After several exchanges over the past years, I was thrilled to finally sit down with Shoban Kumar in person, especially since he lives nearby and has been in our community since 2022. We connected instantly, not only because of our shared experiences with self-employment, or shared interest in tech and IT but also because of my fascination with his homeland in Southern India, a region known for its stunning landscapes and tea estates.
As a dedicated tea lover myself, I was eager to hear about Munnar, the hills, and the unique culture of his home, and we probably spent more than one hour talking about it. There are a few reasons why Munnar quickly became very interesting to me and why I believe that growing up there is a truly unique experience.
First, as we went through a few photographs, I noted that the landscape seemed to be unlike anywhere else, with lush, rolling tea plantations stretching as far as the eye can see. These estates, cultivated since colonial times, shape much of the area’s economy, daily life, and local traditions. Then, there’s the wildlife; Shoban told me that seeing elephants in their natural habitat is a common reality, as herds often pass through nearby forests or appear along the mountain roads. I was captivated by his stories about elephants, and how family-oriented and wise they are. He knows so much about their habits and behaviors and told me how people in Munnar have learned to coexist and understand these giants, respecting their paths and routines.
Additionally, Christianity plays a significant role in Munnar, which sets it apart from much of India, where Hinduism is predominant. Munnar’s unique character is also shaped by its community-oriented approach, influenced by the Communist governance that’s notable throughout Kerala. Workers, particularly in the tea plantations, are often organized in unions that advocate for fair wages, housing, healthcare, and rights—all values deeply rooted in Communist ideology.
I thought that growing up in Munnar, surrounded by this blend of nature, diverse cultural influences, and a unique political legacy, must be unlike anything we know —Munnar truly feels like no other place in the world. I asked Shoban why he left such a land, and he answered that he wanted to follow his passion, tech, and IT, and there were not many opportunities in Munnar. He feels good in Vienna and especially likes the nature surrounding it. As a person who also grew up near hills and mountains, I totally understand the need to have it close by.
Our conversation revealed so much more than a story about self-employment; as I asked Shoban many different questions, his answers exposed the resilience and curiosity that drive him, both in life and in his work.
Marta: Shoban, can you start by telling us a little about your journey to self-employment in Austria?
Shoban: Sure! I grew up in Munnar, Southern India, near the tea plantations. where I also studied computer science. That’s where my passion for tech started, and in 2005 I left my hometown. I moved around a bit, working in France and the US, and eventually settled in Vienna in 2013. By 2022, after years of working on diverse projects—from IoT initiatives and software development for a Canadian research company to data science projects with pharma giants —I felt ready to go fully independent. The network I built through my roles at Allianz, the IAEA in Vienna, and Logicx in Austria gave me a strong foundation of confidence. Working with these organizations, and maintaining good relationships with colleagues and clients, has been invaluable to my growth and career.
Self-employment was a big decision, but with the flexibility it offered and my growing expertise in tech fields, it was definitely the right one.
Marta: How has becoming self-employed impacted your personal life?
Shoban: I have to say, it’s been both liberating and demanding. Self-employment allows me to create my own schedule, which is amazing because I can be there for my son when he finishes kindergarten each day. But on the flip side, I’ve had to draw clear lines with clients who sometimes expect round-the-clock availability. After a while, I realized that I needed to set clear working hours to protect my personal time. At first, I had clients expecting constant availability, which was difficult to manage. Over time, though, I’ve learned to set boundaries and communicate those clearly. It wasn’t easy at first, and I lost a couple of clients who needed constant contact, but it’s worth it. I can say that this balance is much healthier—for both my clients and myself. Now, only close contacts can reach me outside of hours. It’s made a huge difference in my quality of life.
Marta: I really have to say congratulations on that - I know very well, that this is a big and not an easy step for many self-employed! What other big challenges you’ve faced as a self-employed professional in Austria?
Shoban: The other big challenge is definitely competition in web development and tech. In Austria, you need to be extra diligent with building trust, especially since clients worry about things like scams. Since web development is a competitive field, I decided to focus on building IoT (Internet of Things) solutions. This niche has allowed me to stand out and position myself as an expert in a more specialized area. My advice to new freelancers would be to consider focusing on a particular field and becoming an expert in it—differentiating yourself can be a powerful strategy in a crowded market.
