Understanding Entreprenerds: A Letter from a Successful Business Owner

Self-identification as an 'entreprenerd' encapsulates a unique blend of two roles: a nerd and an entrepreneur. My journey as an individual who started and runs businesses based on open source software exemplifies my dual identity. As a software developer with a technical background, my niche lies in leveraging free and open source software to create robust business models.

The Role of a Nerd

My technical background is rooted in writing free and open source software. This experience laid the foundation for my entrepreneurial endeavors. Being called a 'nerd' was not just an identity choice, but a reflection of my pride in my technical expertise. Software development remains a passion and a skill set that I continuously refine and improve.

The Entrepreneurial Journey

Translating tech skills into a profitable venture was not an easy feat. Despite initial misconceptions that free and open source software was merely 'free as in free beer,' I managed to build a successful business around it. The success story is detailed in my article, Entreprenerd Building a Multi-Million-Dollar Business with Open Source Software. This narrative covers three key segments:

Part I: The development of the software. Part II: Various business models that were tested. Part III: The growth trajectory from startup to exit strategy.

Supporting Young Entrepreneurs

My involvement with young entrepreneurs is not limited to a large financial commitment. Instead, I prefer to offer small sums of encouragement and informal business advice. This approach is better suited for fostering genuine growth and creativity. If you search my profile on Quora using various financial keywords, you will find evidence of my willingness to share my knowledge.

Previous Ventures and Future Plans

While my early ventures did not materialize successfully, the lessons learned from those experiences have been invaluable. I am considering launching a new venture upon retirement, specifically when I turn 62 and have the financial support from Social Security. The initial ideas include developing innovative products such as:

A microwave that synchronizes heat beams with the rotating entree, keeping vegetables and ice cream cold. Electroluminescent toys like racecars or glow-in-the-dark characters (Buzz Lightyear) that generate their own electricity from piezoelectric elements. Laser-YN-advertising on edible pizza tables for dynamic advertising. Interactive fortune cookie games with laser engraving for a unique gaming experience. Automatically generating free French fries by incorporating laser advertising on each steak fry.

A Business Owner’s Perspective

Contrary to the hype surrounding the term 'entrepreneur,' my primary goals are financial success and business growth. I believe that the term 'entrepreneur' is more of a fashionable label than a practical description of someone focused on making a living and nurturing their companies. I enjoy the aspect of inventing and creating, but I am driven by the need to be successful in a tangible way through money and business growth.

My current endeavors involve operating both a Software as a Service (SaaS) product and a consulting firm. These roles are all about assisting my clients in achieving their business objectives and ensuring their success. Unlike the stereotypical entrepreneur, I am not in this for the temporary status or the 'cool' factor; I am here to build and grow sustainable businesses that can endure and thrive in the market.