# #entrepreneurship — Jan Wilmake's Blog

Posts tagged with **entrepreneurship**

## Posts

- [2025 in review, and plans for the coming year of DevRel](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2026/parallel-role-2026.md): 1/4/2026 - Reflecting on my first year as DevRel at Parallel—2.5M X impressions, cookbooks, MCP integrations, and LLMTEXT—and outlining my 2026 strategy for building SaaS on the agentic internet.
- [hardware-screenless](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2024/hardware-screenless.md): 1/1/2024 - Argues against the need for new hardware for AI assistants, proposing that existing simple phones paired with good headphones can deliver bidirectional voice interfaces effectively.
- [scalable-ideas](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2024/scalable-ideas.md): 1/1/2024 - Demonstrates how LLMs enable scalable knowledge work by breaking down complex tasks into API-driven subtasks, using building websites for GitHub repos as a practical example.
- [Why are systems always so hard to integrate with other systems?](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2024/why-are-systems-not-working-together.md): 1/1/2024 - Analyzes the barriers preventing seamless system integration and proposes solutions like API search engines and GPT normalization to overcome vendor lock-in and integration complexity.
- [Why I won't join your startup](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2024/why-i-wont-join-your-startup.md): 1/1/2024 - Advocates for independent one-person companies forming reciprocal networks instead of traditional co-founder startups, reducing interpersonal risk while maintaining autonomy and flexibility.
- [Increasing innovateability](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2023/innovateability.md): 8/1/2023 - Proposes a new system called "purpose driven openness" that uses LLMs to calculate alignment between entities, enabling innovation while preventing misuse of shared technologies.
- [**Integrating AI into Business Sectors**](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2023/immerse-yourself-in-ai.md): 1/1/2023 - Shares practical insights on integrating AI into businesses, covering GPT applications, privacy considerations, and advice for startups and enthusiasts embracing the AI revolution.
- [How developers could get paid using blockchain and smart contracts](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2021/low-barrier-blockchain-job-platform.md): 10/15/2021 - A vision for revolutionizing developer compensation using blockchain and smart contracts, where developers get paid per pull request instead of hourly rates, with payments based on code quality, time spent, and peer reviews in an open-source environment.
- [Lessons learned building the second version of FriendTime](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2021/things-i-learned-making-the-second-version-of-friendtime.md): 7/13/2021 - Key product development lessons learned from building FriendTime v2, including the importance of simple validation before adding features, avoiding premature monetization, and the underestimated time cost of final touches.
- [Quitting my job, living cheap, working full time on my startup(s). Saving hundreds of euro's every month.](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2021/quit-job.md): 2/10/2021 - The story of quitting a job to work full-time on startups and implementing aggressive cost-cutting measures to reduce monthly expenses by 300 euros, extending runway to 3 years with 20k in savings.
- [Expanding at the speed of light, and preserving it into eternity](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2021/expanding-at-the-speed-of-light.md): 1/3/2021 - A philosophical exploration of humanity's ultimate purpose to expand in all directions at the speed of light, starting with the evolution revolution on Earth before spreading to other planets and eventually focusing on preservation.
- [My new startup - BackpackingTribe - is taking off!](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2020/my-new-startup-backpacking-tribe-is-taking-off.md): 10/30/2020 - The launch story of BackpackingTribe, a platform connecting backpackers to travel together in groups from hostel to hostel, including validation strategies, marketing efforts through Facebook and Google ads, travel blogger outreach, and the business model based on hostel booking commissions.
- [The (dis)advantages of making your mobile app invite only](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/the-dis-advantages-of-making-your-app-invite-only.md): 10/29/2019 - Weighing the pros and cons of making your mobile app invite-only, from collecting emails and creating scarcity to potential user churn and missing App Store traffic.
- [The problem we're solving with FriendTime](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/the-problem-were-solving-with-friendtime.md): 10/27/2019 - How FriendTime addresses contact chaos, privacy concerns, sparse relationships, disconnectedness, and social media addiction through a freemium model focused on real connections.
- [Why I made FriendTime](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/why-i-made-dunbar.md): 10/27/2019 - The journey from creating an addictive mafia game to building FriendTime, an app designed to bring people together in real life and maintain meaningful relationships.
- [The SaaS Stages Funnel](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/the-saas-stages-funnel.md): 6/7/2019 - Understanding the stages from idea to market in a SaaS startup and why senior developers should be aware of these stages to become more driven and successful.
