In this engaging episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Anthony Sapountzis is joined by Jimmy Li, Co-Founder of ZapCat. Jimmy has led product teams at Mable, Atomi, and Mosh, and has founded two businesses, offering him a wealth of experience in both the startup and product management worlds. He shares his journey from his early days as a civil engineer to building one of New Zealand’s largest 1-to-1 tutoring businesses. Despite the success of his first business, Jimmy faced challenges with profitability, which ultimately led him to transition into product management. This shift allowed him to develop a deep understanding of customer needs, market structures, and the value of bringing diverse perspectives together—insights that would guide him in his future ventures.
As the conversation unfolds, Jimmy delves into the lessons he’s learned throughout his career, particularly the importance of product prioritisation and self-awareness. Reflecting on his early days as a founder, he admits to struggling with “shiny object syndrome” but credits structured roles for teaching him the discipline to focus on what truly matters. He discusses the tension between being a founder with all the responsibilities of running a business and transitioning into a more structured role where decisions are often made within a team environment. Jimmy also touches on the evolving nature of his work, and how his perspective shifted from being the sole boss to being a team player in a larger organisation.
Jimmy opens up about the challenges of scaling a startup, particularly the balance between being adaptable and maintaining a clear direction as the business grows. While early-stage startups often require constant pivots to find product-market fit, scaling a business necessitates a more stable approach. Jimmy emphasises that focusing on solving real customer problems, rather than creating unnecessary systems, is crucial to ensuring long-term success. He stresses that customer acquisition is a key factor in achieving sustainable growth, while also highlighting the importance of understanding when to stop tinkering and focus on scalability.
The episode also covers the challenges of product development, especially in fast-growing businesses. Jimmy shares his personal experience of moving away from over-engineering and learning to release products faster by prioritising the most impactful features. Both Anthony and Jimmy discuss how many startups fall into the trap of chasing overnight success and how important it is to be clear about goals, ensuring that products are validated before they hit the market. The conversation underscores the significance of embracing imperfection and releasing minimum viable products (MVPs) to get meaningful feedback from customers.
Finally, Jimmy discusses ZapCat’s mission to help Australian households transition to clean energy. Through a tech-enabled platform, ZapCat simplifies the process of adopting renewable technologies like solar, batteries, and heat pumps. By focusing on education, building trust, and streamlining service delivery, ZapCat makes it easier for consumers to navigate the complexities of clean energy adoption. Jimmy reflects on how his experiences led him to create a platform that addresses the real challenges customers face in this space, ultimately making green energy more accessible and scalable for the masses. The conversation concludes with insights on the changing landscape of venture capital funding and the importance of building businesses with solid fundamentals, focusing on long-term sustainability over external validation.
Topics Covered
- Jimmy Li’s journey from civil engineer to entrepreneur
- Lessons learned in product prioritisation and self-awareness
- Challenges faced in the startup and scale-up phases
- Importance of customer acquisition and sustainable scaling
- Transitioning from over-engineering to faster product releases
- Importance of MVPs and real feedback
- ZapCat’s role in simplifying clean energy adoption for Australian households
- The realities of scaling a startup with venture capital
- Balancing VC feedback with founder’s judgment
- Building a business with solid fundamentals and real impact
Important Time Stamps
- The Founder’s Journey: Lessons in Product Management with Jimmy Li (0:07 – 3:04)
- Jimmy Li Reveals the Biggest Shock in His First PM Role (3:05 – 10:02)
- The Best Advice Every Founder Needs: Get One Customer, Then Ten, Then 100 (10:03 – 13:56)
- The 80/20 Rule in Product Development – Cut Out What Doesn’t Matter (13:57 – 20:07)
- ZapCat: Making Clean Tech as Easy as Ordering Takeaway! (20:08 – 27:33)
- Building Enduring Businesses: Jimmy Li’s Key Insights on Startups (27:34 – 31:56)
