Skeleton Key
Skeleton Key is a St. Louis-based custom software development and business process consulting firm, founded in 2002, building bespoke Claris FileMaker applications for construction, municipal government, education, manufacturing, skilled trades, and nonprofit clients, with HubSpot, Twilio, and AI workflow integrations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersSaint Louis, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Skeleton Key does
Skeleton Key, legally operating as Richman Holdings, LLC (dba Skeleton Key), is a St. Louis, Missouri-based custom software development and business process consulting firm founded in 2002. The company designs, develops, and deploys bespoke software solutions primarily built on the Claris FileMaker platform — for which it holds Platinum Partner status — supplemented by integrations to HubSpot CRM, Twilio communications APIs, and emerging AI/LLM capabilities including retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and LLM-based image processing. Clients include enterprise names such as Bass Pro Shops, mid-market firms such as Helmkamp Construction and RJP Electric, municipal government clients such as the City of Florissant, Missouri, and nonprofits such as CARE, with end users described as "trusted by thousands" across leading retailers, manufacturers, construction firms, and municipal governments.
The firm's revenue model is anchored in project-based custom software development fees, supplemented by a recurring revenue stream from Managed Solution Support (MSS), a monthly subscription service introduced in June 2025 that replaced hourly billing for ongoing technical support, bug fixes, consulting, and monitoring. A minor transaction-fee stream comes from a 3% convenience fee on credit/debit card invoice payments. Distribution is exclusively direct and consultative: engagements begin with no-charge discovery consultations and rely on referrals and repeat clients rather than channel partners, self-service purchase, or geographic resellers. As a Claris Platinum Partner and HubSpot Solutions Partner, Skeleton Key's go-to-market leverages platform partnerships and content marketing (blog, LinkedIn, on-demand webinars) rather than paid acquisition, with a single U.S. headquarters and a distributed delivery team serving clients nationwide.
Skeleton Key firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Skeleton Key
- Legal name
- Richman Holdings, LLC, dba Skeleton Key
- Website
- https://skeletonkey.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Skeleton Key is a St. Louis-based custom software development and business process consulting firm, founded in 2002, building bespoke Claris FileMaker applications for construction, municipal government, education, manufacturing, skilled trades, and nonprofit clients, with HubSpot, Twilio, and AI workflow integrations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Skeleton Key industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Custom Software Development & IT Consulting Services
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Business Support Services (5614)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Service Desk & Help Desk Services (BPAEAJAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Payroll Software & Payroll-as-a-Service (SaaS) (BPACAIAB)
Keywords
Where Skeleton Key is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saint Louis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Skeleton Key business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Custom Software Development: Project-based custom software development services where Skeleton Key builds bespoke solutions tailored to client-specific workflows and business processes. Projects range from mobile applications to web portals to system integrations, with pricing varying based on complexity and scope.
- Managed Solution Support (MSS): Monthly subscription service providing unlimited technical support, bug fixes, consulting, and basic monitoring for existing custom software solutions. Subscribers receive priority access to resources and discounted development rates.
- Invoice Payment Processing: Payment processing for client invoices via ACH, check, credit card, or wire transfer. A 3% convenience fee applies to credit/debit card payments for services-related invoices.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | ACH/Bank Transfer (Preferred) |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Credit/Debit Card - Services |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Credit/Debit Card - Products/Hosting |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Check Payments |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Skeleton Key product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Skeleton Key is a custom software development and business process consulting firm that designs, builds, and supports bespoke software solutions—primarily on the Claris FileMaker platform—for organizations across construction, municipal government, education, manufacturing, skilled trades, and nonprofits. Their offerings include business process consulting, custom application development, system integrations (HubSpot, Twilio), custom AI/LLM workflows, and a monthly subscription support service (Managed Solution Support).
Product overview
Skeleton Key is a custom software development and business process consulting firm based in St. Louis, MO. The company operates as a single unified offering — custom software development paired with consulting — with Claris FileMaker serving as the primary development platform and several specialized practice areas: HubSpot implementation and integration, Twilio communications integration, custom AI workflow solutions, and Managed Solution Support (MSS), a subscription-based support model. The core portfolio centers on Claris FileMaker Development as the dominant sub-brand, complemented by AI-powered custom workflows (e.g., LLM-based image processing for Historic Images), CRM integration via HubSpot, and SMS/text messaging via Twilio. Skeleton Key does not sell off-the-shelf software; every solution is purpose-built for individual clients across industries including construction, manufacturing, municipal government, education, and healthcare.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Custom Software Development Bespoke software built to fit each client's unique workflows, processes, and business challenges. Skeleton Key designs, develops, tests, and deploys custom solutions across web, mobile, and desktop platforms primarily on the Claris FileMaker platform, targeted at organizations in construction, government, education, manufacturing, and skilled trades.
- Business Process Consulting Advisory services to identify operational friction, root-cause problems, and improvement opportunities. Includes user story mapping, stakeholder interviews, and process diagnostics to ensure software solutions address the most valuable problems, targeted at organizational leaders across industries.
- Managed Solution Support (MSS) Monthly subscription support service replacing hourly-rate billing. Includes unlimited investigation of reported issues and bugs, unlimited quick fixes, unlimited general consulting, and basic solution monitoring. Subscribers receive priority access to resources and discounted development rates, targeted at existing custom-software clients.