- [The advantages of open sourcing](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/open-source-advantages.md): 5/15/2019 - The strategic advantages of open sourcing code including feature separation, attracting developers, community contributions, potential revenue through licensing, and viral growth opportunities.
- [The solution to the PO Fallacy - How to code more, and plan less](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/how-to-code-more-and-plan-less.md): 5/1/2019 - Overcoming the PO Fallacy by moving todos into the codebase instead of GitHub to reduce context-switching and increase time spent coding versus planning.
- [Lean Life](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/lean-life.md): 4/23/2019 - Adopting a lean lifestyle as a solo entrepreneur with rules for freelancing, managing finances, and maximizing time for personal startup projects while maintaining financial security.
- [MVP within a week](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/poc-within-a-week.md): 4/1/2019 - Offering to build proof-of-concept mobile apps within a week using React Native, Node JS, and SQL with thorough testing and App Store deployment.
- [How to convince your next freelance project that you can work parttime](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/convince-freelance-projects-part-time.md): 3/28/2019 - How to convince companies that working part-time on multiple projects can actually improve focus, productivity, and value through cross-project learning and dedicated work days.
- [Qualitative versus Quantitative Scaling in your startup](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/qualitative-versus-quantitative-scaling-in-your-startup.md): 3/25/2019 - Comparing qualitative scaling (adding features) versus quantitative scaling (expanding internationally) for startups and why going global might be the better choice.
- [How much does it cost to build an app?](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/how-much-does-it-cost-to-build-an-app.md): 3/20/2019 - Principles for keeping app development costs low by focusing on your USP, using React Native, maintaining a simple development environment, and avoiding premature scaling.
- [What is the best way to test new features in your React Native App?](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/what-is-the-best-way-to-test-new-features-in-your-react-native-app.md): 3/19/2019 - Comparing seven methods for testing new features in React Native apps, from local testing to Expo channels, beta roles, and Firebase A/B testing.
- [Why I think working at two startups is better than one](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/why-i-think-two-startups-is-better-than-one.md): 3/19/2019 - Why working at two startups simultaneously reduces risk, enables cross-learning, creates competition for better compensation, and increases chances of success.
- [I just made an app in 26 hours](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/i-just-made-an-app-in-26-hours.md): 3/10/2019 - How I built Dunbar, a relationship management app, in just 26 hours by leveraging high motivation, Expo, minimal boilerplate, and open source libraries.
- [Forcing your app users to update the app](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/forcing-your-app-users-to-update-the-app.md): 2/24/2019 - A guide on implementing version control in your mobile app to force users to update when needed, using backend endpoints and update screens with over-the-air or store updates.
- [How got get your app under control? Remove wildgrow, KISS, monolithize](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/how-got-get-your-app-under-control-remove-wildgrow-monolithize.md): 2/24/2019 - How to regain control of a clumsy startup codebase by simplifying development ecosystems, using JavaScript only, vertical scaling, and considering monoliths over microservices.
- [Human Directions: A startup idea](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/human-directions-a-startup-idea.md): 2/24/2019 - A startup idea for a maps app that provides navigation based on places you've already discovered, using human-friendly directions to help you learn the city instead of becoming dependent on GPS.
- [Processing feedback of your users in your app: HockeyApp, Intercom, WhatsApp?](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/processing-feedback-of-your-users-in-your-app-hockeyapp-intercom-whatsapp.md): 2/24/2019 - Comparing different methods for collecting user feedback in mobile apps including Intercom, WhatsApp, HockeyApp, and custom native solutions.
- [Deep Dream Devs](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/deep-dream-devs.md): 2/12/2019 - Exploring how predictive programming using neural networks could revolutionize software development and potentially reduce the demand for traditional programmers.
- [Never let your API go down with a flexible client](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/never-go-down.md): 1/29/2019 - How to prevent API downtime by implementing a flexible client that monitors server CPU load and automatically reduces query frequency during high load periods.
- [Seven mistakes I think my software company made building their React Native App](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/seven-mistakes-react-native-app.md): 1/16/2019 - Seven critical mistakes to avoid when building React Native apps including premature complexity, messy codebases, lack of product-market fit validation, and poor user retention strategies.
- [Chat-BaaS: Chat Backend as a Service](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/chat-baas.md): 1/11/2019 - A startup idea for Chat Backend as a Service that provides universal chat functionality with open source front-end components and automated scaling for React Native and Node JS apps.
