The Brand Called You

Jeroen Derwort: Entrepreneur & Game Developer | Building Online Soccer Manager and Beyond

Listen Later
Jeroen Derwort: Entrepreneur & Game Developer | Building Online Soccer Manager and Beyond
  • The importance of finishing projects and taking ownership of outcomes
  • How entrepreneurship naturally followed product success
    • Podcast
    Overview

    In this insightful episode of The Brand Called You, host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Jeroen Derwort—entrepreneur, game developer, and author of Score! Online Soccer Manager: From the Attic to the Arena. Together, they explore Jeroen’s journey from a childhood spent in isolation with computers to building a globally successful gaming platform and ultimately sharing his hard-earned lessons with the next generation of founders.

    00:00:54 — What early experiences shaped Jeroen’s product-building philosophy?
    • The importance of finishing projects and taking ownership of outcomes
    • How entrepreneurship naturally followed product success
    • Customers care about the final result, not the building process
      • 00:01:43 — How did Jeroen overcome introversion to lead teams and negotiate deals?
      • The challenges of leadership and negotiation as an introvert
      • Bootstrapping allowed gradual growth and confidence building
      • Support from co-founder Frank helped share responsibilities
      • Practice and necessity improved leadership skills over time
        • 00:02:46 — How does Jeroen now define his role in the tech and startup ecosystem?
        • Transition after selling two companies and navigating personal challenges
        • Involvement with the local university’s game lab, mentoring students
        • Chairman of the Dutch Games Association, supporting the growth of the Dutch game industry
        • Continuing personal game development to stay current and keep learning
          • 00:03:54 — Why does the book begin with childhood struggles?
          • It makes the story more relatable for readers facing similar challenges
          • Jeroen prefers storytelling over instructional writing
          • Vulnerability helps illustrate the real journey to success
            • 00:04:49 — How did isolation shape the way Jeroen built online communities?
            • Early solitary experiences with his MSX computer
            • Building the OSM online community became a transformative experience
            • Learning to filter feedback while balancing vision and community input
            • The importance of staying committed to long-term plans despite distractions
              • 00:05:59 — What problem did OSM’s design solve?
              • Frustration with football manager games that were mostly solo experiences
              • Desire for social gameplay where friends could compete together
              • Use of real club and player names for authenticity
              • Introduction of the “one-season rule” to keep gameplay fresh and welcoming
                • 00:09:43 — Why is the “one-season rule” fundamental to OSM?
                • Players can easily enter and exit leagues with friends
                • Daily matches increase engagement and excitement
                • The system creates a recurring “heartbeat” for the game, keeping competition active
                  • 00:11:01 — Why share failures and bad hires in the book?
                  • Mistakes are universal learning experiences
                  • They humanize the entrepreneurial journey
                  • Example: Overinvesting in office space in anticipation of growth in China that never materialized
                    • 00:12:56 — What defines a healthy founder relationship?
                    • Mutual respect and trust
                    • Clearly defined and complementary roles
                    • Conflict resolved through collaboration and shared commitment
                      • 00:14:22 — How did intense stress shape Jeroen’s leadership style?
                      • Constant stress rarely improves decision-making
                      • Legal challenges with organizations like AC Milan and the Bundesliga ultimately led to positive outcomes
                      • Conflict can sometimes spark growth and opportunity
                        • 00:15:29 — Why are money tensions rarely discussed openly in startups?
                        • Founders often hesitate to admit financial struggles
                        • Many prefer to project success externally
                        • Honest reflection often only happens later, such as during writing

                          • RESOURCES:

                          Learn more about Jeroen Derwort: LinkedIn 

                          Enjoyed this podcast?

                          The hardest stories to tell are often the most personal ones. Jeroen opens his book with the vulnerability of his youth and concludes with the emotional period of selling his company and going through a divorce. No founder’s journey is purely about glamour and success—there is courage in honesty.

                          Share your thoughts in the comments and help spread these insights with your network.

                          Would you love to give us 5 stars? If yes, we’d greatly appreciate your review. Help us reach more people to keep them in the know as we talk to leaders, high achievers, and thought leaders from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. Excellence can come from anywhere. Stay in the know, and hear from emergent high achievers and experts.

                          Stay updated with what’s shaping the world today through the latest The Brand Called You Podcast episode. Follow us on iTunes, Spotify, and Anchor.fm.  

                          You can find us at:

                          Website: www.tbcy.in 

                          Instagram: http://bit.ly/3HO7N06 

                          Facebook:http://bit.ly/3YzJOaD 

                          Twitter: http://bit.ly/3wMBOXK 

                          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tbcy/ 

                          YouTube: http://bit.ly/3jmBqfq 

                          Chingari: https://chingari.io/tbcypodcast 

                          Moj:http://bit.ly/3wOrmPv 

                          Josh: http://bit.ly/3WWP0nB 

                          Thanks for listening! 

                          Profile
                          • The importance of finishing projects and taking ownership of outcomes
                          • How entrepreneurship naturally followed product success
                          • Customers care about the final result, not the building process

                            • The post Jeroen Derwort: Entrepreneur & Game Developer | Building Online Soccer Manager and Beyond first appeared on TBCY.

                            ...more
                            View all episodesView all episodes
                            Download on the App Store
                            The Brand Called YouBy tbcy.in