Intro
At Wieni, we’re always excited to introduce new talent, and this time, we’re welcoming Thomas – also known as “Billy” – to our team as a fullstack developer. With a strong background in both front-end and back-end frameworks, Thomas brings a wealth of experience from the startup world. Let’s get to know him better in the interview below.
My journey in frontend development
I’ve been working in frontend development for most of my career, focusing on transforming designs into functional and user-friendly websites. In the frontend world, developers often fall into two categories – those focused on UX and those inclined toward logic and structure. I definitely belong to the second group. I enjoy solving complex technical challenges rather than designing interfaces myself.
From hacking consoles to building startups
Despite attending an arts-focused high school, I never saw myself as particularly artistic. Instead, I was drawn to logic and technology – hacking my PSP, installing ROMs, experimenting with Linux, and scripting. This curiosity led me to programming as early as my fifth year of high school.
I quickly immersed myself in the startup world, attending React meetups when the framework was still in its infancy. Through these experiences, I built connections that allowed me to work at various startups during my summers, gaining hands-on experience in real-world projects.
Some of my notable experiences include working at Tsjing, a Mechelen-based startup that developed an app for ordering food and drinks at cafés, which even took me to Tomorrowland. Later, I joined Settlements, a blockchain company in Leuven, where I worked on Ethereum bridges. My journey continued at Spencer, a subsidiary of November Five, where I took on multiple roles – project lead, backend, mobile development, analytics, DevOps – before the company downsized. Most recently, I was part of Watcherr, a startup focused on elderly care tracking using IoT. After years in a high-pressure startup environment, I decided it was time for a change.
Why Wieni stood out to me
What immediately stood out to me about Wieni is the sheer concentration of talent. Unlike many agencies that rapidly scale by hiring juniors, Wieni is highly selective, ensuring a consistently high level of expertise across teams.
“The tickets and designs are well thought out, and I can always move forward without unnecessary roadblocks. Productivity at Wieni is incredibly high.”
Another aspect I appreciate is the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously. Coming from the startup world, where pivoting and switching contexts is the norm, I enjoy the dynamic nature of working at Wieni.
My passion for the outdoors and deep dives into knowledge
Outside of work, I have a deep love for hiking, cycling, and outdoor adventures. Every year, I embark on long hiking trips, which serve as my personal reset button. I prefer high-altitude trekking, with the Alps being my top destination, but I also love exploring islands like Gran Canaria and Madeira for their diverse landscapes.
My dream hike? The Pacific Crest Trail, a legendary 5,500 km route from Mexico to Canada. Unlike many European trails formed over centuries, the PCT was purpose-built for long-distance hiking, making it one of the most well-designed trails in the world.
Beyond the outdoors, I’m an avid researcher, often diving deep into topics ranging from history and philosophy to niche connections like the ecological roots of early 20th-century fascism. I love getting lost in Wikipedia rabbit holes, constantly expanding my knowledge.
A unique skill? Winning Wieni’s cycling spring challenge in Berlin!
If I had to mention a unique skill, I’d proudly share my title as the winner of Wieni’s Cycling Spring Challenge in Berlin – just another testament to my love for endurance sports.
I’m excited to be part of Wieni and look forward to bringing my expertise to the team. Let’s build something great together!