What building a Mobile Application Software company taught me.

Someone said to me once, “Lightbob, you know a lot of things and you are the best at Lighting. Leave Software developing to us, you just don’t understand.” That was enough for me. From that moment on, I had to do it. I had to learn and see for myself and get to the bottom of it. And this is the moment when my wife said, ”here we go!”… and again she was right (I’m so in LOVE after 10 years and a beautiful 2-year-old son).

I not only started learning to program, I learned everything about Mobile Applications - from the simple Smartphone APPs, to the Automotive APPs with Ford. There is a vast array of applications that can be done for smart phones, TV, IoT, Lighting, Transport, Geolocation, etc. and there is a market for all of them.

As a passionate being, I published over 90 Apps in 3 months. I also taught others how to make Apps. I worked with several companies developing APIs (Application Program Interface), developing User Interface and interactive development.

Then came the time to jump to a bigger game and this is when I started building my dream team, from my CTO to my CFO. I had a real blast including developing a training program and a unique avant-garde payroll system. Financing and meeting with venture capitalists was a real eye opener and the best experience ever. Never have I been exposed to the truth about business like that – it was priceless.

Two years later I came back to my real life in the world of lighting and I have brand new eyes. I see opportunities that I have never seen before and I have a clear view of the future of Lighting. I understand the crucial impact of software technologies in Lighting, and I also realize how I love the beautiful world of Lighting.

What have I learned from this odyssey?

1-    You need discipline like there is no tomorrow. The number of hours you will be in a date with your computer monitors (and no - one is not enough) is everything.  Even if you don’t want to stop, you have to, you need at some point to eat, sleep, shop, and at my age, try to have a family life in between.

2-    Anybody can do it, but not everybody can succeed. You need a team. In Steve Jobs’ 10 Rules for Success add: “BUILD A GREAT TEAM”. I have the best team in the world. It took me the past decade to discover them. I have all my trust in my team and like a family, you will go through challenges and bumps, but if you persist you will see the light at the end of the tunnel.

3-    The software world is a never-ending market of opportunity. You will never run out of jobs to do, especially in the world of Mobile Applications with a forecast of 2 billion by 2020, you will never run out of opportunities and in the APP world, anything goes.

4-    The Software community is the Best!  They have the coolest parties, the most amazing toys, all the Beta versions of everything.  Most of all, the people are very generous.  There is always someone, somewhere to help. I have met some of the most incredible people working with teams of engineers from Apple, Microsoft, Google, Facebook and AT&T - just to cite a few. At first, it is very intimidating, but very quickly they make you feel welcome and jump into the problem until the magic happens and your problem is solved. No consideration, no judgment, pure energy and then you party.

5-    Coming from the lighting design world, I thought I would not make it. But funny enough after a while, I realized that the basic concept can be adapted easily and that I could go back and become better at applying my methodology to enhance my customer experience now! Plus, I have developed an amazing network of additional talents that I can jump in when it's needed.

6-    My experience with Financing was by far the best! Meeting VCs (Venture Capitalists), doing pitches, remodeling my pitch 5 minutes before because the previous presenter said almost the same thing as me. It was a ride, VCs are passionate too and not just about money. They really look at the man behind the project, the “Brain” and mostly how much passion you can transmit. Of course, this was not my first rodeo and my expectations were not the same.  If I can give you any advice, if you as an entrepreneur don’t feel (and I say FEEL and have real compassion) then VCs don’t get in. Because later you may be in a position you may not like, and it is a bit late to say, “Gee I didn’t feel it at the beginning, I should have listened to myself”. There are plenty of ways to achieve success and plenty of VCs around the world - don’t worry.

7-    At last, follow your dream, your passion and as Tony Robbin says, “the past does not equal the future.” No matter if you had a ton of failures or never did anything because you were not sure it was the right thing - it’s okay, but NOW is the time! We are in a time where everything is possible, opportunities are endless and the world is ready for your ideas. GO FOR IT!

As I’m writing this article, I went back to my Passion: Lighting Design. And I’m bringing my new experience with me. I see a very bright future for me and my team and looking forward to reveal more to you in the near future.

Robert Lanteigne aka Lightbob.com