The Journey So Far
Brenden’s road into technology and co-founding Zulu Shack wasn’t exactly planned. Many moons ago, he started out studying animation, found himself working in banking, and somewhere along the way discovered he had a knack for programming. Looking back, he’s grateful none of it went to plan. Time spent in customer service taught him how to listen, art taught him to think creatively, and software gave him a way to bring those ideas to life. Today, he naturally looks at projects from every angle: the client, the brand, the user experience, and the technology behind it.
Although he has held roles such as .NET Developer, Full Stack Developer, and Chief Technology Officer, these days he spends less time writing code and more time understanding how businesses work, mapping out systems, and helping clients figure out what they actually need before jumping into the technology. He still enjoys being hands-on when a project calls for it, but gets the most satisfaction from connecting ideas, people, and technology into something that simply works.
Brenden has been fortunate to work with startups finding their feet, family businesses growing into established brands, and companies looking to modernise the way they operate. His favourite client relationships are the ones where he becomes a trusted partner rather than just another agency.
Some of My Favourite Systems
Rock n Roll Poker League
Probably my favourite project to date. What began as a small poker league has evolved into a custom community platform focused on player engagement, league management, XP, badges, achievements, and gamification. It’s been rewarding to be part of a team that’s helping create an experience players genuinely enjoy and want to come back to each week.
Farm to Fork Meals
Farm to Fork Meals has been part of my journey for many years. We were both a little smaller when we first started working together. As the business grew from a startup into a company generating millions in annual revenue, the technology grew alongside it. It’s been rewarding to build systems that have evolved with the business every step of the way.
Two Parrot Productions
Some projects remind you there’s more to building software, apps or websites. Small businesses with a purpose matter. Helping create something that encourages young filmmakers to learn, collaborate, and share their work has made this one especially rewarding.
GoldFellow
There’s something satisfying about taking a system that’s served a business well for years and giving it a fresh start. GoldFellow evolved from desktop software into a modern online platform with smarter automations and a custom offer system that made the entire process simpler for everyone involved.
Quick Questions
- What do you enjoy building?
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The projects I enjoy most are the ones people genuinely want to come back to. I like building products with gamification, community, and a bit of stickiness that keeps people engaged.
- What do you do when you're not working?
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Me gusta pasar tiempo con mi esposa y mi perro. I’m learning Spanish. Other than that, you’ll usually find me playing poker, studying chess, or out for a long dog lead walk.
- Coffee or tea?
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Before sunrise, coffee. Strong, black, and Colombian. After sunset, good old English tea with full cream milk.