Gordon Casper hails from the Czech Republic. He started developing web applications when he was 15 years old. His latest project is TuneGap, a website that looks to make playing music as simple as a click. No searches, no gadgets, no playlists, no sharing. Only tunes.
Click on tunegap.com and listen to as many songs–watch as many YouTube music video clips–as you’d care to shuffle through. You can go back to a song you liked or move on to the next if something doesn’t catch your fancy. That’s as elaborate as it gets.
College student, restless entrepreneur, tech-missionary of simplicity. Gordon Casper put down the headphones to chat with KillerStartups. Without interrupting the music.
How’d you come up with the name for your company?
Well, I wanted to come up with an original name. Putting words such as music or playlist in the name would’ve been too obvious.
What’s the very first thing you do at work everyday?
Check every major browser to make sure site functionality isn’t impaired, and enjoy some new music.
How many people did you start the company with and how many people work for you now?
TuneGap is very early in its life cycle. I created it on my own, and so far I’ve paid one friend to help me fill TuneGap up with some quality tunes.
Maybe you can describe one of the struggles you’ve been going through?
Some people did not understand the point of this app. Each time I create a new app, I try to push it one more step toward friendliness. But each time there are users who just don’t get what the app offers no matter how simple the app is. It’s almost as if they’re not understanding it on purpose.
How do you handle frustration? When/how was the last time you dealt with frustration?
Keep in mind a clear image of your goal and never give up on it. It does not matter how many people disbelieve in you as long as you believe in yourself. Frustration comes and goes you know. There are times you feel down, but then even the slightest impulse could trigger a first sparkle of happiness.
I think the last time I dealt with frustration was when I was between projects, before I decided what to do next.
What’s your office environment like?
I don’t have an office yet. I’m using my home as my creative environment.
How do you picture your company in 5 years?
I see TuneGap being a daily part of millions of people’s lives, because frankly who doesn’t like to shuffle through some catchy tunes once in a while?
Who or what inspires YOU? Role models? Snack food? Give us the deets, dude!
Honestly, my greatest inspiration was my own need to listen to online music.
How’d you fund this venture? VC? Self-funding? Crowd-funded?
I would like to think of TuneGap as a public service, something that should have existed already but that I was given the opportunity to create. For now, I would go with self-funding.
Got any great bootstrapping tips for the lean startups out there?
If you fail at something, it only means you have not tried enough times. Never give up on your goals, and keep trying no matter how long it takes.
What would you be doing if you had one year off and $500,000 to spend (and you couldn’t spend it on your current startup / projects)?
This answer may be disappointing, however, I believe I would spend the majority of the money on my other projects, and I’d spend the year pretty much working–on something new perhaps. I should include a little vacation to be completely frank, but nothing too fancy.
Do you consider yourself a successful entrepreneur right now? If not, what’s it gonna take to make you feel successful?
Yes, I do consider myself successful, because there would be absolutely no use in considering myself otherwise.
Website you couldn’t live without and why?
Google, obviously. You won’t find a quick solution to your code bugs in the yellow pages, right?
Mobile App you’re in love with and why?
I recently started to use RunKeeper. I walk a lot every day, so it’s nice to keep track of distance and be able to feel awesome about something as simple as taking a walk during lunch break.
Dogs or cats?
Dogs.
iOS or Android?
Android
What’s the greatest thing about your company/website/idea?
That it allows you to be even lazier than you used to be.
Where can our readers get a hold of you? Facebook? Twitter? Google+? Personal blog? Any other projects you’re working on that we should check out?
Online, I go by Gordon Casper. I guess you could get a hold of me through pretty much any social network you like. Well, not on MySpace. Sorry about that.
My other most significant project is TwoHub, an online bookmark synchronizer.
Also, a little less popular: AssignmentSheet, designed for students to keep their homework assignments in order.
Why do you create web apps?
It’s my passion to create things that make your life easier.
