Wilco de Kreij has been living the entrepreneurial life since the tender age of 16, when he started selling sunglasses online. Now, nine years later, Wilco just recently released a new product, WordPress for Facebook 2.0 (WP4FB 2.0), a new and improved version of his previous project named (aptly) WP4FB.
In its first iteration, WP4FB was one of the first apps that allowed users to create custom Facebook fan page tabs. Version 2.0 takes all of the popular aspects of the original and ups the ante with a whole host of new features developed directly from user feedback: templates, embedded videos and pics, easy short codes for the tech-slow among us, and viral tools, to name just a few.
Basically, they want to make it as easy as possible for you to create original, interesting, interactive fan pages and therefore boost your business. Wilco is excited about his product and he took a little time tell us about his process and what living the startup life looks like for him.
How’d you come up with the name for your company?
It’s a WordPress plugin to create custom Facebook Tabs. The name WP4FB (“WordPress for Facebook“) is therefore pretty straightforward. We added “2.0” when we recently launched a completely new product under the same name.
How did the initial launch of WP4FB 2.0 go?
WP4FB 2.0 was released on the 21st of August – and so far we couldn’t be happier with the results! We’re getting a ton of messages from our clients that love the product – and that’s something I really love! It means that we’re not just creating a piece of software, but that we’re actually adding value to our customers’ lives and businesses. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?
What’s the very first thing you do at work everyday?
Check mail, Twitter and stats. Not necessarily in that order.
How many people did you start the company with and how many people work for you now?
Started the company by myself – but I currently have two full-time developers who are helping me speed things up. For other tasks (such as design) I have close contacts with various contractors.
How do you handle frustration? When/how was the last time you dealt with frustration?
I have to admit I’m not that easily frustrated. But when I do – I often read a book for about 15 minutes. Trust me, it works!
What’s your office environment like? Is it the kind of place where everyone is bumpin’ away to house music or is it more traditional?
At this very moment I’m working from my home office. I used to work in a shared office space, but often there weren’t many people around. That simply doesn’t work for me, I need some people to be around to have a chat with.
How do you picture your company in 5 years?
Good question! It may sound stupid, but I try not to plan that far ahead. I’ve learned that everything can change in only 1-2 years time – especially online – so what happens in 5 years from now… Who knows! As long as I’m still loving what I do – and the business keeps growing – I’m not complaining.
Who or what inspires YOU? Role models? Quotes? Running? Video games? Snack food? Give us the deets, dude!
A lot of my inspiration and motivation comes from fellow entrepreneurs. Not so much the familiar ones that everybody knows, but the ones that I actually meet for a coffee or something. When you hear real life stories of like-minded people that are getting insane results, man.. That’s so inspiring!
If I had to pick a quote though, I’d pick one of these two: “Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won’t, so that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can’t” or “Work hard, play hard.”
How’d you fund this venture? VC? Self-funding? Crowd-funded? Where’d you get the money, man?
Everything is self-funded. I started as an entrepreneur at age 16 (I’m currently 25) so once that started rolling, liquidity never really was a problem. I only invested what came in.
Got any great bootstrapping tips for the lean startups out there?
DO. DO. DO. Don’t think to much, just go for it and change course as you go along. Oh, and make sure you’re actually solving a problem.
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)
“Burning” $500,000 in just one year is not really my way of doing business, but let’s assume that I have to. I might just focus on the Netherlands (my home country) instead of international projects. There are quite a few successful international projects that haven’t been rolled out to the Netherlands, so I might just “imitate” these here. Not the most creative startups, but hey.. Look at what Rocket Internet is doing!
Do you consider yourself a successful entrepreneur right now? If not, what’s it gonna take to make you feel successful?
I think I’ve been quite successful, but honestly it doesn’t feel that way. I’m always trying to make myself better, and therefore I’m also comparing myself with others that are doing even better than I am. As long as I can’t compare my results with them, I’m not “there yet.” But when I do, I probably start comparing myself with other, more successful entrepreneurs…
Website you couldn’t live without and why?
Google. I mean, search, analytics, Gmail, their traffic. Can’t live with them, can’t live without them.
Mobile App you’re in love with and why?
Currently it’s a simple app called FlickBank, but that’s only to check my ClickBank stats. Overall, I reckon it would be Evernote. Great to keep your notes together, even when you’re on the road!
Dogs or cats?
Dogs.
iOS or Android?
iOS.
Number 1 country you’ve always wanted to visit but haven’t yet?
I’ve seen quite a bit already, so let’s pick one that I haven’t. Brazil!
What’s the greatest thing about your company/website/idea?
It’s the only system with these kind of (viral) features that doesn’t charge any monthly fees!
Where can our readers get ahold of you?
The Facebook fan page for WP4FB 2.0 is here. Here are also some ways to get an hold of me personally:
