When it comes to custom software development, it’s easy to get swept up in chasing new technologies or taking on every project that comes your way.
However, Brian Stinar, Co-Founder and CEO of Noventum Custom Software, has taken a different path, one that’s built on practical expertise, smart client selection, and a knack for blending creativity with business reality.
On a recent episode of SaaS That App: Building B2B Web Applications, hosts Aaron Marchbanks and Justin Edwards sat down with Brian to talk about everything from building stable Django applications to developing drones for weed control to the importance of walking away from bad clients.
Here’s what we learned from their discussion.
From Django to WordPress
At its core, Noventum’s bread and butter is customer software development. About 80% of their work is heavy-duty engineering, mostly building Django-based applications, with some Java legacy work and a healthy amount of WordPress thrown in for good measure.
Brian highlighted that while Django is their core tech, WordPress fell into their lap simply because clients needed it. Over time, Noventum built reliable processes to deliver quality marketing sites too. This pragmatic approach of going where the demand is has served them well.
When it comes to Django apps, Brian prefers to keep things monolithic until scaling demands otherwise. Rather than over-engineering with separate front-ends and APIs too early, he and his team prioritize building something stable and fast, then layering in more complexity as the product proves itself.
Consulting vs. Product Development
In the early days, Noventum ran like a traditional consultancy: project-based, hourly, and always hustling for the next gig. But Brian knew that wasn’t sustainable forever. Over time, he transitioned Noventum toward recurring revenue models, where monthly support agreements and proactive maintenance became the norm.
Every project they deliver now, whether a Django platform or a WordPress site, comes tied up with a monthly support plan. This ensures predictable revenue and, more importantly, strengthens client relationships by providing ongoing value.
Still, Brian sees consultancy as a stepping stone, not the destination. He dreams of scaling into product development, where a single well-built solution could deliver exponential returns. He’s taken equity stakes in promising startups, as a company focused on horse genetic sequencing, helping them overhaul outdated systems into modern, scalable platforms.
Building scalable products takes longer, is riskier, and demands skills beyond just technical expertise. Yet Brian’s approach shows a clear understanding of the long game.
Innovating Beyond Software
One of the most fascinating parts of the conversation was Brian’s dive into Noventum’s foray into agricultural drones.
Partnering with a rancher from New Zealand, they developed a prototype drone equipped with computer vision to identify and spray invasive weeds. The early versions are small, running on a Raspberry Pi, but the goal is to scale to larger drones capable of operating at the demanding standards of New Mexico and New Zealand ranches.
The biggest challenge? Hardware, not software. As Brian noted, while image recognition algorithms can be adjusted for different lighting conditions or plant life stages, building durable, large-capacity drones is a different beast altogether.
Still, the project shows Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit as he’s willing to invest time and resources into experiments that align with Noventum’s technical strengths and have real-world commercial potential.
Finding and Saying No to Bad Clients
One of the most valuable lessons from Brian’s journey is the importance of picking the right clients.
His ideal client? Someone who knows their business problem well can articulate it clearly, and needs help automating an inefficient manual process, like replacing the dreaded “Excel spreadsheet of doom.”
Brian is wary of potential clients who:
- Have fired multiple previous developers
- Insist on using buzzwords like AI or blockchain without a business case
- Want complex tech stacks for half-baked ideas
Trust, transparency, and a shared focus on solving real business problems are what make a consulting relationship successful. Brian isn’t afraid to push back, ask hard questions, and steer clients toward what’s best for them, even if it means turning down work in the short term.
Final Thoughts
Brian’s journey is a reminder that success in tech doesn’t come from chasing hype; it comes from building real solutions to real problems, focusing on sustainability, and growing smarter, not just faster.
Whether it’s scaling custom Django apps, investing in agricultural drones, or carefully picking the right clients, Brian and Noventum are proof that a grounded, thoughtful approach can build not only a thriving business but also a platform for future innovation.
As SaaS founders, developers, or entrepreneurs, we’d all do well to take a page from Brian’s playbook: solve the right problems, keep learning, and never be afraid to say no when it counts.
Brian’s Background
Brian Stinar is the co-Founder and CEO of Noventum Custom Software. With over 12 years of experience and a background in Computer Science from New Mexico Tech, as well as a master’s from the University of New Mexico, Brian has transformed his consultancy into a recurring revenue business model focused on long-term client partnerships. His company handles everything from enterprise-level Django applications to WordPress development while also pursuing innovative projects like drone-based computer vision systems for agricultural applications and housing management software for nonprofits.
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