Damjan Dano and His Journey to Building Aqtos To $500 MRR
Damjan Dano and His Journey to Building Aqtos To $500 MRR
Nov 22, 2024
Damjan Dano
Damjan Dano
⏳ 7 min
⏳ 7 min
Revenue/month
Revenue/month
$500
$500
$500
No. of founders
No. of founders
1
1
1
Startup costs
Startup costs
N/A
N/A
N/A
Company type
Company type
Company type
Saas
Saas
Saas
Contents
The Backstory
The Backstory
Damjan Dano, a 36-year-old entrepreneur who’s spent 17 years building a successful service business in ICT (Information and Communications Technology). You might think that running a profitable company for nearly two decades would mean you’ve got it all figured out, right? But Damjan was craving something different — something with potential beyond the grind of project after project. Enter Aqtos, his dream of a scalable business that’s in development… and is quite literally draining his bank account.
Here’s the scoop on Damjan's journey, the money he's sinking, and the dream he's chasing.
Damjan Dano, a 36-year-old entrepreneur who’s spent 17 years building a successful service business in ICT (Information and Communications Technology). You might think that running a profitable company for nearly two decades would mean you’ve got it all figured out, right? But Damjan was craving something different — something with potential beyond the grind of project after project. Enter Aqtos, his dream of a scalable business that’s in development… and is quite literally draining his bank account.
Here’s the scoop on Damjan's journey, the money he's sinking, and the dream he's chasing.
How It All Started
How It All Started
Damjan’s first dollar didn’t come from a lemonade stand or mowing lawns. No, he earned it online when he was in 7th grade. He’d signed up for a referral program and made $20–$30. What did he do with it? Bought books about the Internet. That curiosity paid off big time.
By 8th grade, he leveled up his earnings. A local business paid him $100 to design their website using Dreamweaver. Suddenly, he was hooked. One project led to another, and before he knew it, he’d built a career in ICT — one that grew into a successful service company that still sends him dividend checks each year.
Damjan’s first dollar didn’t come from a lemonade stand or mowing lawns. No, he earned it online when he was in 7th grade. He’d signed up for a referral program and made $20–$30. What did he do with it? Bought books about the Internet. That curiosity paid off big time.
By 8th grade, he leveled up his earnings. A local business paid him $100 to design their website using Dreamweaver. Suddenly, he was hooked. One project led to another, and before he knew it, he’d built a career in ICT — one that grew into a successful service company that still sends him dividend checks each year.
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➤ Every week, we dig up stories of how regular people started and grew their businesses—
➤ Plus the marketing hacks that won them customers.
➤ Then, we share those insights with you.
➤ Every week, we dig up stories of how regular people started and grew their businesses—
➤ Plus the marketing hacks that won them customers.
➤ Then, we share those insights with you.
From Service to Scalability
From Service to Scalability
Running a successful service business may sound like a dream, but Damjan started to feel the weight of the "client cycle." The cycle went like this: Find new clients, gather project specs, build, rinse, and repeat. Sounds exhausting? It was.
In 2018, while working on a huge project creating a crypto exchange for Wall Street banks, Damjan had a lightbulb moment: “I don’t want to spend my life building one-off projects for clients.” He wanted to build something that could grow on its own, without the constant hustle for the next big contract. And with that, the idea for Aqtos was born.
Running a successful service business may sound like a dream, but Damjan started to feel the weight of the "client cycle." The cycle went like this: Find new clients, gather project specs, build, rinse, and repeat. Sounds exhausting? It was.
In 2018, while working on a huge project creating a crypto exchange for Wall Street banks, Damjan had a lightbulb moment: “I don’t want to spend my life building one-off projects for clients.” He wanted to build something that could grow on its own, without the constant hustle for the next big contract. And with that, the idea for Aqtos was born.
Building Aqtos
Building Aqtos
Aqtos isn’t just another tool in the productivity software space. Damjan likes to call it a “Business Operating System as a Service” — or BOSS. His goal is to build a comprehensive, all-in-one platform that helps small businesses manage everything from tasks and projects to invoicing, HR, and even website monitoring. He says Aqtos is “one heavily opinionated piece of code” because it offers more than just tools; it delivers business and operational wisdom.
The problem? Building Aqtos is complex. Unlike many products that are rushed to market, Damjan’s approach is slow and steady. He wants quality over quick wins. He knows the competition is fierce, and he’s all in, pouring his heart, time, and money into making Aqtos a standout product.
(The landing page of Aqtos)
Aqtos isn’t just another tool in the productivity software space. Damjan likes to call it a “Business Operating System as a Service” — or BOSS. His goal is to build a comprehensive, all-in-one platform that helps small businesses manage everything from tasks and projects to invoicing, HR, and even website monitoring. He says Aqtos is “one heavily opinionated piece of code” because it offers more than just tools; it delivers business and operational wisdom.
