WORK IN PROGRESS

Silicon Valley runs on stories. Reality runs on systems. Eric Simone has lived through multiple tech eras, from mainframes to the dot-com crash to modern IoT hype, and built ClearBlade while others chased narratives that collapsed under real-world scale. This episode is about what actually breaks companies: bad timing, fragile platforms, and founders who confuse momentum with durability. Strip awa...

Founders don’t burn out from work alone. They burn out from running on stress, guesswork, and broken systems. Ian and Wes start with the Ray Peat diet, then pivot into the operating systems that keep startups sane: Brand Sprint, ICP-first messaging, and the tradeoffs between Framer and Webflow when you need to ship fast and stay scalable. Highlights: Ray Peat playbook: sugar, sleep, and founder en...

After a deal-closing trip to Dallas and Austin, Ian and Wes dive into cultural differences between the US and Europe, the boldness of American founders, and why Austin might be the ultimate tech base for their next wave of growth. They also reveal Noco’s new Webflow Enterprise Partner status, unpack the playbook to build a $10M ARR AI agent business, and debate whether media should become the busi...

From Amsterdam to Austin. From Bitterbal to Brisket. From Seed-stage to Unicorn. In this episode, Ian and Wes dive into what it really takes to scale a modern SaaS agency. They explore why “boring” businesses are winning, how Noco is evolving with CRO subscriptions and funnel services, and why in-person still matters—even in a remote-first world. Plus, an inside look at Eli5’s new AI tools and the...

What happens when everything is going well, but you still feel off? In this episode, Ian and Wes open with an unfiltered conversation about burnout, energy swings, and the strange self-sabotage that kicks in when business finally gets calm. That spirals into a full teardown of GDPR, where they walk through the real-world consequences of the EU's regulatory overreach and why it did irreversible...

Ian and Wes take you on a wild ride through Episode 19, unpacking pyramid power plant theories with nods to Graham Hancock, debating Bob Lazar’s alien whistleblowing saga, and wrestling with Europe’s Tesla vandalism wave. The stakes get real as Wes wraps Eli5’s intense hiring sprint, seven new hires streamlined with lessons for the future, while Ian revels in Noco’s overflowing pipeline, plotting...

In this episode, we dive into everything from scaling a business without killing the fun to automating workflows and filtering out 806 applicants. Ian breaks down Noco’s rapidly growing sales pipeline and how their flexible subscription model is finally clicking with customers. Wes shares his philosophy on keeping Eli5 lean, solving client problems that spawn new business ideas, and the painful pr...

In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, we go deep on: The software developer job collapse – AI is eating junior developer roles. Is the middle-class engineer disappearing? AI-powered coding in Webflow and beyond – How Webflow Apps, GSAP, and AI-driven coding tools are changing the game. Make vs. Zapier and the automation gap – Why most businesses aren't even ready for AI workflows. Escaping Amst...

In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes break down:Hiring in 2025 – Why the job market has changed, how AI is reshaping hiring, and why some candidates still show up unprepared. Elon Musk vs. Sam Altman – The OpenAI lawsuit, the drama behind its transition from nonprofit to for-profit, and the bigger picture in the AI war. Why UX wins the AI race – ChatGPT, Grok, Claude… which one is actu...

In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes tackle the hiring struggle in design, new AI-powered updates in Webflow, and a regulation allowing insect protein in food. A mix of practical insights, rants, and some well-earned laughs: The Designer Hiring Crisis – Why is it so hard to find designers with good taste? Ian and Wes discuss the massive gap between applications and actual talent. AI in...

In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes cover a mix of personal milestones, business insights, and AI-driven industry shifts: Fatherhood and Life Changes – Ian shares the news of becoming a dad, and Wes reflects on his own journey as a parent, including the unexpected realities of raising a child. DeepSeek AI and OpenAI’s Competition – A discussion on DeepSeek’s rise, its cost advantages,...

