John O'Nolan — Make Lemonade Podcast
JR Farr
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John O'Nolan is not just an entrepreneur; he's a visionary in the world of independent publishing. Ghost, the platform he founded, stands out as an innovative experiment in the tech industry. Unlike many other tech startups, Ghost has chosen a path less traveled. Instead of chasing venture capital, John has set Ghost up as a non-profit organization. This unique structure ensures that Ghost remains independent, with no risk of being bought or sold.
Ghost's core product is open source, reflecting John's commitment to transparency and community-driven development. The platform operates on a straightforward SaaS model, which funds future development while keeping the product accessible and user-friendly.
John O'Nolan is known for his strong opinions and bold views, many of which challenge conventional wisdom in the tech world. His approach to building Ghost is a testament to his belief in doing things differently and prioritizing sustainability over rapid growth.
In this episode of Make Lemonade, we dive into John's journey with Ghost, exploring his motivations, challenges, and the principles that guide his work. We discuss the benefits and drawbacks of operating as a non-profit, the importance of open-source software, and John's vision for the future of publishing.
Timestamps
- 00:00 Intro
- 00:48 From music to software
- 01:50 The benefits of anonymity
- 06:44 Launching Ghost as a non-profit
- 14:26 Why launch on Kickstarter
- 19:12 Is the longevity of blogging susprising?
- 22:25 What companies is venture capital right for?
- 23:40 Should more companies follow the non profit model?
- 25:50 John's approach to making great products
- 27:45 How John views competition
- 29:41 How do they ship at Ghost
- 36:38 The fediverse and ActivityPub
- 42:15 John's favourite newsletters
- 43:41 John's hobbies
As always thanks for being a listener of the Make Lemonade show. Hosted by @jrfarr & @jmckinven— brought to you by LemonSqueezy.com.
If you're looking to sell digital products online, be sure to check out Lemon Squeezy or follow us on Twitter @lmsqueezy.
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