He Built a Data Tool for Cafés That Can't Compete With Starbucks. From Scratch, Solo

Small businesses say they want to support local.But local keeps closing.In this episode of Tech It or Leave It, we sit down with Firdaus Izam, solopreneur and founder of CHUPJER — a tool built to give F&B owners the same data, systems, and decision-making clarity that big chains run on. Without the corporate budget. Without the tech team.Because passion doesn't pay the rent. And gut feel doesn't scale.Here's what you'll learn in this episode:✅ How Firdaus went from running a digital studio to building his own product, solo ✅ The real reason small F&B businesses keep losing to the big chains (it's not the coffee) ✅ How to introduce tech to business owners who think they don't need it and change their mind✅ What trade-offs actually matter when you're building an MVP with limited time and resources ✅ The minimum data a small business needs to start making smarter decisions todayIf you're a non-technical founder trying to build something real, this one's for you.Follow Firdaus:https://www.threads.com/@firdausizam89https://www.linkedin.com/in/firdausizam/More about CHUPJER:https://chupjer.com/Support the show🎙️ More from Adrian & Upstack StudioWebsite: https://upstackstudio.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianchinghcYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@adrianchinghcInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/adrianchinghc