In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes navigate a mix of timely and timeless topics: - The Trump Inauguration: Reflections on policy shifts, executive orders, and their broader implications for society. - The rise of vertical AI: How hyper-specialized tools are reshaping B2B SaaS, streamlining industries with AI-driven innovation. - Crypto’s clown show: From Bitcoin’s original ethos to t...

In episode 12 of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes dive deep into the nuances of modern agencies, AI-driven workflows, and what it takes to create scalable, authentic content strategies. Reflecting on the constant balancing act between short-term wins and long-term growth, they explore how the pendulum of freedom, innovation, and authenticity is shaping the business landscape. Key topics include: - Th...

In episode 11 of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes ring in 2025 with an upgraded studio setup and reflections on where technology, creativity, and business are headed. From the shifting role of AI to the evolving importance of taste, intuition, and resilience, this episode is packed with insights for anyone navigating the intersection of tech and human ingenuity. Key topics include: (0:00) Intro and n...

In this milestone 10th episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian Piepenbrock and Wes Botman reflect on a transformative 2024 and lay the groundwork for an ambitious 2025. From navigating personal losses to reshaping business strategies, this conversation explores the lessons, challenges, and opportunities that defined the past year and what lies ahead. Highlights include: - The importance of resilience in...

In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes navigate the highs and lows of running productized agencies and building systems that never skip a beat. From dissecting LinkedIn's "gray mass of mediocrity" to unveiling Noco's refined 2025 service offerings, the conversation touches on authenticity, content strategy, and the delicate balance between grind culture and scaling sust...

In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes dive into a rollercoaster of topics ranging from the challenges of running a direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand to the systemic issues within Europe's tech landscape. Wes opens up about the ups and downs of his DTC furniture brand, Selé, revealing valuable lessons on delegation, operations, and branding. The conversation then shifts to a candid critique...

In Episode #7 of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes dive into the emerging world of AI agents, their potential to revolutionize industries, and how they’re tinkering with tools like Lindy AI. They discuss practical applications, challenges, and exciting prospects for the future of automation and efficiency in business. Chapters: (0:00) Intro and Setting the Stage (2:15) What Are AI Agents? (6:40) Verti...

In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian Piepenbrock and Jelle Bot explore the transformative future of no-code tools, the challenges of minimalist design in B2B SaaS, and how agencies can stay ahead in a fast-evolving creative landscape. They discuss Webflow vs. Framer, the role of AI in shaping websites, and why emotional, maximalist design may be the key to standing out in a saturated market. I...

In Episode 5 of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes dive into: Shifting Overton Windows and its impact on entrepreneurial discourse. Marc Andreessen’s explosive Joe Rogan appearance and its implications. Challenges faced by European founders and how to break free from bureaucratic constraints. The duo also shares insights into sleep trackers, including Wes’s personal journey with Whoop, and why sleep da...

In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, we explore the grind of building businesses with some practical insights and unfiltered takes. From why front-loading energy and pain is essential for success, to the controversial (if not disastrous) Jaguar rebrand, we cover the highs, lows, and lessons learned. We also dive into the game-changing potential of AI-powered video localization and how it could res...

In this episode of the WORK IN PROGRESS podcast, we dive into the grit and grind of building businesses, with topics ranging from startup lessons and iterative growth to the inefficiencies of corporate bureaucracy. We also tackle the stark contrasts between the US and EU entrepreneurial climates, highlight Pieter Levels’ critiques of European policies, and debate Elon Musk’s push for governmental...

Welcome to the second episode of WIP The Podcast – straight out of Amsterdam, where we dive deep into the realities of scaling, struggling, and sometimes stumbling as founders. We’re not here to sell you the polished “guru” story; we’re in the trenches ourselves, sharing the raw, unvarnished truth of building something real. In this episode, we tackle: Difficult Customers – why every “difficult” c...

Welcome to the first episode of WIP The Podcast – straight out of Amsterdam, where we get real about the grit and grind of building a business. We’re not your average gurus with a success story wrapped in a bow. We’re founders in the trenches, sharing what it actually takes to scale, learn, fail, and iterate. In this episode, we dig into: The Decel Mindset – why there’s zero room for it if you’re...