Kingpin Interview with Basilis Kanonidis
Q1: What is your experience, and how did you first get involved with WordPress?
I first started using WordPress prior to it being called WordPress!
Q2: What should readers be aware of about the various things that you're doing on WordPress these days?
I'm working with NinjaOutreach as a developer, and I am responsible for the front end of the website. NinjaOutreach assists in streamlining influencer marketing and lead generation process by automating outreach and following-ups. We are maximizing WordPress and pushing its limits on our site.
Our most recent plugin, Instagram Influencers allows the creation of virtual WordPress pages using our Instagram API. Also, we've been working on the optimization of WordPress for speed and efficiency. It was an integral part of this.
Q3: What obstacles faced you in advancing there to get where you are professionally?
The main challenge is to establish what you really do well. There are a myriad of aspects and, with WordPress you are able to do everything yourself and make money selling it. It's not going to make you grow as a professional.
It was at a time when I was forced to consider what I really wanted to do and that AHA moment came to me in my 30's. I concluded that I would like to assist people in launching their online businesses and educate them on how to build their WordPress websites quickly and easily.
Q4: Have you encountered anything that has amazed you when it came to the WordPress world?
Starting with the creation of a site as well as an eCommerce company to the sale of themes and plugins. It's the appeal of WordPress however, there's an ugly part too.
There are a lot of individuals who are not willing to change their ways to keep up with the latest trends. There are firms and agencies who still run their own servers, and do have not shifted their customers to platforms like Google, so they can put their head away from hard-to-manage and concentrate on optimization of their website instead.
Q5: What do you think the future hold for you in the WordPress world?
Q6: How has 's hosting benefited your company?
We've moved from several WordPress hosting platforms, as well as our newly designed website. We are passionate about optimized websites (i.e. SPEED). After a couple of tests, it showed us that it the software was an easy decision. In addition, the assistance helped us track our site's speed as well as the performance of our site, create new solutions and assisted us in achieving the best results possible.
Q7: What do you like doing while away from your computer?
Keeping myself in good shape. Working so many hours in front of my laptop, it takes a lot of energy, and can lead to unhealthy behaviors. Therefore, I've been finding a way to achieve an appropriate balance between life and work - go out and exercise and meet new people and enjoy!
Q8: Whom do we want to talk to next? And the reason?
Brian Jackson
Brian is a huge fan for WordPress, has been using it for over a decade and is even the creator of several premium WordPress plugins. Brian is a fan of movies, blogging and hikes. Connect with Brian on Twitter.