The problem? Building Aqtos is complex. Unlike many products that are rushed to market, Damjan’s approach is slow and steady. He wants quality over quick wins. He knows the competition is fierce, and he’s all in, pouring his heart, time, and money into making Aqtos a standout product.
(The landing page of Aqtos)
Navigating Funding
Navigating Funding
Damjan has a tricky relationship with VC funding. He knows it could speed things up, but he’s reluctant to give up control. Bootstrapping Aqtos means he’s able to call the shots, but it also means development has been slow. He’s been working on Aqtos since 2018, and it’s still not officially launched. Damjan says, “This goes beyond the ‘ship fast’ mantra, but we really need quality products.”
To help other founders make up their minds about VC, Damjan created ToVCorNot — a tool that helps people decide if VC funding is the right move for their business. But for now, he’s sticking to his bootstrapped guns and doing things his way, even if it means a slower growth trajectory.
Damjan has a tricky relationship with VC funding. He knows it could speed things up, but he’s reluctant to give up control. Bootstrapping Aqtos means he’s able to call the shots, but it also means development has been slow. He’s been working on Aqtos since 2018, and it’s still not officially launched. Damjan says, “This goes beyond the ‘ship fast’ mantra, but we really need quality products.”
To help other founders make up their minds about VC, Damjan created ToVCorNot — a tool that helps people decide if VC funding is the right move for their business. But for now, he’s sticking to his bootstrapped guns and doing things his way, even if it means a slower growth trajectory.
The Financial Reality
The Financial Reality
Creating Aqtos hasn’t been cheap. Damjan has poured his savings and consulting income into it, keeping a team of 15 people on payroll. Here’s a breakdown of his monthly expenses:
Payroll: $15,000
Maintenance: $1,000
Software and Tech: $4,000
Total: $20,000/month.
That's $20k a month out of his own pocket, with no outside funding. Add to that Damjan’s personal expenses (he’s got twins, and apparently, feeding and caring for twins isn’t cheap), and you can see why his bank account is taking a hit. He’s making about $500 MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue) from early access users, but that’s a far cry from the $20k he’s spending monthly.
To keep things going, he’s relying on yearly dividends from his old service company, which he says brings in “a decent annual salary by US standards.”
Creating Aqtos hasn’t been cheap. Damjan has poured his savings and consulting income into it, keeping a team of 15 people on payroll. Here’s a breakdown of his monthly expenses:
Payroll: $15,000
Maintenance: $1,000
Software and Tech: $4,000
Total: $20,000/month.
That's $20k a month out of his own pocket, with no outside funding. Add to that Damjan’s personal expenses (he’s got twins, and apparently, feeding and caring for twins isn’t cheap), and you can see why his bank account is taking a hit. He’s making about $500 MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue) from early access users, but that’s a far cry from the $20k he’s spending monthly.
To keep things going, he’s relying on yearly dividends from his old service company, which he says brings in “a decent annual salary by US standards.”
Going All In on Aqtos
Going All In on Aqtos
Aqtos wasn’t always Damjan’s full-time gig. For years, it was a side hustle, something he worked on after hours. But after two failed attempts to juggle Aqtos with his service business, he realized it was time to go all in. In January 2024, he left his clients and turned his full attention to Aqtos.
His advice? “If you’re serious about something, you have to focus and give it a real chance. Yes, it’s scary. Yes, failure is just around the corner. But you have to face the music. And then, just keep on dancing.” Since going full-time, he’s been working closely with a handful of early customers to refine the product and ensure it’s ready for the broader market.
Betting on What He Knows
Even with all the money going into Aqtos, Damjan still finds ways to invest outside of his company. He’s not one to put money under the mattress. Instead, he likes tech stocks — the FAAMG giants, as well as NVDA (Nvidia) and TSLA (Tesla). He also puts some money into media companies (ITlogs.com and IT.mk) and dabbles in real estate.
But Aqtos is the big bet. It’s his retirement plan, and he’s pouring everything into making it a reality.
The Freedom of the Bigger Picture
While Damjan invests in stocks and real estate, he doesn’t micromanage his daily expenses. He’s not counting pennies or beating himself up over buying an extra coffee. For him, financial freedom means focusing on the big picture and not sweating the small stuff. Sure, it might mean he’s not maximizing his wealth, but it also means he has the mental space to concentrate on Aqtos and the things he values.
Aqtos wasn’t always Damjan’s full-time gig. For years, it was a side hustle, something he worked on after hours. But after two failed attempts to juggle Aqtos with his service business, he realized it was time to go all in. In January 2024, he left his clients and turned his full attention to Aqtos.
His advice? “If you’re serious about something, you have to focus and give it a real chance. Yes, it’s scary. Yes, failure is just around the corner. But you have to face the music. And then, just keep on dancing.” Since going full-time, he’s been working closely with a handful of early customers to refine the product and ensure it’s ready for the broader market.
