I Built an AI Clone of Myself. Here’s What Happened After 90 Days.
Three months ago, I did something that felt absolutely ridiculous.
I created an AI clone of myself.
Not to deceive anyone. Not to play Silicon Valley tech bro. To solve a problem I know every service business owner reading this article faces:
How do you create consistent video content when you're actually running the business?
I'm Mimmo. I've been in the cleaning industry for 10 years. I run BCCM Carpet Cleaning, Pre-Sale Cleaning, and four other cleaning operations across Melbourne.
And I'll tell you right now — I hate being on camera.
Camera shy doesn't even begin to describe it. I've deleted more videos than I've ever published.
But in the last 90 days, my AI clone has created and published 48 videos. That's more content than I produced in the previous 10 years combined.
Today I'm going to show you exactly what happened — the good, the awkward, the cost breakdown, and whether it actually works for real businesses.
Because if you're camera-shy like me, or you're too busy running your operation to create content, this might change everything.
The Cost Reality Nobody Talks About
First, let’s look at what traditional video production actually costs in Australia right now.
I contacted videographers in Melbourne. For a basic 3-minute business video, quotes ranged from:
$3,800 to $5,900
That includes concept development, filming on location, editing, and maybe some basic social media formatting.
Now, if you're like most service business owners, you know video works.
You see competitors on YouTube.
You see them on Instagram.
You see them getting engagement, comments, leads.
You know you should be doing it.
But here’s the math that stops you dead:
If you want to post just 2 videos per month, that’s 24 videos per year.
At the low end — $3,800 per video — you're looking at:
$91,200 annually.
Even if you find someone willing to do it for $2,000 per video, that’s still:
$48,000 per year.
And that assumes you can actually find a videographer who understands service businesses.
Most want studio shoots. Perfect lighting. Brand-value storytelling.
That’s not how operators work.
We’re on job sites.
We’re wearing work gear.
We’ve got hands in grout or we’re steam cleaning carpets.
We’re in customers’ homes.
Traditional video production doesn’t work for operators like us.
So here’s what I did instead:
$1,000 initial setup
$500 per month ongoing
48 videos created in 90 days
Total investment:
$1,000 + $1,500 (3 months) = $2,500
48 videos for $2,500.
That’s $52 per video.
Not $3,800.
Not $2,000.
Fifty-two dollars per video.
And I didn’t step foot in a studio.
The Real Problem: Camera Shyness Isn’t the Only Barrier
Let me be honest.
For three years I tried to create video content.
Every weekend I’d say:
“This Saturday, I’m filming 5 videos.”
Tripod out. iPhone set up.
Twelve takes for a 90-second clip.
Then I’d watch it back and hate everything:
The way I looked
The way I sounded
How awkward I seemed
So I deleted it.
That cycle went on for three years.
Result:
8 videos published.
And every one of them was painful.
Here’s what made it worse:
Through BNI, I’m connected with over 700 operators across Melbourne.
Every single one says the same thing:
“I know I should be doing video. But I hate being on camera.”
That’s a serious problem.
Because your potential customers are searching:
“carpet cleaning near me”
“end of lease cleaning Melbourne”
“tile grout cleaning Fitzroy”
If you’re not visible?
Your competitor is.
You lose the job — not because you're worse at the service, but because you're invisible.
The Three Big Problems With Hiring a Videographer
It’s expensive.
You have to schedule it.
They don’t understand your business.
Blocking out 4 hours to film content when you’ve got booked jobs?
That’s not realistic.
And a videographer won’t understand why grout sealing matters or why you can’t just “quickly film something” mid-job.
So you stay stuck.
That was me.
Until six months ago.
The Solution: How the AI Clone Works
Here’s exactly what I did.
I recorded 15 minutes of myself on Zoom.
No script. Just natural conversation about cleaning, business, and customer questions.
That recording was uploaded to HeyGen.
The software analyzed:
My face
My voice
My speech patterns
My Melbourne accent
Now, here’s the process:
Step 1
Record audio on my phone while driving between job sites (5–10 minutes).
Step 2
Send the audio file to Jane (video production).
Step 3
Jane uploads it to HeyGen.
The AI clone delivers my words using my voice and likeness.
Step 4
Jane adds B-roll footage, job clips, graphics, overlays.
Step 5
Publish to YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn.
Time commitment from me:
10 minutes per video.
Editing time from Jane:
~3 hours.
Cost:
~$52 per video.
Because it’s easy — I actually do it.
No lighting.
No retakes.
No stress.
Just conversation.
Content Output in 90 Days
18 long-form YouTube videos
30 short-form videos (Reels, TikTok)
12 embedded on websites
That’s 60 pieces of video content in 90 days.
Before the AI clone?
3 videos per year.
Huge difference.
The Results After 90 Days
Before AI Clone (3 years)
8 videos published
$15,000 spent on videographers
0 qualified leads from video
47 YouTube subscribers
After AI Clone (90 days)
60 videos published
$2,500 total investment
18 qualified YouTube leads
340 subscribers
3 new cleaning clients
Revenue from those 3 clients (6 months):
$8,400
Investment: $2,500
Return: $8,400
ROI: 336%
And that’s just 90 days.
The Unexpected Benefit: Time
I got my weekends back.
I’m not stressed about filming.
I record 15–20 minutes of audio per week and generate 4 polished videos.
The content works 24/7.
Someone in Fitzroy can watch my stain removal tips at 2am and book the next morning.
That’s compounding lead generation.
Let’s Address the Ethical Question
Yes — it’s AI.
Yes — I’m transparent.
Every video description states:
“Created with AI assistance.”
The expertise is still mine.
The advice is mine.
The experience is mine.
The AI is simply a production tool.
Like Canva.
Like Xero.
Like any other software.
Customers don’t care how it’s made.
They care whether it helps.
What This Means for Your Business
If you're a:
Cleaning business owner
Trades operator
Hairdresser
Landscaper
Any service business
And you’re camera-shy…
You now have a solution.
If you’re spending thousands on videographers…
There’s a better way.
If your competitors are dominating YouTube…
This system levels the playing field.
I built this for my six cleaning businesses.
It works.
336% ROI in 90 days.
Over $88,000 saved annually compared to traditional production.
Now I’m offering the same system to Australian service business owners.
Your expertise deserves visibility.
Even if you hate being on camera.
Want to See How This Works for Your Business?
Book a 10-minute discovery call.
No pressure.
No hard sell.
Just an honest conversation about whether this system makes sense for your operation.
I’m Mimmo.
See you in the next one.
