The First Customer - Redefining Strategic Consulting for a Changing World with Founder Tomé Duarte

The First Customer

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Tomé Duarte, the Fractional CTO and Founder of Penguin Objective.
Tomé shares how he started the year strong with a record-setting Q1, crediting his meticulous use of spreadsheets for managing his operations and cash flow. Originally from Portugal, Tomé explains that he lived in Brazil and Ireland before settling back in his homeland, though his primary market is North America due to the fast-paced business culture. He emphasizes how the U.S. and Canadian markets align with his preference for growth-oriented and fast-moving business environments, contrasting this with the more traditional approaches often seen in Europe.
Tomé discusses the origins of Penguin Objective, a company name derived from a government-issued list in Portugal, which resonated with him due to his connection to Linux. He explains that Penguin Objective focuses on providing fractional CTO services to pre-seed and early-stage startups, helping them navigate tech strategy, operations, and development challenges. He also delves into his entrepreneurial background, inspired by his father's civil engineering business and built on experience from previous ventures. Tomé talks about refining his ideal customer profile (ICP) and offering over time, shifting from large enterprises to startups that better align with his values and goals, while also sharing the importance of being adaptable and open to opportunities that may arise unexpectedly, much like his symbolic encounter with a frog mascot at a Web Summit event.
Let's explore the vibrant streets of Porto and uncover Tomé Duarte's journey of resilience, innovation, and creative leadership on The First Customer!
Guest Info:
Penguin Objective
https://iamto.me/
Tomé Duarte's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeduarte/
Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
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https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
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