Join Josh, Ben, and John Nunemaker as they dive into the fascinating world of technology entrepreneurship. Hear about John's recent acquisition of Fireside.fm, the challenges of navigating on-call tech issues, and the shift to managed database services. The trio shares insights on business deals, financing options, and the intricacies of aligning incentives during mergers. They also reflect on the importance of networking at tech conferences and offer valuable lessons for aspiring podcasters and entrepreneurs.
The podcast highlights the evolving dynamics post-Rails World conference, emphasizing increased European participation and its impact on community engagement.
John Nunemaker discusses the challenges of managing on-call duties, reinforcing the mental strain it can impose on developers.
The episode delves into the acquisition of Fireside.fm, stressing the importance of customer retention and aligning product development with user feedback.
Deep dives
Reflections on Rails World
The attendees reflect on their experiences at the Rails World conference, noting the differing dynamics compared to RailsConf. One member found that despite being prepared to attend talks, engaging discussions with familiar faces took precedence. They observed a notable increase in European participants, which enriched the networking experience. This shift in attendee demographics added a collaborative atmosphere, merging various Ruby communities together.
The Pager Duty Dilemma
The conversation shifts to the challenges of being on-call, particularly in relation to the pager duty system. One speaker expresses relief at not having worked on-call throughout his career, while his counterparts describe the stressful nature of night shifts. They discuss the importance of ensuring that alerts break through disturbances to guarantee timely responses. This discussion highlights the significant toll that such responsibilities can take on developers' mental and physical well-being.
Acquiring Fireside.fm
A significant topic of the episode is the acquisition of Fireside.fm, a podcast hosting service that was recently purchased by one of the hosts. The process began with a simple text, leading to discussions about the value and mission of the company. The new owner emphasizes the importance of preserving the customer base and ensuring that the service remains reliable and user-friendly. This acquisition is seen not just as a business venture, but as a chance to meet specific customer needs in the podcasting space.
Navigating Business Finances
The complexities of financing the acquisition are thoroughly examined, particularly the balance between commercial loans and SBA loans. The host articulates the need for protection against high interest rates, emphasizing a preference for leveraging personal assets to secure lower financing costs. The strategy chosen favors a long repayment term without penalties, allowing flexibility for cash flow management. This financial planning reflects a cautious yet proactive approach to managing and growing the newly acquired business.
Future Goals for Very Good Software
Looking ahead, the team outlines their vision for the newly rebranded company, Very Good Software, emphasizing the need for stability and gradual enhancements. Their immediate goals include system upgrades to improve performance and ease of use for customers. They intend to engage with existing users to gather feedback on desired features, aiming to align product development with customer needs. The long-term strategy involves fostering a culture of collaboration and responsiveness among their growing team.
Josh and Ben catch up with John Nunemaker after Rails World and dig into John's recent acquisition of Fireside.fm, the podcasting platform created by Dan Benjamin. What's next for John? In short, he's curating some Very Good Software™.