Don't give up, it's never as bad as it looks at first glance - Interview with Obi Hen Kenobi of NameRobot

Hello ! Who are you and what are you working on?

I am Henning, most people call me Hen. In my heart I am software developer and maker. With a friend I have built up a software development company which already existed for 10 years.

My main work in this Company is QUIQQER. All services and ideas which we realise are based on this system. QUIQQER is a web management system which provides everything for a SaaS. The goal of QUIQQER is to be able to create SaaS within two weeks. QUIQQER is supposed to do all the work around your service for you, so you have to concentrate fully on your service. From social logins, ordering process, billing system, memberships, a subscription system and permissions handling, QUIQQER has everything you need for a successful SaaS.

This year we come to the point where the complete ERP stack is finally finished. Two e-commerce shops based on QUIQQER go online early next month. :-)

What motivated you to get started with? How did you come up with the idea?

I've rarely lacked in motivation, even in my early years I helped other people and I rarely have a lack of ideas. I see many problems which I can solve. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to solve everything.

Can you tell us the story of your business from idea to where you are now?

These are rather two stories, once QUIQQER and then NameRobot.

I'll tell you a little bit about NameRobot, because we published the toolbox two months ago.

Mark, one founder of us four, contacted me and presented his idea. Since he is a name finder for different movies and products, he wanted to have a software which takes this work out of his hands.

The goal of NameRobot is to provide everything you need for a name for your product or company. From the trademark check, domaincheck up to the creation of the name itself. After some years, this Idea became a real company. In recent years we have developed a naming KI (Namefruits), more than 100 naming tools (NameRobot Toolbox) and dozens of naming services (Namescore, Flying Names or NameRobot Fun).

This year we reach the goal we set ourselves in 2010. With the Toolbox,, more than 100 naming tools will be usable in a single software. This will complete NameRobot's portfolio.

What has been your biggest failure or struggle?

The biggest problems are caused by the German laws. Germany is a very difficult country for companies and start-ups. Your time is wasted by a lot of offices (tax office, employment office).

And what has been your biggest achievement or success?

Quite clearly, QUIQQER. Last year we implemented NameScore with 3 men in two weeks. Without QUIQQER this would not have been possible.

Why one should use QUIQQER ?

If you want to build a SaaS or e-commerce shop, QUIQQER solves a lot of problems for you.

For developers, package managers such as Composer, NPM or Bower are directly integrated. This means that a developer can access more than 1 million packages.

In addition to common problems of registration processes with e-mail, social logins or forgotten password function, QUIQQER also comes with a lot of extensions. A complete invoicing and ordering system that also works for the European market, with its dozens of tax systems.

At the end of this year we want to start to bring the documentation up to date so that you can also implement SaaS or e-commerce shops within days.

Do you think your mindset has anything to do with your success?

I'm even sure of it. Success always has to do with the mindset. Negative thoughts keep you from reaching your goal.

Since launch, what has worked to attract and retain customers?

I am still working on this problem and try to find out what really works. I think I'll do that all my life, too, figuring out what really works.

Which works pretty well, though, is direct contact and networking with other people.

Describe the process of launching the business.

build, headaches, improve, fix, launch

Did you use Betalist or PH or other Startup Launching Platform for Launching ? How was that experience ?

Yes, both of them. It was incredible and this experience was very interesting. At our first start (meanwhile 3) on PH we became product of the day and got a lot of criticism. But this criticism has brought us a lot forward. In the beginning it was hard to deal with so many opinions but I think we have grown a lot. Especially for me it was an experience I don't want to miss.

What’s your business model, and how have you grown your revenue?

Currently we offer a mix of freemium and monthly fees. This varies from service to service. We often make price tests and constantly adjust them separately for each service.

What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced and obstacles you’ve overcome? What are your goals for the future?

Get things done! The last 10% is so hard to implement. It costs 90% of your energy to finish the last 10%. Therefore, my goal for the future is to get QUIQQER ready because we are in the last 10%.

How are you doing today and what does the future look like?

It's saturday, it's quiet, I feel great. ;)

Above all, I look forward to the coming months and years. I will finish all my services this year and new things can be implemented. Next month, my company partner and I would like to use one day a week where the whole team work at one idea and ship it.

Through starting the business, have you learned anything particularly helpful or advantageous?

keep up. no matter what happens.

What platform/tools do you use for your business?

QUIQQER

Who’s your most inspirational CEO or founder?

Simon Sinek. he's not a CEO, but he helps CEOs. I'll be honest with you, more people deserve that title "most inspirational CEO". The list is endless, there are really great people out there.

What have been the most influential books, podcasts, or other resources?

Podcast: Justin Jackson' SaaS Stuff; Books: Enders Game, Biography of Steve Jobs, Rich Dad Poor Dad and a lot more; Resources: Makerlog, Stackoverflow, ProductHunt, Github and a lot more.

What’s your advice for fellow aspiring entrepreneur who are just starting out?

Don't give up, it's never as bad as it looks at first glance. When the shit hits the fan take a step back. The world is still spinning tomorrow, the internet is also there and if you haven't already, look for a hobby! Do sport, do music, do something different.