Betting on What He Knows
Even with all the money going into Aqtos, Damjan still finds ways to invest outside of his company. He’s not one to put money under the mattress. Instead, he likes tech stocks — the FAAMG giants, as well as NVDA (Nvidia) and TSLA (Tesla). He also puts some money into media companies (ITlogs.com and IT.mk) and dabbles in real estate.
But Aqtos is the big bet. It’s his retirement plan, and he’s pouring everything into making it a reality.
The Freedom of the Bigger Picture
While Damjan invests in stocks and real estate, he doesn’t micromanage his daily expenses. He’s not counting pennies or beating himself up over buying an extra coffee. For him, financial freedom means focusing on the big picture and not sweating the small stuff. Sure, it might mean he’s not maximizing his wealth, but it also means he has the mental space to concentrate on Aqtos and the things he values.
Building Something Meaningful
Building Something Meaningful
Damjan’s message to other founders is clear: Build something that matters to you. There’s no point in chasing “get-rich-quick” schemes or obsessing over MRR milestones. “Ignore the noise,” he says. “Stay true to your vision, even — or especially — when things get tough.”
He believes there’s too much “MRR porn” out there, showing off rapid growth and massive revenues. That’s fine, but it’s not his style. He’s here to build something real, something that will make a difference for his users.
His advice? “You do you.”
Damjan’s message to other founders is clear: Build something that matters to you. There’s no point in chasing “get-rich-quick” schemes or obsessing over MRR milestones. “Ignore the noise,” he says. “Stay true to your vision, even — or especially — when things get tough.”
He believes there’s too much “MRR porn” out there, showing off rapid growth and massive revenues. That’s fine, but it’s not his style. He’s here to build something real, something that will make a difference for his users.
His advice? “You do you.”
The Takeaway: Lessons from Damjan’s Journey
The Takeaway: Lessons from Damjan’s Journey
Invest in Skills Early: Damjan made his first dollar in 7th grade and reinvested it in learning more about the Internet. The takeaway? Invest in your knowledge. It’ll pay off.
Stay True to Your Vision: Despite the pressure to “ship fast,” Damjan believes in quality over speed. Building something great takes time, and if you’re in it for the long haul, don’t rush.
Financial Freedom is About Balance: Damjan invests in what he knows and doesn’t sweat the small expenses. His focus is on the bigger picture, which lets him prioritize his goals without getting bogged down by tiny financial decisions.
Know When to Go All In: Aqtos started as a side hustle, but Damjan knew it needed his full attention. If you believe in your project, sometimes you have to go all in — even if it’s scary.
Don’t Follow the Hype: The startup world is filled with advice and stories of overnight success, but Damjan’s journey is a reminder to ignore the noise. Build something you believe in, even if it means slow growth.
Invest in Skills Early: Damjan made his first dollar in 7th grade and reinvested it in learning more about the Internet. The takeaway? Invest in your knowledge. It’ll pay off.
Stay True to Your Vision: Despite the pressure to “ship fast,” Damjan believes in quality over speed. Building something great takes time, and if you’re in it for the long haul, don’t rush.
Financial Freedom is About Balance: Damjan invests in what he knows and doesn’t sweat the small expenses. His focus is on the bigger picture, which lets him prioritize his goals without getting bogged down by tiny financial decisions.
Know When to Go All In: Aqtos started as a side hustle, but Damjan knew it needed his full attention. If you believe in your project, sometimes you have to go all in — even if it’s scary.
Don’t Follow the Hype: The startup world is filled with advice and stories of overnight success, but Damjan’s journey is a reminder to ignore the noise. Build something you believe in, even if it means slow growth.
Damjan’s story is a lesson in resilience, grit, and staying true to what matters. He’s not building Aqtos to get rich overnight. He’s building it because he believes it will make a difference for small businesses. And he’s willing to risk his time, his savings, and a good night’s sleep to make it happen.
Follow Damjan on X to follow up on his journey to building Aqtos
P.S. I’ve got a weekly newsletter where I share stories about founders who have started successful online businesses, growth strategies, business ideas, and tips to start/grow your own business. I would love for you to join us here
Shoot me a DM if you want to share your story or visit this page to submit your information 💌
- h/t Indie Hackers, Crunchbase, Aqtos⇢ Great resources
Damjan’s story is a lesson in resilience, grit, and staying true to what matters. He’s not building Aqtos to get rich overnight. He’s building it because he believes it will make a difference for small businesses. And he’s willing to risk his time, his savings, and a good night’s sleep to make it happen.
Follow Damjan on X to follow up on his journey to building Aqtos
P.S. I’ve got a weekly newsletter where I share stories about founders who have started successful online businesses, growth strategies, business ideas, and tips to start/grow your own business. I would love for you to join us here
Shoot me a DM if you want to share your story or visit this page to submit your information 💌
- h/t Indie Hackers, Crunchbase, Aqtos⇢ Great resources
