Not advice.
Working systems.
I build the software, AI, and infrastructure that small businesses actually run on. Built to be handed off. I am still in the room eighteen months later.
strategic partners
the work
Real projects. Still in the room.
Every project here is something I built, shipped, and still support. Long-term relationships, not one-off projects.
Tax & Accounting
Co-founder, ongoing
TaxSquare
Co-founded the technology side from day one. Built the brand, the client portal, and the internal automation. Not a vendor. A co-owner.
Healthcare
Fractional CTO, ongoing
Legacy OBGYN
Modern web presence, custom clinical tools, and IT infrastructure that meets healthcare compliance requirements. Still in the room.
Real Estate
Build + ongoing support
Kanam Realty Group
Custom website, internal dashboards, and property management tooling for a growing DFW real estate operation.
testimonials
What clients say
“Shafen is the only person I trust with the technology side of my business. He built our entire platform from scratch and still manages it. When something breaks, he fixes it before I even notice.”
Mohsin Ali
Co-founder, TaxSquare
“We needed someone who could handle the technology without us having to think about it. Shafen stepped in, redesigned our web presence, built clinical tools, and now manages our entire IT setup. He just gets it done.”
Dr. Hina Khan
Legacy OBGYN
“I have worked with a lot of developers. Shafen is the one I keep coming back to. He does not just write code. He understands the business problem and builds exactly what you need. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Aaron Stransky
Technology Collaborator
three ways to work together
What I build
process
How every engagement starts
Tell me what is not working
Email, form, or a call. Your words, not a requirements doc.
Honest read within 48 hours
Can I help? What would it take? What would it cost?
Clear scope, fixed price
Written before any work begins. No surprises.
Build, ship, hand off
You see progress as it happens. You own everything.
I named the company after a giraffe because giraffes see further than the herd. That is the job. Spot what is coming. Build for it before it arrives. Quiet strength. No need to be the loudest in the room when you can see the whole room.
frequently asked questions
Questions I get asked
What kind of businesses do you work with?
Small businesses and practices across healthcare, tax, real estate, and professional services. Typically 5-50 employees. The common thread is operators who need technology that actually works, not another vendor who disappears after launch.
How is this different from hiring an agency?
You work directly with the person building your system. No project managers, no account executives, no junior developers learning on your project. I build it, I maintain it, I answer when you call. That continuity is what makes things work long-term.
Do you publish pricing?
No. Every engagement is different. A one-page website and a full client portal with AI integration are not the same project. But I give you a clear number in writing before any work begins, and that number does not change unless the scope does.
What does a 30-minute diagnostic look like?
You describe the problem. I ask questions. By the end of the call, you have an honest read on whether I can help, what it would take, and roughly what it would cost. No pitch deck. No pressure. If I am not the right fit, I will tell you that too.
Can you work with my existing systems?
Yes. Most clients come to me with existing tools, vendors, and workflows. I evaluate what you have, keep what works, and replace what does not. I am not going to rip everything out and start from scratch unless that is genuinely the right call.
What happens after the project is done?
You own everything. The code, the infrastructure, the domain, the data. If you want me to stay and run it, we move to a monthly retainer. If you want to take it in-house, I make sure your team can. No vendor lock-in.
Where are you based?
Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. I work with clients locally and remotely. Most communication happens over email, calls, and messaging. I am available for in-person meetings in the DFW area.
Tell me what is not working.
No pitch. No pressure. A straight conversation about what would actually move the needle. I reply to every message within 48 hours.