Learning Integromat in Mexico City: My Latest Work Retreat

Hey everyone, Dave Parrish here from Knack Builders.

I'm back with another update—not just about Knack, but about how I’m taking full advantage of remote work to level up my skills and explore the world. This time, I’m broadcasting from one of the most vibrant cities in the Americas: Mexico City.

Why I'm Here: A Work Retreat with a Purpose

If you followed my journey earlier this year, you know I spent a few months in Ecuador. I like to call these trips “work retreats”. They’re not vacations—far from it. These are dedicated stretches where I relocate for a change of scenery and focus on a specific professional goal.

This time? I’m diving deep into Integromat (now called Make)—a powerful tool for automating and integrating cloud apps.

What Is Integromat (aka Make), and Why Am I Learning It?

If you're familiar with Zapier, then you already get the concept. Integromat is essentially the glue of the internet—it connects different cloud-based applications and automates actions between them. And it's becoming more and more important in the no-code/low-code world, especially when working with platforms like Knack.

Even though I’ve built a strong practice helping clients with Knack, I’ve only scratched the surface with tools like Integromat. Many of my peers are already integrating it into their client projects. So this trip is my chance to catch up, get hands-on, and really understand what’s possible.

Living & Working in Mexico City: The Setup

I landed in Mexico City yesterday on a direct flight from Detroit. It only took about four hours—and I got a round-trip ticket for just $362!

I'm staying in a charming neighborhood called Coyoacán, known for its colonial history, cobblestone streets, and artsy vibe. Fun fact: it's the same neighborhood where Frida Kahlo lived, and also where Leon Trotsky was assassinated with a mountaineering ice axe. (Yes, seriously—just a few blocks from where I’m writing this!)

My Airbnb

I found a great one-bedroom Airbnb apartment for just $607/month. It’s got a balcony, a small kitchen, a comfortable workspace, and it’s right in the heart of the city.

The hosts are incredible—a violinist in the symphony and a professional ballerina. They even lent me a retro-style bike to get around.

My Workspace

As much as I love a good coffee shop, I also signed up for a co-working space nearby. It’s a short bike ride away and gives me a professional setting to focus during the day. When you’re doing the digital nomad thing, having a consistent, focused environment makes a big difference.

Why Mexico? Time Zones & Language

One reason I chose Mexico City over other popular remote work destinations like Barcelona or Bali is the time zone. Working with clients back in the U.S., it's essential to stay in sync. Mexico City is just one hour behind Eastern Time, which makes everything smoother.

Plus, I already have some Spanish skills and familiarity with Latin American culture—so it’s a win-win.

Diving Into Integromat: Real-World Examples

Now back to the main event—Integromat and how it connects with Knack.

I like to think of Integromat as the “no-code API guy.” Normally, to get apps to talk to each other—say, Knack and QuickBooks—you’d need a developer to write custom API code. That’s expensive, time-consuming, and hard to maintain.

With Integromat, I can build those same connections without writing a single line of code.

Example 1: Photo Automation

Let’s say you receive an email with photo attachments.

You could set up an Integromat scenario where:

• The attachments are saved to a Google Sheet

• A Facebook post is automatically created using those images

• At the same time, the photos are zipped and archived to Dropbox

All of this happens automatically—no manual steps required.

Example 2: Knack + Twilio = Text Alerts

One common request I get is, “Can Knack send a text message?”

Well, not directly. But with Integromat, you can set up a workflow like this:

• A sales lead is assigned to a rep in Knack

• Integromat catches that event and sends the details to Twilio

• Twilio sends a text message to the rep saying: “You’ve got a new lead!”

No code. Just automation.

Example 3: Knack + QuickBooks Integration

Need your Knack CRM and QuickBooks in sync?

Integromat can do it both ways:

• Add a new customer in Knack → It automatically creates one in QuickBooks

• Or create a new customer in QuickBooks → It shows up in Knack

These kinds of integrations save time, reduce errors, and make systems work together, not in silos.

Learn more about Make and Knack: https://www.make.com/en/integrations/knack

The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters

Look, the truth is: Code often gets in the way. What really matters is understanding how to move and manage data to support real business goals.

Tools like Knack and Integromat let us focus on the logic and flow—without getting bogged down by syntax and server errors. That’s where I think the future is headed.

And that’s why I’m here—learning, experimenting, and adding more tools to the toolbox for my clients.

What’s Next?

Next time, I’ll dig into some specific Knack functionality I’ve been exploring lately. But I wanted to share this personal and professional update from the road.

If you found this interesting—or if you’re also on a journey of learning tools like Knack and Integromat—drop a comment or hit that like button. I’d love to hear what you’re working on.

Until next time,Dave

Interested in my Knack database services? ... Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/daveparrish/callwithdave