SXSW 2009: Freshbooks, Joy from Tedium.
There are few passions I admire more than the desire to convert tedium into fun. And since there are few things I find duller than invoicing and billing, the ladies and gentlemen of Toronto-based FreshBooks are my new Everyday Heroes.
I met the company's "Chief Hanshaker" (on his business card) Sunir Shah in the bar of the Austin Hilton Hotel. He was having way too much fun for a guy who makes his cheddar on business payment software. But there he was, knocking back and cracking wise. Along with his Chief Cat Herder.
Since my own invoicing needs are minimal, I can't say if Fresh Books's offerings are any good. But judging by their Twitter stream they've got a few civic centers full of satisfied and rapidly-aided customers.
See for yourself. Beyond shop talk, it's beery, chucking-the-crap around gabbing, as if happy hour begins about 10 minutes after morning coffee.
I haven't yet been lucky enough to build a work situation, ground up, with a bunch of friends. And who knows, perhaps the FBers secretly loathe each other? If so, they're putting up a great front. Seems to this bear like a rager in "painless billing" land.
"We wanted something better. So we built it," says Freshbooks about its work. This may seem like the essence of the entrepreneurial spirit and thus confined to personalities who wish to lead their tribes to a brighter side of the hill. Or it could mean something broader, a sense that we shouldn't be resigned to hating a task of daily existence just because it isn't obviously exciting. It could be an attempt to make life better, one invoice, handshake and herded cat at a time.
And for that I say, bravo.
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8 Replies to “SXSW 2009: Freshbooks, Joy from Tedium.”
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Depending on who you talk to in the company, happy hour is sometimes morning coffee 🙂 Or noon coffee… or afternoon coffee…
Depending on who you talk to in the company, happy hour is sometimes morning coffee 🙂 Or noon coffee… or afternoon coffee…
Aw shucks! It was nice meeting you too.
Aw shucks! It was nice meeting you too.
I loathe both of those guys who commented above me ; )
I remember this night, Kevin! I was at the same bar, but must’ve been caught up staring at Pete Cashmore sitting at the table next to me. Heh.
Thanks for the “bravo”!
Rayanne Langdon, FreshBooks.com
I loathe both of those guys who commented above me ; )
I remember this night, Kevin! I was at the same bar, but must’ve been caught up staring at Pete Cashmore sitting at the table next to me. Heh.
Thanks for the “bravo”!
Rayanne Langdon, FreshBooks.com
Sure thing, all. It was my pleasure.
I feel like I should know who Pete Cashmore is?
Sure thing, all. It was my pleasure.
I feel like I should know who Pete Cashmore is?