Record what matters. Extract what matters. Keep it where you choose.
One discovery call between a freelance web designer and a bakery owner — turned into a structured, quote-grounded brief and a ready-to-send follow-up. Every claim is backed by something the client actually said; nothing is invented; unconfirmed facts become explicit to-dos. Processed entirely on your iPhone, never uploaded to any cloud.
Maya, owner of Rosewood Bakery in Dartmouth, wants a mobile-first website with online ordering and pickup scheduling, live before the holiday rush. She must be able to edit the menu herself. Budget signalled around $5,000; her business partner Jordan approves any significant spend. Intent is strong — the binding constraints are the holiday deadline and getting Jordan's sign-off.
Rosewood Bakery — single location, roughly six staff, open three years. Customer growth has come almost entirely through Instagram.
"We've grown mostly on Instagram, but people keep DMing asking if they can order online."Order intake is unmanaged and breaks down at peak.
"Right now orders come through Instagram DMs and it's chaos around the holidays — we lose orders because I can't keep up."She can't maintain the current website.
"My cousin built it on Squarespace two years ago and now nobody can update it."Budget: approximately $5,000.
"We were thinking somewhere around five thousand."Timeline: must launch before the holidays.
"It has to be live before the holidays — that's our busiest time."Maya — owner, primary contact, day-to-day decisions.
Jordan — business partner, approves spend.
"Any money over a couple thousand, Jordan has to okay it."Spend not yet approved — Maya is assuming, not confirming.
"I'm pretty sure Jordan will be fine with it."Scope vs. budget mismatch risk: ordering + scheduling + self-editable CMS may exceed $5,000.
Hi Maya — great talking today. Quick recap so we're aligned:
You're after a mobile-first site with online ordering and pickup scheduling, a menu you can edit yourself, and a strong photo gallery — live before the holidays [confirm exact date]. Budget around $5,000 [confirm: build only, or incl. hosting + maintenance].
I'll send a short proposal with two options by Friday so you and Jordan can review the spend together. Two quick things that'll let me firm up scope: who's providing the menu copy and photos, and by when, and whether gift cards should be in the first launch or a later phase.
Talk soon,
—
Fictional example, created to show the kind of structured, quote-grounded brief Before You Forget is designed to produce. Section names and layout may change; real output depends on what's actually said in the conversation. Processed on your iPhone — never uploaded.