Episode 213: Alykhan Jetha – Evolution of Daylite – Lessons in Cloud, Microservices & Eliminating Waste

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Description:

In this episode of The Builders Podcast, host Matt Levenhagen sits down with Alykhan Jetha (AJ), CEO of Marketcircle, to discuss the evolution of the Daylite app and the lessons learned through major technological shifts. What started as an internal tool grew into a full-fledged product, serving small businesses in their quest for efficiency and growth.

AJ shares the challenges and insights from transitioning Daylite from on-premise software to a cloud-based solution, a move that took nearly six years. The conversation also explores the pros and cons of microservices, why they initially seemed like a great fit but eventually created unnecessary complexity, and how AJ and his team refocused on eliminating waste to improve efficiency.

Beyond the technical journey, AJ offers valuable leadership lessons from building his company without a mentor, making tough business decisions, and staying committed to innovation while keeping customer needs at the forefront. If you’re interested in product evolution, cloud transitions, or scaling a small business, this episode is packed with actionable insights!

Key Takeaways:

• The Cloud Transition: Moving from on-premise to cloud is a long-term strategy that requires patience, planning, and strong customer communication.
• Microservices Realities: While microservices offer flexibility, they can introduce unnecessary complexity for smaller teams. Simplification and efficiency should always be the goal.
• Eliminating Waste: AJ highlights the importance of streamlining processes and questioning inefficiencies—if a process is taking over, it’s a red flag.

THE MEAT OF IT!

1. Introduction

• Meet Alykhan Jetha (AJ) – CEO of Marketcircle
• The origins of the Daylite app
• Transitioning from consulting to product development

2. The Evolution of Daylite

• Early days: From an internal tool to a commercial product
• On-premise software challenges and customer demands
• Recognizing the need for a cloud-based transition

3. Transitioning to the Cloud

• The six-year journey from on-prem to SaaS
• Challenges faced and lessons learned along the way
• Maintaining customer trust during the transition

4. The Promise & Pitfalls of Microservices

• Why microservices seemed like the right move
• The complexity of managing a microservices architecture
• Key takeaways: Streamlining and eliminating waste

5. The Small Business Focus

• How Daylite continues to serve small business productivity
• AJ’s philosophy on business growth and sustainability

6. Lessons in Leadership & Innovation

• Learning the hard way: Building a company without mentorship
• The importance of questioning processes to avoid waste
• AJ’s advice for entrepreneurs navigating tech and business challenges

7. Closing Thoughts & Future Outlook

• The evolving role of AI and automation in small business software
• What’s next for Marketcircle and Daylite?
• Parting words of wisdom from AJ

Check out these related Episodes:

• Episode 209: Jason Saltzman – Tackling the Debt Relief Problem: The Story Behind the Innovative Relief App
• Episode 207: Peter Bonney – From Vision to Reality: Fastbreak’s AI-Powered RFP Solutions Journey
• Episode 205: David Fano – Building Teal: Delaying the Build to Learn, Innovating with AI