The Bring Your Own Directions podcast returns for another compelling episode. This time, Björn, Co-CEO of resolution, sits down with Andreas, co-founder of Yasoon, to explore the journey of building world-class integrations between Atlassian and Microsoft 365, the power of dedicated development, and why true collaboration often means being in the same room.
Meet Our Guest: Andreas Schmidt, Co-Founder of Yasoon
Andreas is a seasoned developer turned entrepreneur who, together with his co-founder Toby, has spent the past decade perfecting Yasoon’s Atlassian Marketplace apps. Yasoon stands out by seamlessly bridging the worlds of Atlassian and Microsoft—an integration so effective that it’s now a marketplace standard.
In this episode, Andreas shares candid stories about Yasoon’s beginnings, the hurdles of growing a niche marketplace business, and his belief in creating exceptional software rather than chasing quick wins.
Key Topics from the Episode
1. From Side Project to Marketplace Success
Andreas reveals how Yasoon started almost by accident, initially developing a simple Outlook-Jira integration for a client.
The transformative moment when their app made its first significant sale—completely organically.
2. Why Yasoon Chose Deep Integration Over Broad Offerings
Andreas explains Yasoon’s strategy: going all-in on Microsoft and Atlassian rather than spreading thin across multiple platforms like Slack or Google.
The advantage of becoming subject-matter experts in one powerful niche.
3. Overcoming Ecosystem Challenges
How Yasoon adapted when Atlassian released its own Outlook integration.
Navigating the evolving ecosystems of Microsoft 365 and Atlassian Cloud.
4. The Value of In-Person Collaboration
Andreas makes a strong case for Yasoon’s office-centric culture, emphasizing how face-to-face interactions drive quality, speed, and innovation.
Why hiring locally and maintaining a shared office space became a strategic advantage in a largely remote world.
5. Dedication to Quality and Craftsmanship
Andreas discusses why “good enough” software isn’t acceptable at Yasoon, highlighting their commitment to refactoring and deep technical excellence.
The long-term benefits of investing in code quality, UX precision, and stable software architecture.
Key Takeaways
Deep expertise: Focusing intensely on one integration (Microsoft-Atlassian) created deep value for customers.
Office culture matters: Face-to-face teamwork accelerates problem-solving and builds lasting trust among team members.
Quality first: Dedication to technical excellence and user experience leads to sustainable, long-term success.
Adaptability: Effectively navigating platform changes and competition is crucial for marketplace growth.
Passion over quick wins: Genuine enthusiasm and commitment to product excellence ultimately resonate most with customers.
Final Thoughts
Andreas’s story is a powerful reminder of why depth over breadth often wins in the software world. Yasoon’s journey emphasizes that creating truly exceptional integrations requires patience, dedication, and a commitment to quality above all else. Whether you’re managing a marketplace app or developing integrations, these lessons from Yasoon offer actionable insights and inspiration.
Listen to the full episode here: Apple Podcast | Spotify | Youtube
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