Cheeky Pint Serial entrepreneur Pieter Levels on building in public and living as a digital nomad
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Jul 9, 2025 
Pieter Levels, a serial entrepreneur and the mind behind Nomad List and Remote OK, shares his journey of building online businesses while living as a digital nomad. He discusses the challenges of monetizing digital content since a young age and contrasts indie hacking with traditional VC funding. Pieter reveals how he leverages automation tools like ChatGPT for efficiency and humorously reflects on the quirks of entrepreneurship in Europe, all while arguing for a more supportive environment for innovation. His insights are both practical and thought-provoking!
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Early Merchant Account Attempt
- Pieter Levels remembers his early attempt to get a merchant account at age 12 involving his dad's signature on a risky contract.
- This story highlights early entrepreneurial spirit and the risks involved in online business setup.
Validate Before VC Funding
- Validate your business and gain traction before raising VC money.
- Avoid burning cash on hype startups without product-market fit or customers.
Indie Hacking vs. VC Pressure
- Raising venture funding forces founders to pursue unicorn-scale growth or bust.
- Indie hacking allows profitable companies with full ownership without chasing unrealistic exits.