- [Perfections VS Speed in Data-driven React Native Apps](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/perfections-vs-speed.md): 1/11/2019 - Why staying with Expo and avoiding native dependencies saves development time and reduces bugs, helping startups ship faster with limited resources.
- [Scaling Horizontally to one million RPS](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/scaling.md): 1/11/2019 - A comprehensive geo-scaling plan for horizontally scaling to millions of RPS using automated server splitting, merging, and load balancing based on community sharding.
- [The new hackers will impersonate the ones you love](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/the-new-hackers.md): 1/11/2019 - How advancing AI tools for face and voice replication will enable sophisticated impersonation attacks, making verified platforms essential for online security.
- [Today I open-sourced nearly 10% of my codebase](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/today-i-open-sourced-nearly-20-of-my-codebase.md): 1/11/2019 - Open sourcing React Native libraries including Super Image, Super Actionsheet, and Data Forms to share reusable components with the developer community.
- [Why code ownership is a must for agile development](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2019/code-ownership.md): 1/5/2019 - Exploring why code ownership is essential for agile development and how feature ownership can diminish inefficiencies and bottlenecks in development teams.
- [In search for the perfect Communication App for Co-Working spaces: Slack, Facebook groups, and beyond](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2018/networking-coworking.md): 11/14/2018 - An analysis of communication tools in coworking spaces, comparing Slack, Facebook Groups, and LinkedIn, and introducing Communify as a purpose-built platform for fostering local collaboration and community.
- [Publishing your expo app to both app stores](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2018/expo-standalone-publishing.md): 3/31/2018 - A detailed step-by-step guide for publishing Expo apps to the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, covering configuration, builds, credentials, screenshots, and updates.
- [The rise of the Solo Dev Startup — 7 Reasons why writing useful apps on your own becomes moore easy](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2018/solo-dev-startup.md): 3/9/2018 - An analysis of seven technological and cultural trends making solo app development increasingly viable, from React Native and Apollo GraphQL to open-source libraries and Moore's law.
- [Collaborations in the coworking space often rely on coincidence](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2018/collaborations-in-the-coworking-space.md): 3/7/2018 - Observations on how professional collaborations in coworking spaces still rely heavily on coincidence, and why location-based networking platforms are needed for digital nomads.
- [Meet iProud: The productivity app for entrepreneurs!](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2018/iproud.md): 3/7/2018 - Introducing iProud, a productivity to-do app for entrepreneurs built in 2 weeks after 6 months of learning, designed to help users make lists, complete tasks, and connect with others.
- [The most complex app I ever made, made it to both app stores!](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2018/the-most-complex-app-i-ever-made-made-it-to-both-app-stores.md): 3/7/2018 - A brief celebration of successfully launching MasterCrimeZ to both iOS App Store and Google Play Store after 4 months of development.
- [Should you go web or native?](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2018/should-you-go-web-or-native.md): 3/6/2018 - A decision framework for choosing between web and native app development, evaluating capabilities, platform preferences, user acquisition, retention strategies, and cost considerations including PWAs versus React Native.
- [The MVP Challenge - From 0 to MVP in 100 days: Using Expo](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2018/the-mvp-challenge.md): 3/6/2018 - A comprehensive guide to building an MVP in 100 days using React Native and Expo, covering coding style decisions, architecture choices, work ethic, and a detailed workflow from setup to launch.
- [How I’m going to make 2018 my most impactful year yet — A clear vision, fear-setting, and a crystal clear plan.](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2018/2018-year-of-creation.md): 1/19/2018 - A personal manifesto outlining ambitious 2018 goals, using fear-setting and extreme accountability measures to build two apps while pursuing a vision of working productively in paradise.
- [Routine](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2017/routine.md): 11/19/2017 - A detailed breakdown of a productive daily routine for solo entrepreneurs combining morning workouts, focused coding sessions, kitesurfing, and evening reflection while avoiding common pitfalls like analysis paralysis and social media distractions.
- [Real artists Ship - A look back at 2017.](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2017/real-artists-ship.md): 11/9/2017 - A reflective look back at 2017 as a year of learning React Native and JavaScript, documenting the journey from ideas and failed projects to finally achieving productive flow and being ready to ship real products.
- [Why openness from day one is so damn important for solo entrepreneurs in software](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2017/why-openness-from-day-one-is-so-damn-important-for-solo-entrepreneurs.md): 10/9/2017 - Four reasons why solo software entrepreneurs should share their startup journey openly from day one, including getting valuable feedback, mutual learning, social accountability, and maintaining happiness during long development cycles.
