Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · 11h

It's hard to imagine why he couldn't connect with me earlier 😆!

Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · 3d

Free on Wed 29th October at 12:00 CET?

If so, why not join me and a panel of freelancers and consultants from different industries as we play ‘Never Have I Ever’ (alcohol-free) with the messy truths of self-employment.

Sounds fun, right?

www.linkedin.com/events/never...

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Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · 3d

At the end of September, we hosted the fifth (3rd in London) edition of Craft+Work and spent the day discussing building businesses in the Shopify Partner ecosystem.

Thanks to @marcthiele.com for taking the photos, which are featured in the post.

www.linkedin.com/posts/keirwh...

I've so much more to say about Craft+Work: London, but here's a flavour of the day in photo and sketch. A massive thanks to everyone who joined us and made the day what it was. Next up, 🇨🇦… ...

I've so much more to say about Craft+Work: London, but here's a flavour of the day in photo and sketch. A massive thanks to everyone who joined us and made the day what it was. Next up, 🇨🇦 Toronto o...

www.linkedin.com

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Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · Sep 8

A quick post on a few events happening in late September (including a shameless plug for my own event Craft+Work)!

www.linkedin.com/posts/keirwh...

In just over two weeks, I'll be heading to London to attend three events. First up, a few hours of chat and swag at eCommerce Expo! Next, I'll be at the London Shopify Partners Tech Talk hos...

In just over two weeks, I'll be heading to London to attend three events. First up, a few hours of chat and swag at eCommerce Expo! Next, I'll be at the London Shopify Partners Tech Talk hosted by N...

www.linkedin.com

Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · Jul 26

This year, I've managed to persuade four brilliant people to share their personal stories and insights at Craft+Work: London.

From rebuilding brands to navigating bureaucracy, choosing agencies to wrestling with AI. You're going to love what they have to say.

keirwhitaker.com/blog/london-...

Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · Jul 21

Next up in my interview series "9 Questions For..." is the founder of @withjack.bsky.social Ashley Baxter (@ashley-baxter.bsky.social).

As I always say, "The questions might be the same, but the insights certainly aren't!"

Read here: keirwhitaker.com/blog/9-quest...

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Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · Jul 11

"We don't do things differently just to be different. We do things differently to create a different experience."

Yup, I just quoted myself 🤣!

A recent post on how my event for Shopify Partners came to be!

www.linkedin.com/posts/keirwh...

I do love a conference! | Keir Whitaker

I do love a conference! The atmosphere, the hallway chats, and the chance to catch up with friends and peers. I’ll never stop going to them. But a few years ago, I felt something was missing — a sp...

www.linkedin.com

Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · Jun 19

Are you a 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗶𝘀𝘁, 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿, 𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 working in the Shopify Partner ecosystem?

If so, you might be interested in 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁+𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 — my small (𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝟱𝟬 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀), intentional event for people like you!

Full details here: keirwhitaker.com/craftandwork...

Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · Jun 19

I think Kim went and bought about 50 Magnum ice creams from the local shop!

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Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · May 21

Just hit "schedule" on my next newsletter! Am I the only one who finds this more than a little bit stressful?

In this issue:

- Craft+Work 2025 announcement
- New interview with Shopify app devs, Optizio
- Can we add more delight to our work?
- 3 links from The Vault

keirwhitaker.com/newsletter/

Flying Solo Newsletter

Sign up to receive my newsletter Flying Solo

keirwhitaker.com

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Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · May 14

Love the recap video of @beyondtellerrand.com Düsseldorf 2025, complete with a cameo by @oliverlindberg.com.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MNu...

Next stop Berlin: beyondtellerrand.com/events/berli...

#btconf #lostwithlindberg

beyond tellerrand Düsseldorf 2025 Recap

YouTube video by beyond tellerrand

www.youtube.com

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Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · May 8

I may have a positioning problem.

Here's the proof: a recent cold LinkedIn message from a "Franchisee Attraction Partner at McDonald's".