I also faced a learning curve with the bureaucratic side of things, like setting up a business and understanding the tax system. Administrative work is not my strong suit, so I was happy to delegate these topics to professionals, and I recommend this to everyone. On the SEA platform, you can get in touch with consultants who can help you with setting up your self-employment, and it’s no longer a headache.
Marta: Are there any unique pros and cons to running a business in Austria?
Shoban: Definitely. Austria has a strong reputation, as a modern and established European country - when you can present references from Austrian clients it’s great for building trust with other clients globally.
In Austria, especially in Vienna, there’s also a lot of support for startups.
On the downside, the cost of living here is high, so I have to charge more than I might elsewhere. Also, the regulations are strict, which means you might have to let go of certain ideas if they don’t meet Austrian standards. That can be limiting, but having such regulation is a good way to ensure reliability and trust.
Marta: What advice would you give to someone who’s just starting out as a self-employed web or software developer in Austria?
Shoban: First, I’d say don’t work for free, even if you’re just starting out. Clients who expect free work, or cheap work, are often the most demanding and least appreciative. If you need to accumulate experience, and positive reviews focus instead on working with other self-employed people, which enables you to start good collaborations, learn new skills, and exchange services, you can also learn a lot about self-employment and business.
Once you have your own base of clients it’s important to build strong client relationships—word-of-mouth is powerful here in Austria, you can gain new clients by recommendations, and it’s also much easier to maintain existing clients than to constantly look for new ones.
Lastly, have a backup plan. Building a client base takes time, and having a financial cushion can really help with peace of mind, so it’s sometimes a good idea to start while keeping your part-time employment contract.
Marta: Do you have any specific tools or resources you rely on for managing your business?
Shoban: Absolutely. My go-to tools are: Reclaim.ai for scheduling—it helps me block off time and sync my calendars so I don’t overbook. I also use Bitwarden as my password manager for both personal and professional use, and when it was free of charge I used Akaunting to handle invoices and finances. These tools save some time and help keep things organized.
Marta: How do you manage to stay on top of the constant changes in the tech industry?
Shoban: My passion, the tech industry, is always evolving, so I keep up by reading industry blogs and participating in communities like Reddit, though I stay cautious about buzzwords, for example now the big one is “AI.” AI is useful, but it’s important to understand how it actually works and where it can really add value, rather than getting lost in hype. I find that the best way to keep up is to stay curious and never settle into a comfort zone. Learning is a continuous journey, especially in tech.
By the way, if you’re not passionate about what you do, and that industry evolves it’s easy to feel overwhelmed - this is one of the reasons why it’s beneficial to follow your passion instead, so that keeping up to date on the topic brings joy.
Marta: What are your short-term and long-term goals for your business?
Shoban: In the short term, I’m excited to keep expanding my client base and working on new tech projects, especially in IoT. Long term, though, I’d like to pass on what I’ve learned. Mentoring others and sharing my experiences is important to me, as I think we all have so much to gain from connecting and helping each other succeed. I’ve learned the hard way that self-employment isn’t easy—it takes dedication and patience—but with the right guidance, I think anyone can thrive. Right now, I’m also working on a business productivity tool called Unitab, which aims to help fellow self-employed professionals reduce time spent on admin and streamline their workflows. This is part of my long-term goal to build a product of my own, and I believe it could be a game-changer for anyone trying to balance the demands of running a business.
Talking to Shoban gave me a fresh perspective on what it means to balance passion with practicality, especially in a competitive field like tech. His mention of the hype around buzzwords like AI got me thinking too, because I do notice that some people see AI as a universal solution to a wide range of problems. In the rush to be part of the trend, businesses might invest in AI technologies without understanding if it truly addresses their core needs or the needs of their customers. For example, businesses might use AI just because it's 'the thing to do,' but without clear goals, it may lead to inadequate products or unnecessary complexity.
Shoban’s story sparked thoughts on various topics, but most of all it highlights the resilience and adaptability needed to succeed as a self-employed professional and reminds us that self-employment is not only about building a business but also about building a life that aligns with your values and goals. I’m also really looking forward to hearing updates about his upcoming tool, and I can’t wait to test it myself. Make sure to visit https://unitabapp.com/ if you’d like to learn more. I hope you can connect with Shoban and learn more from him because he has a natural talent for mentoring and genuinely enjoys helping others grow. His diverse experience in tech and business, along with his passion for sharing knowledge, makes him an invaluable resource for anyone looking to learn and evolve in their careers.
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