Set up the React project repo with Claude Code — learn project structure
Write the automation spec: Step 1 (Discovery & Booking) — what fields, what validations, what happens on submit
Write the automation spec: Step 2 (Deposit Payment) — Stripe integration, confirmation triggers, what fires on success/failure
Use Claude to write the initial bio and description for each social account
Deliverable: Domains registered. React project initialised. Automation spec started (Steps 1–2 documented).
Week 03

Frontend Build Begins

Start building the actual websites in React using Claude Code. Learn component-based design and how to direct an AI code builder effectively.
Use Claude Code to build the shared layout components (nav, footer, page structure)
Use Claude Code to build the StormScout homepage
Use Claude Code to build the OverWatch homepage
Use Claude to write homepage copy for both brands
Review competitor websites — write down what works and what doesn’t
Write the automation spec: Step 3 (Confirmation & Shoot Brief) — email template triggers, what data populates, client instructions
Deliverable: Both homepages built in React. Automation spec Steps 1–3 complete.
Week 04

Core Pages & Dashboard Spec

Build all remaining core pages and spec out the operator dashboard — the backend view you’ll use to manage jobs every day.
Use Claude Code to build Services pages with full pricing for both brands
Use Claude Code to build About, How It Works, and ScoutAI explainer pages
Use Claude to write your About page — your story as the pilot
Use Claude Code to build Book Now page structure (form shell, field layout)
Write the automation spec: Step 4 (Job Dashboard) — what operators see, job status states, data from both brands in one queue
Write the automation spec: Step 5 (Shoot Completion & Image Upload) — upload flow, file handling, what triggers ScoutAI
Deliverable: All core pages built in React. Automation spec Steps 1–5 complete. Dashboard fully specified.
Milestone 1

Both websites built in React with all core pages. The first half of the automation specification is documented. You understand the full workflow.

Phase 2

Build

Weeks 5–8

You’ll complete the automation specification, build the backend systems with Claude Code, connect Stripe, wire up ScoutAI, and get the entire platform working end to end. This is the heaviest development phase.

Week 05

ScoutAI Spec & Backend Architecture

Spec out the ScoutAI integration in detail and start building the backend. Learn how the Claude API works, how prompts drive report quality, and how the branching logic handles Visual vs Verified tiers.
Write the automation spec: Step 6 (ScoutAI Analysis) — Claude API call structure, prompt templates per brand, image handling
Write the automation spec: Step 7 (Report Generation & Branching) — Visual auto-release vs Verified review queue
Co-write the ScoutAI analysis prompts for StormScout with Claude
Co-write the ScoutAI analysis prompts for OverWatch with Claude
Use Claude Code to set up the backend (API routes, database schema, auth)
Use Claude Code to build the image upload endpoint
Deliverable: Automation spec Steps 6–7 complete. ScoutAI prompts drafted. Backend project initialised with upload endpoint.
Week 06

Stripe Integration & Payment Automation

Connect Stripe to the platform. Build the two-stage payment flow. Learn how webhooks work and how payment events trigger downstream automation.
Configure all Stripe products: deposits, balances, upgrades, subscriptions, packages
Write the automation spec: Step 8 (Balance Payment & Gating) — payment link generation, report gating logic, portal activation trigger
Use Claude Code to integrate Stripe checkout for the deposit flow
Use Claude Code to build the Stripe webhook handler — payment confirmation triggers
Use Claude Code to build the balance payment email trigger
Test a live Stripe transaction (small amount) end to end
Deliverable: Stripe fully integrated. Deposit and balance payments working. Automation spec Step 8 complete.
Week 07

Portal, CRM & Automation Completion

Build the client portal, set up the CRM, and complete the final step of the automation specification. By the end of this week the full nine-step workflow is documented and the major backend systems are built.
Write the automation spec: Step 9 (Portal Delivery & CRM) — portal URL generation, report access, follow-up scheduling, subscription re-engagement
Use Claude Code to build the client portal (photo gallery, report download, unique URL)
Use Claude Code to build the CRM module (client records, brand tagging, job history)
Use Claude Code to build the operator dashboard (job queue, status, briefs)
Review the full 9-step automation spec end to end — check for gaps, missing triggers, edge cases
Walk Dad through the complete spec — get sign-off
Deliverable: Full 9-step automation specification complete. Client portal, CRM, and dashboard built.
Week 08

