Reflecting on 2024, building momentum for 2025 and addressing Europe's challenges - Episode 10

In this milestone 10th episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian Piepenbrock and Wes Botman reflect on a transformative 2024 and lay the groundwork for an ambitious 2025. From navigating personal losses to reshaping business strategies, this conversation explores the lessons, challenges, and opportunities that defined the past year and what lies ahead. Highlights include: - The importance of resilience in business and life. - Reflections on the European tech ecosystem versus the U.S. landscape. - The shift towards human authenticity in the age of AI. - Why diversifying operations in the U.S. is a strategic move for 2025. This episode offers an honest look at the ups and downs of entrepreneurship while addressing the broader social and economic landscape. (0:00) Intro & Reflecting on 2024 (5:00) Life Changes and Personal Growth (12:00) Lessons from Losing Major Clients (18:00) Building Resilience Through Hardships (25:00) Leveraging Predictability in Business (32:00) Why U.S. Companies Value Noco’s Work (40:00) Tech Optimism in the U.S. vs. Degrowth in Europe (50:00) Addressing Regulatory Challenges in Europe (1:00:00) Looking Ahead to 2025 The WORK IN PROGRESS podcast hosted by Ian Piepenbrock and Wes Botman, two founders who are scaling and refining their businesses every day. Wes Botman is founder and CEO at ⁠⁠Eli5⁠⁠ (https://eli5.io), a software studio making complex ideas simple and accessible. Ian Piepenbrock is CEO at ⁠⁠Noco⁠⁠ (https://noco.agency), an agency dedicated to helping B2B SaaS and tech companies grow through strategic web design and branding. Watch/listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2cOqBRMjjgcXKSDDIboKrt?si=6990da66e09e4ef2 Follow us on X for more raw insights, thoughts, and a good dose of founder reality: Wes: ⁠⁠@wesbotman⁠⁠ (https://x.com/wesbotman) Ian: ⁠⁠@lamswolprins (https://x.com/lamswolprins)