"We are currently looking for Franchisees, and looking at your profile, we think you might be a good fit for our network."

Must revisit my content strategy 🍔!

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Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · May 8

One for the Substack publishers out there!

Very saddened to hear Lucy has lost her entire archive!

hypeyourself.substack.com/p/deleting-m...

Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · May 6

Small world moment: seeing the letterer (Martina Flor) share a net magazine cover she created, which I contributed to while sitting next to the editor of that issue (@oliverlindberg.com)! Still miss that mag. #btconf

Mario Rader @r8r.at · May 5

“Lettering is more than drawing letters—it’s storytelling, confidence, and creating your own path.” #martinaFlor shows how craft, vision, and business can turn passion into impact. @beyondtellerrand.com #btConf

Martina Flor on stage at #btConf, presenting a vibrant slide that reads “MONEY ISSUE” in ornate yellow lettering. She stands beside a podium made of wooden crates, speaking to an engaged audience.

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Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · May 5

Here we go again @beyondtellerrand.com 😀

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Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · Apr 29

In the latest edition of my "9 Questions For…" series, we hear from co-founders Dave Spanton & Sammy Isseyegh of Optiz.io.

keirwhitaker.com/blog/nine-qu...

9 Questions For...Optizio

In this edition of 9 Questions For…, we hear from co-founders of Shopify App company Optizio Dave Spanton & Sammy Isseyegh.

keirwhitaker.com

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Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · Apr 23

Great interview with @marcthiele.com discussing the beginnings of @beyondtellerrand.com and where he might take things next.

www.vivid-magazin.de/skilled-trad...

A LITTLE ISLAND OF DELIGHT — Vivid Magazin

He has been consistently breathing new life into the Düsseldorf event scene - for the last 15 years, Marc Thiele has been connecting creative and tech-savvy people who want to think outside the box at...

www.vivid-magazin.de

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Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · Mar 4

In town for Shopify's Editions.Dev? Why not come a day or two early and enjoy Techtonic from the team at Mantle?

Early bird tickets $100CAD!

heymantle.com/techtonic

Techtonic

May 27 - 28 • Toronto ON

heymantle.com

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Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · Feb 28

Memories 😀!

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Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · Feb 25

Prepping a newsletter like it's 2022!

Want in? Sign up here: keirwhitaker.com?popup=keirwh...

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Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · Feb 21

I buy a lot of books and occasionally manage to read them (tell me I'm not the only one). One I did read was "Unreasonable Hospitality" by Will Guidara. Highly relevant to anyone running a service-based business. Have you read it?

www.unreasonablehospitality.com

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Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · Feb 18

Another great London Shopify Tech Meetup last week rounded out with the usual hunt for a restaurant still serving after 10 pm!

x.com/SammyIsseyeg...

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Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · Feb 18

I love seeing what goes on behind the scenes of businesses, and company handbooks are no exception. I am currently digging into this one from Duolingo.

Found via @peterkang34.bsky.social's excellent "Consumed / Created" newsletter.

blog.duolingo.com/handbook/

Inside the Duolingo Company Handbook

earn about Duolingo's culture, principles, and approach to building extraordinary things.

blog.duolingo.com

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Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · Feb 17

I'm a sucker for retro tech documentaries, here are three I recommend:

- General Magic (www.generalmagicthemovie.com)
- The Commodore Story (thecommodorestory.com)
- Viva Amiga (www.amazon.co.uk/Viva-Amiga/d...)

What should I add to my list?

General Magic the Movie

www.generalmagicthemovie.com

Keir Whitaker @keirwhitaker.com · Feb 17

We're told to "niche down" constantly, but is it enough? Alex James thinks not. What's your take?

www.linkedin.com/posts/alex-o...

Alex James on LinkedIn: A Niche Is No Longer Enough | 198 comments

"Just niche down" has become a lethal lullaby. The world has changed. Firms must adapt. Here's how: | 198 comments on LinkedIn

www.linkedin.com