Email Automation & SEO Foundation

Build all automated email sequences and lay the SEO foundations. Every email in the client lifecycle gets written, templated, and wired to its trigger.
Use Claude to write all email templates: confirmation, shoot brief, payment request, portal delivery
Use Claude to write follow-up sequences: 30-day, seasonal, annual
Use Claude Code to build the email trigger system — each step fires the right email
Ask Claude to explain SEO in plain language — write your own notes
Add JSON-LD schema, FAQ schema, llms.txt, agent.json to both sites
Submit both sitemaps to Google Search Console
Deliverable: All email sequences built and wired to automation triggers. SEO foundations deployed on both sites.
Milestone 2

The full 9-step automation spec is complete and signed off. The React frontend, backend, Stripe, ScoutAI, portal, CRM, dashboard, and email system are built. The platform exists.

Phase 3

Launch Prep

Weeks 9–12

You’re now preparing for real clients. This phase is about testing every automation, building marketing content, running a full dry run with a real drone flight, and proving the entire system works before you go live.

Week 09

Integration Testing

Test every automation end to end. Walk a dummy client through the entire 9-step journey on both brands and verify every trigger fires correctly.
Test Step 1–2: Book a dummy job on StormScout — verify deposit processes and confirmation email fires
Test Step 1–2: Book a dummy job on OverWatch — verify brand-specific flow
Test Steps 3–5: Verify shoot brief email, dashboard appearance, image upload
Test Steps 6–7: Upload test images, verify ScoutAI analysis runs, PDF generates with correct branding
Test Step 7 branch: Verified report — verify it holds in review queue
Test Steps 8–9: Balance payment, portal activation, CRM logging
Fix any bugs or broken triggers with Claude Code
Document all issues found and resolutions applied
Deliverable: Full integration test completed on both brands. All 9 steps verified. Bug log resolved.
Week 10

Content & Marketing

Build the content engine. Write and publish SEO articles, create the social media calendar, and prepare all marketing materials for launch.
Use Claude to research and outline 3 pillar topics per brand
Co-write each article with Claude — you bring the local knowledge, Claude structures
Publish 3 pillar articles per brand (6 total)
Use Claude to create a 4-week social content calendar per brand
Use Claude to draft 14 social media posts per brand (28 total)
Create post graphics using Canva
Schedule first 2 weeks of posts
Complete both Google Business Profiles with photos and descriptions
Deliverable: 6 pillar articles live. 28 social posts drafted. 2 weeks scheduled. GBPs complete.
Week 11

Test Flight & Full Dry Run

Complete a full end-to-end dry run with a real drone flight. Process a real job on a friend or family property through every step of the automation and find anything that breaks.
Book a test job through the live booking system
Complete a real drone flight on a test property
Upload real images through the backend portal
Verify ScoutAI processes real images correctly — check report quality
Process the balance payment through Stripe
Verify client portal activates with real gallery and real report
Check all automated emails fired correctly with real data
Document any issues — fix them before launch
Deliverable: One complete real job processed end to end. System proven with real flight data.
Week 12

Final QA & Pre-Launch

Final quality check on everything. Publish remaining content. Prepare your launch announcement. You’re going live next week.
QA all pages on both sites — links, typos, mobile display
Use Claude to write 5 more SEO articles per brand (10 total)
Publish all remaining articles
Use Claude to draft your launch announcement for social media
Use Claude to draft a personal outreach message for Dad’s network
Final automation walkthrough — every trigger, every email, every status change
Any final bug fixes or polish with Claude Code
Confirm launch date: next Monday
Deliverable: Everything QA’d. Content published. Launch materials ready. Automation verified. Go/no-go confirmed.
Milestone 3

The entire platform has been tested with a real flight and real data. Every automation fires correctly. Both sites are content-rich. You are ready for paying clients.

Phase 4

Launch & First Clients

Weeks 13–16

This is it. You publish both sites, push the launch announcement, and work to get your first paying clients. You’ll also monitor the automation in production and fix anything that behaves differently with real users.

