Hans Skillrud on Termageddon, Entrepreneurship, and Midwest Roots

Send us Fan MailAn unexpected conversation with a mid-western entrepreneur who is married to his work. The interview starts with Bud welcoming Hans to the show, asking him about his location, and their mutual interest in Chicago sports. Hans shares that he lives in the suburbs of Chicago and prefers outdoor activities like fishing and camping post-COVID-19. They discuss his previous residence near Wrigley Field and his experiences attending games there. Hans also reminisces about his time living a block away from the stadium.Hans reveals his invention of a drinking device during his early twenties, which led him to a job at Groupon. Experimenting with various business ventures, Hans eventually found himself running a successful web design agency. Hans reflects on Groupon’s shift in business models and his subsequent detachment from their strategy, which motivated him to start his own web design agency.The discussion shifts to Hans’ academic background and his time studying at Miami University in Ohio. He talks about his initial interest in chemistry and his eventual shift to entrepreneurship after taking a class in the subject. Hans explains how he balanced his chemistry major with finance and a minor in philosophy, showcasing his diverse educational background and passion for entrepreneurship.Bud dives into Hans’ current business, Termageddon, which he co-founded with his wife, Donata, a privacy attorney. They describe Termageddon as a solution that provides auto-updating website policies to help businesses comply with privacy laws. Hans praises Donata’s extensive expertise and accomplishments in privacy law, emphasizing the unique value proposition and business model of their company.Hans shares personal insights about his life outside work, including his love for outdoor activities and travels with Donata. They often visit Lithuania, Donata’s homeland. They also discuss attending WordCamp events around the world. The conversation ends with Bud asking Hans to recommend a future guest for the show, to which Hans suggests Andrew Palmer from the UK, citing his compelling life story and unique perspective on life.