Santiago, an Industrial Engineer by training and an entrepreneur by calling, specializes in bootstrapping and no-code development through Bubble.io. He’s cofounded Vintti.com and scored three SaaS micro-exits, blending business acumen with technological savvy. But his Sundays? Those are reserved for family.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Every morning, I spend about 15 minutes putting together my checklist on Notion. This isn’t just any list—it’s a targeted plan for the day that covers everything from candidate screening protocols to tracking down outstanding invoices. It’s my personal roadmap in a constantly shifting landscape.
We also maintain a daily rhythm with a team meeting. This isn’t just a ‘status update’ kind of gathering; it’s where we sync on our shared “working on today” lists, which are open for everyone to see. It’s incredibly effective because it forces a level of accountability and alignment across the board. You’re not just committing to tasks, you’re committing in front of your team. That brings an extra layer of motivation to knock out those tasks.
We’re not just doing operational work here; we’re also constantly innovating. Whether it’s tweaking our internal candidate-matching algorithms or improving the landing page to convert more visitors, it’s a mixed bag and I love it. That’s what keeps it exciting! So yeah, no two days are the same, but that’s what makes this journey so interesting and fulfilling.
How do you bring ideas to life?
In my day-to-day, I’m always on the lookout for new ideas. Being involved in the tech industry gives me a lot of inspiration. When I think of something but hit a roadblock, I often use AI as a brainstorming tool. It’s not always perfect, but it gives me a new angle to consider. From there, I’ll modify and improve the idea until it’s ready to go. I usually target niche markets, but I make sure there’s a big enough audience to allow for growth.
What’s one trend that excites you?
What really excites me right now is the rise of indie hacking, bootstrapping, and the remote work culture. We’re seeing more solopreneurs than ever, as well as businesses generating substantial revenue with just a small team. The advent of no-code platforms has lowered the barriers to entry even further, allowing almost anyone to launch a venture. In addition, the internet has made it possible to create profitable businesses that you can run from anywhere. This is particularly exciting given that there are many places where you could live for less than $500 a month, making it totally feasible to sustain yourself through a side hustle. It’s an amazing time for individual talent and small teams to shine, leveraging remote work to collaborate from anywhere.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
While many people turn to productivity apps or screen blockers, my approach is much simpler. I use a to-do list in Notion or even just sticky notes to outline what I want to accomplish for the day or week. It’s basic, but it’s effective. This habit forces me to focus on my goals and systematically check them off. It’s the best productivity hack I’ve found for myself.
What advice would you give your younger self?
While I still view myself as being in the younger bracket and a lifelong learner, the advice that stands out for my current self is the importance of taking risks. This doesn’t mean jumping into ventures blindfolded, but it does mean stepping out of comfort zones to grab the opportunities that arise. Risks are the gateways to growth—they introduce you to new people, different ways of thinking, and sometimes even unexpected career paths. The importance of risk-taking is something I keep reminding myself of, regardless of my age, as it offers a wealth of experiences that no theoretical learning could possibly provide.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
I’m a strong advocate for the idea that you don’t need a massive amount of money to kick-start a successful business. While this opinion often runs counter to mainstream thinking, I believe it’s entirely feasible in today’s landscape. Thanks to the digital age, starting and scaling a business has never been more accessible. With platforms that offer no-code solutions, a lean team, and a solid go-to-market strategy, you can create something substantial without a large investment. It’s all about leveraging the available resources creatively and strategically.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
The phrase “Do what I say, not what I do” may seem like a contradiction, but it holds weight in my life. While I am often deeply committed to my professional endeavors, I believe everyone should strive for a balanced life. Physical activities, such as playing sports or going for walks, are not only good for the body but also for the mind. Beyond physical wellness, spending quality time with family, friends, and loved ones is the cornerstone of a fulfilling life. Those are the things that will matter in the long run, not the extra hour you put into work at the cost of missing out on life’s simple yet significant joys.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
The state of feeling overwhelmed is often a signal that I need to reset, recalibrate, and reassess. For me, the quickest way to do this is by taking a walk. It sounds simple, but there’s something inherently therapeutic about moving physically through space when you’re mentally stuck. The fresh air, the change in scenery, and the act of walking all help to clear the fog, making room for clarity and focus. Sometimes, when we’re overwhelmed, we lose sight of the forest for the trees. A walk helps me zoom out, see the bigger picture, and return with a renewed sense of purpose and perspective.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
When it comes to business and career growth, many people look for a tried-and-true formula, but I genuinely believe there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy. Instead, my approach is an amalgamation of risk-taking, curiosity, constant learning, exploration, and networking. The sum of these aspects has propelled me further than any single strategy could. I focus on doing things, on execution, and I’m always open to new experiences that might add a new dimension to what I do. So, if you’re looking for a ‘strategy,’ mine would be to avoid fixating on a single path and instead embrace a multi-faceted approach to your personal and professional development.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
My career is still in its early stages, and while I anticipate that I’ll face numerous challenges and failures, I haven’t encountered a massive failure yet. That said, the journey has been filled with smaller, instructive missteps. Take our venture Vintti, for example. We invested a lot in traditional marketing strategies and didn’t see a single lead come from it. But I don’t consider that a failure; it was a learning opportunity. We analyzed what went wrong and adjusted our approach accordingly. Each ‘failure’ is simply a stepping stone to better understanding what works and what doesn’t. It’s all part of the process of elimination that helps refine our strategy over time.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I don’t necessarily have a specific business idea to hand out, but I can point you in a direction that has high potential. Instead of entering markets that are red oceans—highly competitive and saturated—I suggest you look for blue oceans. These are markets with considerably lower competition but a significant Total Addressable Market (TAM). Often, ideas that seem ‘boring’ are the most promising because they’ve been overlooked or considered too dull to tackle. If you can find a unique angle in such an area, you’re already ahead of the game. Sometimes the best opportunities are hiding in plain sight, disguised as something many people would overlook.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
My productivity isn’t reliant on sophisticated software. I use a simple checklist to help keep me on track. I either jot it down in Notion or sometimes just use sticky notes. The act of physically checking off completed tasks gives me a sense of accomplishment and keeps me focused.
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
Well, to be honest, the best money I’ve spent recently was far less than $100. I’ve built and sold several apps using no-code platforms, with minuscule investments. For example, I spent just $12 on one app that I sold for $1,700. The ROI on that was phenomenal. So in essence, the best money spent was on tiny investments that reaped big rewards, validating that you don’t need a large budget to create value.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
I gained a lot of insights from the book “Zero to One” by Blake Masters and Peter Thiel. It’s packed with unconventional wisdom about startups and business growth. It forces you to think differently and challenges many business clichés.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I’m not a big movie fan; I find it hard to focus for two hours straight. However, I do enjoy movies like “Batman” and “Now You See Me.” They keep me engaged. For series, I love heist and crime shows like “Lupin.” They keep me on the edge of my seat and are excellent for short bursts of entertainment.
Key learnings:
- Success in business does not require a large investment; small, smart bets can yield high returns.
- There is no one-size-fits-all strategy for business growth; flexibility, risk-taking, and continuous learning are vital.
- Conventional business wisdom is often ripe for disruption, as evidenced by the utility of no-code platforms and ‘boring’ but profitable niche markets.
- Productivity doesn’t have to be complicated; sometimes a simple checklist is all that’s needed.
- A focus on well-being, including physical activity and time with loved ones, is as important as professional accomplishments.