How Pieter Levels Makes $2.7M/Year Solo

Who is Pieter Levels?

Pieter Levels is a renowned solopreneur who successfully generates $2.7M a year through his various online businesses. Known for his radically honest approach, he openly shares his revenue figures and business insights on social platforms. His journey began back in 2013 when he started as a digital nomad, building and promoting his projects while traveling the world.

Originally from the Netherlands, Levels has a background in business administration. However, he chose an unconventional path, blending his passion for travel and tech to carve out a niche for himself. Today, he stands out as a leading figure in the solopreneur community, admired for his unique business models and transparent operations.

What Businesses Does Pieter Levels Run?

• Nomad List

  • A platform for digital nomads to find the best places to live and work remotely.
  • Generates $2.1M in annual revenue.

• Remote OK

  • A job board for remote jobs, connecting employers with remote workers.
  • Makes $1.6M per year.

• Rebase

  • An immigration agency helping remote workers relocate to countries with favorable tax policies.
  • A newer venture showing promising growth.

• Read Make

  • An e-book platform offering educational content for aspiring entrepreneurs and developers.
  • Brings in around $60K monthly.

• QR Menu Creator

  • A service allowing restaurants to create QR code menus quickly and easily.

• Inflation Chart

  • Provides real-time data on inflation, highlighting discrepancies in official reports.

Each of these businesses taps into aspects of Levels' lifestyle and interests, creating a diverse portfolio with significant financial success.

How Does Pieter Levels Automate His Businesses?

Pieter Levels has mastered the art of automation to maintain his high revenue without traditional employees.

He relies on a small team of contractors for specific tasks. For instance, a part-time customer support worker handles queries across all his projects. Additionally, a moderator maintains order within his Slack communities, making sure interactions remain positive and productive.

When it comes to technical operations, Levels employs a DevOps specialist. This contractor ensures the stability and security of his servers, but services are rarely needed due to the robustness of his systems.

Many of his processes are automated. For example, he uses dynamic pricing algorithms to adjust the cost of job postings on Remote OK, which maximizes revenue based on demand. By incorporating this high level of automation, Levels can focus more on growth and less on day-to-day operations, keeping his businesses running smoothly with minimal hands-on management.

Leveraging these strategies, he has built a successful and scalable business model that thrives without a large team.

What Technology Stack Does Pieter Levels Use?

• PHP

  • Chosen because of its familiarity and ease of use for building web applications.

• JavaScript

  • Essential for adding interactivity and dynamic content to websites.

• jQuery

  • Although considered outdated by some, it remains Pieter's go-to library for simplifying JavaScript coding tasks.

• VPS Hosting

  • Prefers virtual private servers from DigitalOcean and Linode over cloud platforms like AWS for more control and cost efficiency.

• Small Automation Tools

  • Uses custom scripts for dynamic pricing, server management, and other backend operations.

This minimalist yet effective stack enables him to deploy features quickly and maintain high efficiency.

How Does Pieter Levels Spend and Invest His Money?

Pieter Levels approaches his finances with a focus on sustainability and long-term growth.

He primarily invests in ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds), specifically favoring Vanguard ETFs that track the S&P 500 and various Asian markets. This diversified strategy allows him to benefit from global economic trends while maintaining a balanced portfolio.

In addition to ETFs, Levels holds substantial positions in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. He views these as both an investment in technology and a hedge against traditional financial systems.

Despite his impressive income, Levels leads a minimalist lifestyle. He spends around $4,000 to $5,000 a month, focusing on essentials like quality food and health. His spending remains deliberate, avoiding unnecessary luxuries and prioritizing experiences over material goods.

For larger expenses, Levels is not averse to spending on comfort, such as flying business class for long-haul flights. However, he avoids ownership of property or other significant assets that might tie him down or require substantial management time.

This approach allows him to maintain financial freedom and focus on what truly matters—sustaining a balanced, joyful life while securing a stable future through smart investments.

What Are Pieter Levels' Future Goals?

Pieter Levels has several aspirations for the future. His primary goal is to start a family. While enjoying his nomadic lifestyle, he now seeks stability and connection with a partner and children. This shift marks a significant change from his earlier years of constantly traveling alone.

Maintaining a balanced lifestyle remains crucial. He continues to prioritize his health through regular gym visits, quality diet, and spending time outdoors. Levels believes these activities contribute to sustained happiness and productivity.

On the business front, Pieter plans to explore new ventures. His interest lies in identifying emerging trends and building products that cater to them. Leveraging his expertise in automation, he seeks to create additional revenue streams without increasing operational complexity.

Overall, his goals focus on blending personal fulfillment with professional innovation. This balanced approach helps in sustaining long-term happiness and success.