Andy Allen raised 5 million, built a hardware-software company, had a decent exit, and then walked away from all of it. Most founders would double down and scale.

Andy did the opposite.

He started Not Boring Software — fully bootstrapped, no investors, making apps that feel like nothing else on your phone.

What Andy is doing isn't just different, it's proof that there's another path most designers don't even know exists. You don't have to raise money, scale fast or break things.

You can just make something beautiful with a point of view where people can feel you in the work.

A refreshing conversation for those tired of the ambient noise lately.

Get the UX Tools Newsletter (written by me)
Join 100,000+ designers for weekly insights on creative software and the people shaping it: https://uxtools.co

CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Walking away from 5 million
02:27 - Camera app becomes biggest launch yet
04:04 - Why speed is overrated for quality work
07:25 - Fully bootstrapped vs VC funding pressure
09:17 - Physical prototypes and 3D printing process
13:09 - Avoiding AI hype, focusing on interface innovation
15:45 - Game design principles in everyday apps
18:36 - The "kid in the cockpit" design philosophy
20:49 - Creative recovery and exploration process
22:49 - Leaving VC startup world for sustainable business
25:19 - Defining "enough" as a company and creator
28:44 - Being a beacon for other designers
32:11 - What's missing in design storytelling
36:51 - Hands in the clay vs management roles

LINKS:
Not Boring Software: https://notbor.ing
Andy Allen: https://x.com/asallen
Not Boring Camera App (iOS): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/not-boring-camera/id6737783441

FOLLOW ME:
X / Twitter: https://x.com/designertom
Instagram: https://instagram.com/itsdesignertom
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tommygeoco