Dave:
Hey everyone, Dave here with another episode of the Philly TechConnect podcast. Today we’re speaking with Bill Evans. Suddenly laid off, Bill chose to push through the market collapse and create a stable and ever-growing software consulting company, Liberty Fox Technologies.
Bill thrives on the trials and tribulations presented by developing custom software for his clients and looks forward to any requests that challenge his team’s abilities and potential. He enjoys a number of hobbies, from being a muscle car enthusiast to a pilot. Bill, how are you doing today?
Bill:
I’m doing great. Thank you so much, Dave. Appreciate you bringing me in here.
Dave:
No, it’s my pleasure. We were introduced to each other through a mutual acquaintance, Jay, who’s a member of the Philly Tech Entrepreneurs’ community, and I loved your story. I hate to dwell on the negative, but it’s always an interesting inflection point to hear about the story of you getting laid off.
I was wondering if you could take us back to the time when you got laid off and talk a bit about what you were feeling and the different decisions that were weighing on your mind at the time.
Bill:
Yeah, I’m happy to. Honestly, for me, it’s not a negative conversation because it resulted in a company that’s almost 15 years old now. Back in 2010, I had been working for a startup, initially as a consultant and later as their solutions architect.
We were building a cool product over about three or four years, but eventually, they ran out of funding and couldn’t raise additional capital. We tried to push the company forward, but one day the boss came in and was like, “That’s it, folks. Sorry.” A little more elegantly than that. For the first time in my life, I found myself without a job. I wasn’t super concerned, though, so I filed for unemployment. Initially, I thought, “Cool, I’ll take a breather,” since I’d had a job since I was 14.
But after about two or three weeks, I’d had enough Judge Judy, my fridge was clean, and I was done with going to the bar at noon. I actually logged into my old email account from the company, which no longer existed, and found customers reaching out to me. They knew the company had gone under and wanted my help transitioning to something else.
One of those customers is still a client today. We even own a plane together. He was one of my first clients and is now a personal friend. So I took the plunge and started Liberty Fox, helping people move off that defunct product. And from there, it was referral after referral, leading to where we are today.
Dave:
Very cool. Yeah, it’s nice that despite the company going under, you could then service those customers and gradually start a business.
Businesses take time to grow. I’m sure you know that, 15 years in. Was there ever a time during the early days of LFT when you thought, “Maybe starting my own business wasn’t a good idea”? Or was it smooth sailing?
Bill:
I think we all have moments where we stop, reflect, and think things through. Personally, even with challenges, I was excited to “drink the Kool-Aid” of being an entrepreneur and push forward. For the first couple of years, I was a solopreneur, running the company by myself from 2010 to 2012.
In early 2013, I got opportunities to take on more than one project at a time. I thought, “Either I hire someone and grow, or I work 80 hours a week and double my income for six months.” That was my experiment. I ended up hiring, which was a big step. But then it hit me—people’s lives, salaries, and everything depend on you.
At one point, about two years in, a client representing over 50% of my revenue had to suspend a project, which affected my ability to keep two of my four employees working. So that was a tough moment. But I got through it and have faced even bigger challenges since.
Dave:
Do you feel that entrepreneurship was always on your radar, or was it something you never really considered until you had to?
Bill:
Good question. I don’t think anyone’s ever asked me quite like that. Maybe it was in the back of my mind, but I wasn’t actively chasing it. At the startup, we had a lot of freedom, and I grew into my role fast, probably faster than I would have anywhere else.
Going elsewhere might have meant taking a step back, and I enjoyed being a leader. So, I think my desire to continue leading, which I do think I’m good at, nudged me toward entrepreneurship.
Dave:
You’re in tech, developing custom software. This field changes daily, especially with trends like AI and machine learning. What trends have you noticed, and how does your company stay current?
Bill:
That’s a great question. We pride ourselves on being a consultancy rather than just a dev shop. I aim to bring my clients the latest in industry knowledge. For instance, I attend four conferences a year. I just got back from a large healthcare conference in Las Vegas.
In healthcare, and across industries, AI and generative AI are big. But knowing where AI is bad is as important as knowing where it’s good. Getting close to the trends keeps us informed and ready to guide clients.
Dave:
You mentioned a client you’ve had since the beginning, with whom you own a plane. How have you managed to build long-lasting relationships with clients?
Bill:
I always say, “We’re not your vendor, we’re your partner.” I care about my clients’ long-term goals. Internally, I tell my team that if they don’t know what success means to the client, they shouldn’t work on it.
It’s not just about completing the project on time and budget. It’s about making an impact that aligns with the client’s goals. This mentality has built friendships that transcend business.
Dave:
LFT is a consultancy rather than a typical dev shop. How do you define the scope of your services and set boundaries?
Bill:
Sure. We do software development but don’t label ourselves as a dev shop. A dev shop might say, “What’s your project? Let me build it.” We ask, “What’s your problem? Let me solve it.”
We focus on process and technology rather than people and processes, helping clients eliminate unnecessary workflow steps by solving their tech problems.
Dave:
Love the focus on efficiency. Anything upcoming for Liberty Fox Technologies? How can people get in touch if they want to learn more?
Bill:
Yes, actually. Next year marks our 15th year, and we’re excited about our annual charity fundraiser. Also, we’re continuing to focus on healthcare consulting. Anyone interested can visit libertyfoxtech.com. And I’m available at Bill@LibertyFoxTech.com.
Dave:
Thanks so much for being on the show, Bill.
Bill:
Thank you, Dave. I had a great time chatting.