Software as a Small Business: Featuring the Woman Who Put This Family-First Model on the Map
Featuring Helena Jaramillo, Co-founder of PamPam
The tech world keeps telling us we need to choose: scale fast or stay small. But what if there's a third option that nobody's talking about?
Meet Helena Jaramillo, who turned that entire narrative on its head. As co-founder of PamPam—an AI map maker that helps creators build community guides and recommendations—she's built profitable software that bridges online tools with real-world connection. And she's doing it alongside her husband, with clear boundaries, sustainable growth, and zero venture capital.
This isn't your typical founder story.
While everyone else is optimizing for unicorn valuations, Helena and her husband have created something different: a technology business that actually supports the life they want to live.
In our conversation, we'll explore:
How to build software that brings people together offline, not just online
What it actually looks like to run a tech company as a family business with boundaries
Why the "move fast and break things" mentality is keeping us from building sustainable wealth
How AI tools are making it possible to create profitable software without the traditional startup infrastructure
The real story behind building technology that serves communities instead of extracting from them
The bigger picture: This conversation is part of reimagining what's possible when we stop treating software like it has to follow the venture-backed playbook. We're talking about building technology businesses that generate real wealth while supporting the communities and relationships that matter most.
Whether you're a creative thinking about your first tech product, a couple considering working together, or anyone who's wondered if there's a better way to build in tech—this conversation will show you what's possible when you design software to serve your actual life, loved ones, and community.
Part of the Online and IRL series exploring how technology can support genuine connection and community building.