Ep 371 - The Hustle Behind Smile API
EPISODE INTRODUCTION
This week on Hustleshare, host Ron Baetiong sits down with Smile API co-founder Jan Pabellon to uncover how he bounced back from a failed first startup, taught himself tech, built his own dev shop, and discovered the massive credit data gap holding millions of Filipinos back. Jan also reveals what pushed him to become a founder again and how Smile API is now taking on one of the biggest challenges in Philippine financial inclusion.
Ep Timeline:
00:00:34 - Opening: The Core Problem Smile API Solves
00:02:03 - Recent Activities: IdeaSpace Cohort 10 and Impact ‘23 Accelerator
00:04:28 - Educational Background: BA in Accounting at UP
00:07:22 - Pre-Web Internet: Telnet, Newsgroups, and Flame Wars
00:11:38 - Philippine Internet Conference: First Competition Success
00:17:51 - Seven Founders to Three: The Reality of Partnership Challenges
00:21:42 - AIM Masters of Entrepreneurship: Realizing Services Don't Scale
00:25:30 - Whack-a-Mole Analogy: Scaling Business Problems
00:28:52 - The Value of Failed Founders: Equipped for Success
00:31:47 - NetSuite Explained: Cloud-Based ERP for Enterprise
00:34:42 - Entrepreneurs Bring Work to Bed: Payroll and Problems
00:37:30 - Jupiter Co-working Space: Sweet Ecstasy and Hard Parking
00:39:55 - Red Ocean vs Blue Ocean: Need for 10x Better Solution
00:42:11 - Bank Account Gap: Filipinos Lack Basic Financial Access
00:46:04 - The Solution: Digital, Automatic Data Collection via API
00:48:54 - Founder Backgrounds: Tech, Consulting, International Experience
00:52:08 - First Customers: Early Adapters Willing to Pay and Give Feedback
00:58:41 - Don't Regret the Journey: Every Struggle Has Value
00:59:40 - What's Next: Expansion Plans and Fintech Partnerships
“My self-identity is tied up with my business… which shouldn’t be, right? Ultimately… you work to make a life, not the other way around.”
CONNECT WITH JAN PABELLON:
Website: https://www.getsmileapi.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpabellon/
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