Hi, I’m Istvan.
Building tools, writing books, and helping freelancers and small service teams work with clarity.
I’ve spent more than twenty years working with clients, leading projects, and building systems that help independent professionals and small business teams stay organized, profitable, and sane. I write for people who want more than inspirational quotes — people who want clear thinking, honest experience, and practical tools they can use right away.
My path so far
Hi, I’m Istvan. I’ve spent more than two decades building software, leading teams, and helping people work with clarity — first as a programmer, and later as the founder of a small development company.
I started my career in the 1990s as a Technical Director in a computer assembly business while I was still in university. After that, I spent more than ten years working as a software developer on large ERP systems for hospitals in Germany, and later for companies in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. Those years taught me precision, responsibility, and what it really means when software has to “just work” — because real lives depend on it.
I eventually became a freelancer myself, and later founded my own software company in 2006. Since then, we’ve built custom systems for clients in medicine, finance, and manufacturing, and we’ve created our own product, PlanArty — a time-tracking and profitability tool for service businesses. The core of my work has never changed: build things that respect people’s time, and make their work easier, not heavier.
What matters most to me is not just quality of code or features, but the well-being of the people I work with — colleagues, clients, freelancers, and now, readers. Time is the only resource we can’t make more of, so using it well — without burnout, chaos, or constant reactivity — has become one of my central principles.
I believe freelancing and independent work are a beautiful way to live — flexible, meaningful, and full of possibility — but only if you learn to handle the parts nobody talks about: stress, uncertainty, expectations, money, and the silent pressure of working alone.
Outside of work, I’m happiest when I’m walking through nature, hiking, or cooking old traditional recipes I learned from my mother and the elderly people of my village. At home, I spend time in the yard with my dogs, who are very much part of my daily life. Those moments help me remember why we work at all: to live, not to chase the next task.
The Successful Freelancer — Book Series
Real-world guidance for independent professionals — finding clients, managing relationships,
staying motivated, and growing without burnout.
How to Overcome Freelancing Challenges
Find balance, stay motivated, and master the business side of freelancing.
Freelancing isn’t just about being a great professional — it’s about being a one‑person company. This companion shows you how to navigate workload, pricing, confidence, burnout, slow periods, and everything in between.
Customer Management for Freelancers
Build lasting client relationships, protect your profit, and grow with confidence.
Your freelance career doesn’t depend on luck or algorithms — it depends on how well you manage the people who trust you with their projects. From first contact to long‑term partnership, this guide shows you the client journey step by step.
PlanArty
I’m also the founder of PlanArty, a precision time‑tracking and profitability tool for service‑based businesses. It’s built on the same principles as my books: clarity, control, and sustainable growth.