- [My energy levels in Eat Code Kite Repeat: Being in alignment with your environment](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2017/be-here-now-flow-zone-alignment-energy-levels-nothing-else-matters.md): 9/28/2017 - Finding alignment with your environment to achieve flow state, balancing mental energy from coding with physical energy from kitesurfing to build an MVP.
- [Counterproductive behaviors of solo-entrepreneurs](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2017/counterproductive-behaviors-of-solo-entrepreneurs.md): 8/4/2017 - How solo entrepreneurs can maximize productivity by suppressing urges for doubt and communication, creating focused environments and turning decisions into habits.
- [Cycling through your life part II - DevOps vs. Marketing in software companies](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2017/devops-marketing.md): 7/17/2017 - Why DevOps and product quality matter more than marketing - truly good products don't need advertisements, they market themselves.
- [Cycling through your life part III: The μCycle](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2017/the-mcycle.md): 7/17/2017 - A conceptual framework for personal growth through rapid iteration, creating a feedback loop that cycles through dreaming, planning, learning, creating, and sharing to accelerate learning and development.
- [What coding teached me about business (and vice versa)](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2017/what-coding-teaches-me-about-business.md): 7/4/2017 - Six key principles learned from coding that apply to business: structure, logic, efficiency, automation, independence, and transparency.
- [Nomadic Entrepreneurs Interview #1 - Tomas Laurinavicius](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2017/nomadic-entrepreneurs-interview-1-tomas-laurinavicius.md): 7/3/2017 - An interview with Lithuanian lifestyle entrepreneur Tomas Laurinavicius about his journey from self-taught designer to nomadic blogger, his mission to empower one million people, and tips for aspiring location-independent entrepreneurs.
- [5 Reasons why Groningen is underrated as a place for Digital Nomads](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2017/groningen-digital-nomads.md): 6/30/2017 - Five compelling reasons why Groningen, Netherlands is an underrated destination for digital nomads, from affordable living and great coworking spaces to vibrant nightlife and a high concentration of talented students.
- [The Best Co-Working and Flexworking spaces in Groningen 2017](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2017/the-best-co-working-and-flexworking-spaces-in-groningen-2017.md): 6/30/2017 - A comprehensive guide to the best coworking and flexworking spaces in Groningen, from Launch Café to The Big Building and social work cafés.
- [Time management](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2017/time-management.md): 6/19/2017 - A framework for managing screen time and prioritizing tasks as an entrepreneur by blocking distracting websites during specific periods, applying the Pareto Principle to focus 80% of time on the most important work.
- [4 Reasons Writing Makes You A More Succesful Entrepreneur](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2017/why-i-write.md): 6/14/2017 - Four key reasons why writing and blogging benefits entrepreneurs: promoting openness, helping achieve goals through accountability, serving as efficient networking, and organizing thoughts effectively.
- [4 ways nomadic entrepreneurs can reduce their Carbon Footprint](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2017/nomadic-entrepreneurs-reduce-carbon-footprint.md): 6/11/2017 - An analysis of how nomadic entrepreneurs can reduce their carbon footprint through shared facilities, public transport, and mindful consumption, despite the high emissions from flights.
- [My solution to revert global warming is creating a status-symbol of your CO2 footprint: A simple MVP idea](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2017/reverting-global-warming.md): 6/11/2017 - A startup MVP idea to combat global warming by creating an app that turns carbon footprint reduction into a status symbol, gamifying sustainable lifestyle choices through social recognition and financial incentives.
- [True Entrepreneurship](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2017/entrepreneurship.md): 6/6/2017 - A short poetic reflection on true entrepreneurship inspired by Columbus, emphasizing the importance of taking risks and daring to do what others call stupidity to discover new truths.
- [The habit of Change](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2017/habit-of-change.md): 4/28/2017 - A philosophical reflection on why developing a habit of change is essential in our rapidly evolving world, using the metaphor of a rock in a river to illustrate how adaptability creates resilience and growth.
- [The Hawk-view every starting solo entrepreneur needs](https://blog.janwilmake.com/2017/hawk-view-entrepreneur-needs.md): 4/24/2017 - Lessons from working intensively on a startup about the importance of maintaining a broader perspective as a solo entrepreneur, balancing four key areas: learning, creating, networking, and sharing.