Aytekin Tank's Journey: From Developer to 9-Figure CEO

Happy Tuesday,

Let me introduce you to Aytekin Tank…

A regular senior web developer in 2006, who transformed his side hustle into a 9-figure empire.

Today, he stands as the CEO of JotForm, an online form software company boasting over $84 million in revenue and a 550-strong team.

This incredible journey?

Achieved with zero external funding.

Here’s the scoop on his incredible transition, as detailed in Milan Kordestani's article on Entrepreneur.com:

Tank's stint at a large Internet media company in NYC laid the foundation.

Tasked with creating tools for editors, he identified a gaping need for efficient online form-building tools. That's where JotForm's story begins.

But here's the catch: during the day,

Tank was tied up with customer support, stalling JotForm’s growth.

His epiphany? Delegation.

By hiring a dedicated support team and systemizing the process, he shifted from firefighting to strategic growth, watching JotForm evolve into an industry leader almost on autopilot.

Tank's story isn't just inspiring; it's a playbook for all aspiring entrepreneurs.

It demonstrates that juggling a side hustle with a full-time job isn't just possible, it's potentially life-changing.

His strategic delegation and focus on customer support underpin JotForm's success, showcasing the power of smart business decisions.

So, what's the takeaway for you as a business leader? Delegation is key.

It’s crucial to focus on the big picture - making pivotal decisions that shape your company's future. And that's where marketing comes in.

Yes, marketing is vital, but it shouldn't consume all your bandwidth.

As founders and CEOs, your role is to steer the ship, not get bogged down in marketing minutiae.

Try these 9 delegation tips:

1. Identify Your "Superpower" Activities: Focus on what you do best and delegate the rest. It's about knowing your strengths and acknowledging that you can't do everything.

2. Hire for Culture and Train for Skill: When delegating, look for people who fit the culture of your team. Skills can be taught, but attitude and mindset are harder to change.

3. Clear Communication is Key: Be crystal clear about what you expect. A vague instruction leads to vague results. Set specific goals and deadlines.

4. Trust, But Verify: Delegation doesn’t mean washing your hands off responsibility. Trust your team but also have systems in place to monitor progress. Regular check-ins and dashboards are great for this.

5. Feedback Loops: Create a culture where feedback flows both ways. It helps in fine-tuning processes and ensures continuous improvement. Encourage your team to speak up and share ideas.

6. Empower Your Team: Give your team the authority to make decisions within their realm. This not only boosts confidence but also fosters a sense of ownership.

7. Learn from Mistakes: Not every delegated task will be executed perfectly. Use these instances as learning opportunities. Mistakes are just stepping stones to mastery.

Want to delegate your marketing with confidence?

That's where my team steps in.

I’ve hired a team of marketing and conversion optimization experts who can craft a personalized marketing plan for you, letting you concentrate on what you do best – leading your business to new heights.

We're on the hunt for clients who share our vision for impactful, result-oriented, and lasting partnerships.

Ready to free up your time and boost your growth?

Let us handle your marketing, so you can focus on leading your business to its next big breakthrough.

Request your free consultation here.

Stay ahead of the curve,
Eric Siu