Week 13

Launch Day

Take both brands public. Push the launch across all channels. Monitor the automation in production for the first time with real traffic.
Deploy both sites to production
Post launch announcements on both brands’ social accounts
Send personal outreach messages to Dad’s network
Post in local Brisbane Facebook community groups
Monitor all automation triggers in production — check logs, verify emails fire
Monitor Stripe for your first real booking
Use Claude to help you draft responses to any enquiries
Deliverable: Both brands live. Launch pushed. Automation running in production. First enquiries handled.
Week 14

First Paying Clients

Process your first real paying jobs. Watch the automation handle real clients and learn to troubleshoot anything that doesn’t work as expected.
Complete your first real client jobs (aim for 2 this week)
Process real images through ScoutAI and generate reports
Monitor the full automation chain with real client data — booking through to portal delivery
Handle balance payments and verify portal delivery
Ask your first clients for feedback (informal, via email)
Use Claude to analyse what worked and what you could improve
Fix any production issues with Claude Code
Deliverable: First paying clients served. Reports delivered. Revenue earned. Automation proven in production.
Week 15

Optimise & Iterate

Review your first two weeks of operation. Improve the automation, the ScoutAI prompts, and the client experience based on real data.
Review all client feedback — look for patterns
Improve your ScoutAI prompts based on real report quality
Review automation logs — identify any steps that failed or were slow
Implement improvements with Claude Code
Use Claude to write 2 more SEO articles per brand
Start building suburb landing pages with Claude Code (first 5 suburbs)
Review Stripe data — track revenue, conversion, average order
Deliverable: Post-launch review completed. Automation refined. First suburb pages live.
Week 16

Build the Pipeline

Learn proactive sales and outreach. Stop waiting for people to find you and start generating leads deliberately.
Use Claude to draft outreach emails for real estate agents (OverWatch)
Use Claude to draft outreach for insurance brokers (StormScout)
Identify and contact 10 local real estate agents
Identify and contact 5 insurance brokers
Build next 5 suburb landing pages with Claude Code
Keep up your weekly social media cadence
Deliverable: 15 outreach contacts made. B2B pipeline started. 10 suburb pages live.
Milestone 4

You have paying clients, real revenue, a proven automation running in production, and an active pipeline. You’ve handled real jobs from booking to delivery.

Phase 5

Operate & Scale

Weeks 17–20

You run the business now. Dad advises but doesn’t lead. This phase is about financial literacy, growth systems, performance measurement, and preparing to operate beyond work experience.

Week 17

Financial Literacy

Learn to read the business financially. Understand revenue, costs, profit, tax obligations, and how the three-way split works with real numbers.
Review all your Stripe revenue data to date
Calculate actual operating costs (fuel, hosting, Stripe fees, API costs)
Calculate net profit and the per-partner split
Use Claude to build a simple financial tracking spreadsheet
Discuss tax obligations with Dad — GST, BAS, income reporting
Review automation cost efficiency — what does each ScoutAI report cost in API usage?
Deliverable: Financial tracker built with real data. You understand the numbers, including the cost of your automation.
Week 18

Growth Systems

Set up the systems that generate repeatable growth. Referral programme, Google Ads, and subscription client development.
Use Claude to design the referral incentive programme ($20 off)
Use Claude Code to build the referral tracking into the CRM
Activate Google Ads for StormScout (storm season targeting)
Activate Google Ads for OverWatch (general Brisbane)
Identify 5 potential subscription clients and pitch them
Spec the subscription automation — auto-scheduling, recurring billing, Change Detection triggers
Deliverable: Referral programme built and live. Google Ads running. Subscription automation specified.
Week 19

Performance Review

Measure everything. What’s working, what isn’t, where is the business trending. Learn to think in data, not gut feel.
Pull Google Analytics data — traffic, sources, top pages
Pull Search Console data — impressions, clicks, keyword rankings
Review Stripe data — total revenue, average order, repeat clients
Review Google Ads performance — cost per click, conversion rate
Review automation performance — average time from booking to report delivery, failure rate, bottlenecks
Use Claude to analyse all the data and identify your top 3 growth opportunities
Use Claude to draft a performance report for the partnership
Deliverable: Full performance report covering traffic, revenue, automation metrics, marketing ROI, and growth plan.
Week 20

The Handover

You present the business to Dad. Where it started, where it is, where it’s going. You walk out of work experience as a business operator.
Use Claude to help you build a presentation covering the full 20-week journey
Present to Dad: business performance, automation system, what you learned, what’s next
Document the complete automation system — every trigger, every branch, every integration point
Document all operational processes — how to run a Monday, how to process a job
Set the operating rhythm for ongoing weekends and after-school sessions
Plan the next quarter: targets, content calendar, outreach goals, automation improvements
Deliverable: Presentation delivered. Full automation documented. Processes recorded. Q2 plan set. You’re in business.
Final Milestone

StormScout and OverWatch are live, generating revenue, and running on automation you specified, built, and tested. You own half of it. You built it. You run it.

20 Mondays. Your business.

The best work experience is the one that doesn’t end when the placement does.