Ricardo Dantas

Mentoring for developers and for companies.

Career advice if you write code. A practical look at AI if you run a business. One conversation at a time, on video, in English or Portuguese.

See sessions and book

How I mentor

I have worked as a software developer for a long time, built and shipped my own apps, and maintain open-source tools.

I mentor in two areas. Both are conversations about your situation, not lectures. I give you my honest view, including when the answer is “that is not worth doing”.

For developers

Developers at any level who want help with their career. You might be stuck in a role, aiming at senior or staff, thinking about a change, or trying to build something on the side.

Topics

  • Getting unstuck: when work feels stagnant and you cannot tell why
  • Levelling up to senior or staff: what changes, and how to show it
  • Switching stacks or roles, including moving into mobile or going independent
  • Going indie: side projects, picking an idea, finishing and launching
  • Interviews, promotions and asking for what you are worth
  • Building a public profile: portfolio, open source, writing
  • Working with AI tools as a developer: what helps, what slows you down

What a session looks like

You tell me where you are and what you want. I read what you send beforehand, such as a CV, portfolio or a short note. On the call we work through your situation and agree concrete next steps.

I base my advice on my own path as a developer, indie app builder and open-source maintainer, and I will say when something is outside my experience.

Session types

Career call

45 min

€90/ session

Best forOne focused question or decision, with next steps.

Book a slot

Deep dive

90 min

€160/ session

Best forReview your CV, portfolio or side project in detail, and plan the next quarter.

Book a slot

4-session package

4 × 60 min

€400/ package

Best forOngoing mentoring over a few weeks, with notes between calls.

€100 per session. Valid for 5 months.

Email me to book

For companies

Founders, owners and leaders of small and medium-sized companies, and product or engineering leads, who are asking "should we be using AI, and how?" You do not need a technical team to start.

Topics

  • Finding where AI actually helps your business, and where it does not
  • Choosing tools and models for the job
  • Build or buy: off-the-shelf tools, custom work, or nothing yet
  • Running a first pilot: scope, success measures, and when to stop
  • AI inside your product versus AI in internal workflows
  • Upskilling your team
  • Costs and risks: running costs, accuracy, and what can go wrong

What a session looks like

You send a short description of the business and the problem. On the call I ask questions, challenge assumptions and help you pick one or two things worth trying. You get a short written summary afterwards with recommendations and next steps. No slide decks full of buzzwords.

If you need something built or integrated, that is consulting. Mentoring is for deciding what to do, consulting is for doing it.

Session types

AI strategy session

60 min

€250/ session

Best forMap where AI could help, pick priorities, leave with a short written summary.

Book a slot

Team workshop

Half day, 3–4 h

€1,200/ session

Best forA remote working session with your team, up to 12 people, on tools, use cases and a first pilot.

Email me to book

4-session advisory package

4 × 60 min

€850/ package

Best forGuidance through scoping, running and reviewing a first pilot.

€212.50 per session. Valid for 5 months.

Email me to book

How booking works

Both tracks use the same flow.

  1. Pick a session

    From the session types above, or the list under Book a session.

  2. Book a slot or email me

    Pick a slot on Google for sessions with a booking link and pay with Stripe to confirm it; for packages and workshops, email me with two or three times that suit you.

  3. Get a Google Meet link

    By email and in your calendar invite.

  4. Send me a few lines

    About what you want to cover, before the call if you can.

All sessions are remote, on Google Meet, in English or Portuguese.

Book a session

Booking links open Google in a new tab.

Pick your session

Sessions with a booking link open Google in a new tab, where you pick a slot and pay with Stripe to confirm it. For packages and workshops, email me with two or three times that suit you, and I confirm a time and the price.

For developers

For companies

Something not working? Email me@ricardodantas.me.

Cancellation and rescheduling

  • Reschedule for free with at least 24 hours’ notice.
  • Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice, and no-shows, count as a used session and are not refunded.
  • Team workshops need 72 hours’ notice to reschedule or cancel.
  • If I have to cancel, you choose a full refund or a new slot.
  • 4-session packages are valid for 5 months from the first session.

Use the link in your confirmation email to reschedule, or reply to it.

FAQ

Which languages do you mentor in?
English and Portuguese.
Are sessions in person?
No. Everything is remote, on Google Meet.
What should I prepare?
Developers: a CV, portfolio or a short note on what you want to decide. Companies: a few lines on the business, the process you are looking at and what you have already tried. If you have nothing, we start from scratch.
Will you keep what I share confidential?
Yes, as you would expect from any professional. I do not share what you tell me about you or your company.
Will you promise results, like a promotion or a cost saving?
No. I give you my honest view and a clear plan. What happens next depends on what you do with it.
Do you recommend specific AI products?
I will suggest what fits your case.
Can you build it for me?
Not in a mentoring session. If you need an app, a backend, or an AI feature built, see Consulting.
How do I pay?
For sessions you book on Google, you pay with Stripe (card) when you book. For packages and workshops, I confirm the price by email before we start.
What if I need to cancel?
Free rescheduling up to 24 hours before (72 hours for workshops); later cancellations and no-shows count as used. See Cancellation and rescheduling.