Vision.Values.Business. Interview with Marcin Kulawik.

In this exciting interview, we sit down with Marcin Kulawik, the CEO of SolveQ, a leading custom software development company. Marcin shares his valuable insights on what it takes to run a successful business in today's competitive landscape. He stresses the importance of having a clear vision and strong values that guide decision-making and provide direction for the company.

According to Marcin, a relentless focus on customer satisfaction and employee well-being are key ingredients for long-term success. He reveals how SolveQ has stood out in a crowded market by staying true to these values.

As we delve deeper into the discussion, Marcin gives us a glimpse into SolveQ's plans, including their expansion into new markets and investment in cutting-edge technologies. This interview is a must-read for anyone looking to build a successful business prioritizing values and vision.

How did you transition from a technical role in software development to a leadership position as the CEO of SolveQ?

My journey in tech began in software development, but I made a conscious decision to transition into a more soft and managerial area of the industry. I started as a Project Manager and worked up to various managerial roles, eventually becoming the CTO of a logistics startup in The Netherlands. After that, I founded SolveQ.

The most significant difference I have experienced is the increased responsibility that comes with being a CEO, which extends beyond technical tasks and includes managing people. Another notable change is my more comprehensive perspective on what's happening inside and outside the company. As a CEO, I am responsible for promoting the company and engaging with different stakeholders.

Furthermore, I have the opportunity to work with experts from different domains, such as management, finance, and consulting, which has broadened my expertise and provided me with unique insights into various industries. The transition from technical to leadership roles has been a rewarding journey that has allowed me to grow personally and professionally.

What led you to establish SolveQ, a custom software development company?

For me, setting up SolveQ resulted from several factors coming together. Having previously been responsible for building technical teams for a startup in The Netherlands, I saw firsthand how challenging it could be. As I returned to Poland, I came up with the idea of helping product companies and founders by providing development teams from Poland, known for having some of the best engineers in the world. I wanted to create a company that could bridge the gap between innovative startups and high-quality software development services. And that's how SolveQ was born.

Why SolveQ? Why did you choose this company name?

It came from the composition of two worlds, Solve - meaning solving our client's problems, with Q - quality. Quality It is not only about building the best software but also about delivering the value and best experience throughout the process. Starting from getting engagement from the client, discussing and understanding the problem or need, preparing and executing the proposal, to final closure.

Can you tell us more about SolveQ and its history? What were some key turning points?

I started the company after working as a CTO at Twill Logistics, where I struggled to build a technical team. With the idea of providing development teams from Poland, known for its skilled engineers, SolveQ was born. We began with just one client, Froto from Germany, and two developers, including myself.

Since then, we have steadily and organically grown from three to 35 people, evolving from a one-man army to a structured and efficient organization with different people responsible for different aspects.

In my opinion, there were three critical turning points in the history of SolveQ. Firstly, it became clear from the beginning that we could not rely on organic growth alone, and we had to work hard to expand our portfolio of clients and projects. Secondly, the key to our success was inviting the right, motivated, and skilled people to join our team. Lastly, we learned that it was essential to trust people and delegate responsibility while showing appreciation for their efforts. These were the turning points that helped us grow into the successful company that we are today.

What motivated SolveQ to establish its company values, and how were they developed? Can you elaborate on the values themselves and their significance to the company?

SolveQ's company values were initially suggested by team members who believed establishing them was necessary. Through discussions and research, the company developed five core values: Trust, Innovation, Responsibility, Partnership, and Inclusion.

Trust is a fundamental value at SolveQ, and the team operates clearly and excellently. They keep their promises and follow through on commitments while remaining open, honest, and reliable. Innovation is another key value, as SolveQ's team is committed to being experts in their field and continuously seeking to improve their work. Responsibility is also a significant value, as the team considers the impact of their work on the environment and chooses effective solutions to achieve their goals. The partnership is another core value, as SolveQ believes in honest collaboration with their clients to help them achieve their objectives. Lastly, Inclusion is a fundamental value, as SolveQ values every voice and believes that every person can contribute to a project.

Overall, SolveQ's values serve as a foundation for its operations, helping the company maintain a clear focus on behaviors that align with its mission and objectives.

What are SolveQ's mission and vision? What are the company's plans for the future?

Our mission at SolveQ is to create a home for software development - a place where employees and clients alike feel comfortable and valued and where honest communication and problem-solving are at the forefront. Our motto, "We build and ship. You enjoy." reflects our commitment to streamlining the digital product development process and ensuring our clients can sit back and relax while we handle the heavy lifting.

As for our plans, in the short term (3-6 months), we are focused on preparing for post-crisis growth by refining our sales process, streamlining operations, and expanding our HR capabilities. Over the next year, we plan to continue growing within our niche and aim to achieve a 50-100% increase in size. In the long term, our goal is to become one of the top three leaders in our chosen niche.