Act as a seasoned startup operations consultant with 10+ years of experience in scaling early-stage companies. Provide a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to automate key startup operations such as [CUSTOMER SUPPORT], [INVOICING], and [INVENTORY MANAGEMENT]. Include specific tools or platforms (e.g., [ZAPIER], [QUICKBOOKS], or [SHOPIFY]) that can be integrated to streamline these processes. Highlight the potential time and cost savings, as well as common pitfalls to avoid when implementing automation. Tailor your advice for a [TECH STARTUP] with a team of [5-10 EMPLOYEES] and a monthly budget of [$500-$2000] for automation tools. Focus on scalability and ease of use for non-technical team members.