Next Level Pros
#130: How Jotform Founder & CEO Aytekin Tank Got Great at Solving One Problem
18 Nov 2024
Welcome to a New Episode of Next Level Pros! In today's episode, we're thrilled to have Aytekin Tank, the mastermind behind the transformative software JotForm, which has dramatically altered the landscape of online forms. Aytekin will share his entrepreneurial journey, focusing on the pivotal role of sustained focus and compounded growth in achieving business success. He discusses the evolution of JotForm, from its inception as a simple form builder to a comprehensive suite catering to varied business needs, emphasizing automation and customer-centric development. Stay tuned as Aytekin shares the principles that kept him on track amidst the allure of new opportunities, providing invaluable insights for entrepreneurs at all stages. Apply to be on the show: https://forms.gle/hwDijQPFyKCEtHNs8 Highlights: "We hit oil by digging one hole 1000 feet deep, not 1000 holes one foot deep." "Giving something away for free is the biggest marketing tool you can have." "Automate your busy work to focus on what's truly important." "Persistence is key; you need to learn to pivot and persevere through challenges." Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Aytekin Tank and the genesis of JotForm. 02:52 - Aytekin joins the show; background and initial motivations. 07:13 - The leap from employment to entrepreneurship. 10:34 - Learning from side projects and the transition to full-time on JotForm. 16:41 - The evolution from free to paid subscriptions and early challenges. 23:15 - Expanding JotForm's functionality beyond basic forms. 28:17 - Introduction of enterprise solutions and learning the ropes of sales. 32:20 - Growth and scaling challenges faced over 19 years. 35:16 - The critical importance of focus and saying no to distractions. 41:28 - Where to find Aytekin Tank and closing remarks. Want me to teach you how to grow your business? Text me! 509-374-7554 Want access to more of my content? Click the link below for all of our latest updates and events! https://linktr.ee/nextlevelpros Want to be a guest on our show? Apply here!https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YlkVBSluEKMTg4gehyUOHYvBratcxHV5rt3kiWTXNC4/viewform?edit_requested=true Watch my latest Podcast Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-level-pros/id1687030281 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=95980cd4e55a437a YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@NextLevelPros
Full Episode
So you started out as a developer for internet.com. What ultimately led to you saying, you know what, I want to go and do something on my own. Like what, what finally like clicked or made sense for you at that time?
like I kind of hated it because it wasn't very challenging. Like just, you know, typing HTML to create forms or just handle them backend to send emails, things like that. So I wanted to find a product that can actually do that. And I searched for it. There were some products, but they were well done.
So at that time, it clicked on my mind that if I ever start my business, this is the product I could build. With that knowledge, I quit my job, I forged it, and I built JotForm.
What's up, Founder Nation? Super excited to bring you this episode with Mr. Itek and Tonk. This guy has built a 600-man empire competing with Google Forms and all kinds of different crazy stuff. The best part about this episode is the focus that this guy has had the last 19 years, not getting distracted. all the shiny objects. You know what I'm talking about if you're an entrepreneur.
There's all kinds of opportunities out there. We want to say yes. One of the best phrases I've ever heard is you can do anything, but you can't do everything. We hit oil by digging one hole a thousand feet deep, not a thousand holes one foot deep. So let's dive into this episode as we talk about focus and compounded growth. Let's go. Yo, yo, yo, welcome to another episode of the Founder Podcast.
Today, I am joined by Mr. Aytekin Tank. Aytekin is tuning in from Turkey, halfway across the world. Super excited to have you. Aytekin's got a phenomenal story. This is a story that you're not gonna wanna miss. We're talking about somebody that has dedicated his life to his craft, that slow growth, consistent, compounding growth,
that really a lot of us entrepreneurs miss out on because we get distracted by the shiny objects. We've got all these other different type of things. And iTechin is proven that if you can just find something that works and continue to dig the hole over and over and over again, eventually you're going to hit oil. He has grown his business since 2005 to now 19 years later to over 600 employees.
He's got an incredible software, JotForm, that is utilized throughout the world, doing millions of dollars in revenue. He is a New York Times bestseller, Automating Your Busy Work. He is just well-published, just a well-established entrepreneur. He's super excited to have you on the show, Mr. iTech, and welcome to the show.
Hello, Chris. Great to be on your show. Thank you for that great introduction.
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