Task tracking that adds another task to the workday defeats the purpose of using software to keep projects moving in the right direction. Rescoper simplifies task management so that entrepreneurs can keep on schedule more effortlessly. Clear views of essential tasks that need to be done first, progress analysis, and automated scheduling stomp on the head of productivity’s nemesis: scope creep.
Founder of rescoper, Robert Clark, tells us more about his mission to eliminate unnecessary work:
What’s your company about? What do you do? Who are your customers?
Automatic daily schedule, efficient task tracking, complex project analysis – with a simple, easy-to-use workspace. I started development in December of 2013 with the goal of setting out to eliminate scope creep and tedious daily work tasks relating to my own projects. After meeting with various project managers in my area, I targeted exactly which features would most help rescoper’s users with project/task management, and got to work.
Once rescoper was in a usable state, I even used rescoper to develop rescoper itself (yes, a rescoper-ception)! I completed 62% of the initial launch of rescoper by the projected goal date thanks to the various features I developed. Our customers range worldwide, for the free plan, with local (Dayton/Cincinnati, OH) customers paid, so far.
What’s the greatest thing about your company/website? Why is it better than the competition?
Traditional task management services will track your tasks, but fail to automate the critical work for the user. This leads to scope creep, or adding unnecessary work that will cause deadlines to be missed. Rescoper takes the tedious work out of your schedule with task management that helps plan your project for you automatically.
How’d you come up with the name for your company?
Take the word “scope” or estimate or completion time. We wanted to “rethink” task management and how your projects are completed. The project rethinks the scope of your projects, hence, “rescoper.”
What was your first computer? How old were you when you first got on the world wide web?
I was 7 years old, and my grandmother passed her old HP computer on to me. You’re reading this right. I started programming at 7 years old.
What time do you usually start work each day? How many hours a day do you usually work?
I start my work at 6am with a full-time software engineering position, then work on rescoper after work until 11 pm or midnight. I work anywhere from 12-16 hours per day total.
When’s the last time you went on vacation and where did you go?
I went back to my hometown in the US Virgin Islands, on St. John, in June. It was great to finally be back… and hopefully I’ll get the opportunity to purchase a house there sometime.
What’s the very first thing you do at work every day?
To be honest, I check my own site (rescoper) for my daily schedule, and get to work.
When do your best ideas come to you? In bed in the morning? During dinner? On your third beer?
My best ideas come to me at any and all times. My brain is always running. I’ve even dreamed ideas, but it seems that most pop up during my daily software engineering job.
How many people did you start the company with and how many people work for you now?
Started with just one and continued that way for about 9 months, until about a month ago, when I hired an intern.
A lot of people have big ideas. What gave you the confidence to actually go after yours?
I did a lot of market research and pre-selling on the idea for market confirmation. With all my previous experience in business, sales, and programming, I was confident it would begin to catch on.
Remember the early days of starting up? Describe the struggles you went through.
I couldn’t stop thinking of more ideas. I wanted to implement them all, but had to limit myself to reasonable time and user experience / design.
How do you handle frustration? What has been your biggest professional frustration?
I never let frustration get me down; rather, I use it as motivation to better myself and my company.
What’s your office environment like? Do you listen to music? Watch movies? Play video games?
Often times I like listening to music, but sometimes I’m a lot more productive working in silence. Working at home is great, and a lot of productive work gets done, but it’s good to get out and work remote, too. I find myself most productive when I’m on my lunch break from work and give myself one hour to complete a big idea, everyday.
How do you picture your company in 5 years?
Rescoper will gain ground over the next 1-2 years, with a lot of focus on small companies, then migrate to larger corporations as they begin to embrace this new (market proven) task management approach that has been described as “the task management website we’ve been hoping for, for years” by a larger corporation.
Who or what inspires YOU? Role models? Quotes? Running? Video games? Snack food?
“Life is like a 15-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use.” “When’s the best time to plant a tree? 20 years ago. When’s the next best time to plant a tree? Now.”
How’d you fund this venture? VC? Self-funding? Crowdfunded? Where’d you get the money, man?
I self-funded the launch of rescoper with my full-time position, which was soon profitable with just a few sales.
What other advice do you have for other entrepreneurs struggling to get started?
Stay ambitious and optimistic in everything you do. Listen to everyone’s advice (with a grain of salt) and give the customers what they want.
What would you do if you had a year off and $500,000 to spend (on something other than work)?
I would travel the world with my (drop dead gorgeous) girlfriend and show her all the places I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to, and experience many more.
Do you consider yourself a successful entrepreneur? If not, what’ll make you feel successful?
I do consider myself a successful entrepreneur; however, there’s always room for improvement! I wake up every day and ask myself what the biggest thing I can do is, and will not go to bed until it is done and I’m satisfied with my work.
Top websites you couldn’t live without and why?
- youtube.com – lots of great inspirational videos (and funny cat videos, of course, hehe)
- thefoundation.com – love these podcasts for startup advice
- lifehack.com – always learning great productivity tips
Those are my top-used websites, besides rescoper, of course. I use rescoper constantly throughout the day to manage my time.
What is your music streaming player of choice, and what are you listening to right now?
Spotify – listening to “Cheerleader” by Omi… reminds me of the islands.
Number 1 country you’ve always wanted to visit but haven’t yet? (And why that country?)
I’d love to visit Italy and admire the architecture… in addition to the great super car manufacturers – I’m a big petrol head!
Three people (other than you) we should follow on Twitter and why?
To be honest, I’m not much of a twitter user personally.
Please share some specific numbers (funding, revenue, visitors) that highlight your growth.
Free users to-date: 76. Paid companies to-date: 5. Funding: $0, self-sustainable and profitable. Revenue: $260 per month currently.
Where can our readers find your company online?