- Claris FileMaker Development Custom application development, web interfaces, and mobile apps built on the Claris FileMaker platform. Skeleton Key is a Claris Platinum Partner. Solutions range from standalone databases to integrated enterprise systems with API connections, AI capabilities, and disaster recovery features, targeted at organizations needing tailored database applications.
- HubSpot Implementation & Integration HubSpot Solutions Partner services including CRM deployment, onboarding, process reengineering, data migration, and custom integrations connecting HubSpot with FileMaker and other business systems via API and webhooks, targeted at organizations adopting or expanding HubSpot CRM.
- Twilio Integration Services Custom Twilio Studio integration for SMS, MMS, and RCS messaging workflows including automated reminders, follow-up notifications, two-way messaging, HIPAA-compliant workflows, and multi-factor authentication integrated natively within existing software applications, targeted at healthcare and service organizations needing compliant communications.
- Custom AI Workflow Solutions AI-powered custom software solutions built to address specific client challenges. Includes LLM-based image processing with metadata extraction, RAG pipelines for document Q&A, AI-assisted data interpretation, and custom AI workflows tailored to organizational needs (e.g., Historic Images solution that reduced image processing costs by 98%), targeted at organizations with specialized AI processing needs at scale.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduced image processing costs by 98% for Historic Images
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Skeleton Key
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Skeleton Key technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability9 records
Feature6 records
Skeleton Key partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.
- HubSpotcoreSkeleton Key is a HubSpot Solutions Partner, helping organizations deploy and adopt HubSpot CRM. They specialize in implementing HubSpot, migrating data, connecting it with other systems, and optimizing workflows. Their expertise includes custom API integrations connecting HubSpot with FileMaker systems and other enterprise software via webhooks for real-time data synchronization.
- Claris (FileMaker)coreAs a Claris Platinum Partner, Skeleton Key specializes in building custom software solutions on the Claris FileMaker platform. They have deep expertise in Claris FileMaker development, Claris Connect integration, and Claris Studio. The company regularly publishes about new FileMaker releases and leverages the platform's capabilities for custom AI integration, disaster recovery, and mobile app development.
- TwiliosupportingSkeleton Key builds custom Twilio Studio integrations for SMS/MMS messaging workflows, including appointment reminders, follow-up notifications, HIPAA-compliant healthcare communications, and multi-factor authentication. They integrate Twilio capabilities natively within client software and processes using custom API development.
- ZipRecruiterminorSkeleton Key uses ZipRecruiter to post job listings for positions such as Intern Developer, advertising career opportunities to potential candidates.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Skeleton Key competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Soliant Consulting: Long-standing custom Claris FileMaker development consultancy. Directly comparable in core platform, service model, and target verticals (mid-market custom business apps on FileMaker).
- DB Services: Custom FileMaker development and consulting firm of similar size. Closely comparable platform focus (Claris FileMaker), delivery model, and SMB/mid-market customer base.
- 360Works: FileMaker plugin, hosting, and custom development provider operating in the same Claris ecosystem. Comparable as a FileMaker-specialized development and consulting peer.
- Geist Interactive: Claris FileMaker consultancy specializing in custom business solutions. Directly comparable in platform expertise and bespoke development model, though primarily Latin America–based.
- 8th Light: Boutique custom software consultancy of similar size and maturity. Comparable in custom application development, technical craftsmanship, and consultative delivery, though not FileMaker-focused.
Broad incumbents
- West Monroe Partners: Mid-market technology and management consultancy with a custom software/digital practice. Comparable in serving mid-market enterprise clients with bespoke technology solutions, though at much larger scale.
- Slalom: Large custom technology and consulting firm with a strong custom application development practice. Comparable business model and customer segments, though broader and significantly larger than Skeleton Key.
Emerging players
- SmartBug Media: HubSpot Elite Solutions Partner specializing in CRM implementation and inbound marketing. Comparable as a partner-channel-led consultancy focused on a specific platform (HubSpot), analogous to Skeleton Key's FileMaker/Claris focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Skeleton Key social profiles
Digital presenceSkeleton Key financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Skeleton Key leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Skeleton Key funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Skeleton Key M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Skeleton Key
What does Skeleton Key do?
Skeleton Key is a custom software development and business process consulting firm that designs, builds, and supports bespoke software solutions—primarily on the Claris FileMaker platform—for organizations across construction, municipal government, education, manufacturing, skilled trades, and nonprofits. Their offerings include business process consulting, custom application development, system integrations (HubSpot, Twilio), custom AI/LLM workflows, and a monthly subscription support service (Managed Solution Support).
Is Skeleton Key a public or private company?
Skeleton Key is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Skeleton Key founded?
Skeleton Key was founded in 2002. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Skeleton Key based?
Skeleton Key is headquartered in Saint Louis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Skeleton Key make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Custom Software Development is the primary driver. The others are managed Solution Support (MSS) and invoice Payment Processing.
Who are Skeleton Key's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Soliant Consulting, DB Services, 360Works, Geist Interactive and 8th Light. Broad incumbents are West Monroe Partners and Slalom. SmartBug Media is listed as an emerging player.
Does Skeleton Key have an API?
No public API is recorded for Skeleton Key.
What industry is Skeleton Key in?
Skeleton Key's product category is Custom Software Development & IT Consulting Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEAJAA, Service Desk & Help Desk Services, with a secondary code of BPACAIAB, Payroll Software & Payroll-as-a-Service (SaaS). Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7372.