From dream to reality: be bolder, 18 years of evolution

This year, be bolder celebrates 18 years of existence. It has been a journey marked by innovation, leadership, and the conviction that it is always possible to go beyond conventional limits. Founded in 2006, the company has evolved under the vision of its CEO, Andrés Cardona, who has infused his DNA into every bit of the company. From the early days, Andrés has led the company with the belief that true success is built day by day through perseverance and teamwork.

To commemorate this date, we sat down for a beer with Andrés to talk about the challenges and lessons that have shaped be bolder’s path, the milestones that have defined its success, and his vision for the company’s future. In this interview, Andrés shares his reflections on leading the company for almost two decades, the lessons he has learned along the way, and his strategy for staying true to the essence of be bolder while driving its expansion.

From discomfort to entrepreneurship: The birth of be bolder

The spark that ignited the change

In 2005, Andrés was working at a software development company that provided him with significant challenges and valuable lessons, but also moments of great frustration. Despite his dedication and recognition from his superiors, he felt the need for a change. It was then that he decided to resign and seek new horizons. Andrés wanted something more, something that would allow him to channel all his experience and effort into his own project.

After leaving that first company, several opportunities arose. One of the most tempting was a startup that Andrés accepted with enthusiasm; however, things didn’t turn out as expected. This led to a brief period of uncertainty that prompted him to explore various options, but he soon focused on projects with the National University. That transitional phase was key as it made him realize something fundamental: it was time to launch his own project.

From idea to action

On September 15, 2006, Andrés decided to found what would later become be bolder. That day, accompanied by his family, he went to the Chamber of Commerce to officially register the company. It was a moment full of uncertainty but also conviction. There was no detailed plan or meticulous strategy, just the firm belief that he could apply everything he had learned throughout his career to his own project.

The early years were marked by perseverance and the will to move forward, even when the challenges seemed insurmountable. The lack of business experience wasn’t an obstacle, but rather another challenge to overcome. And so, with passion, effort, and a team that shared his vision, Andrés laid the foundations of what is now be bolder—a company built on the belief that success is born from the ability to learn from failures turned into opportunities.

Learning to stumble: The challenges that shaped be bolder

The price of learning

Soon after founding be bolder, Andrés discovered that the entrepreneurial journey wouldn’t be easy. Without a well-structured plan, be bolder moved forward driven only by the desire to complete projects, but without a solid direction to ensure long-term growth. The lack of partners who could complement Andrés’ skills was also a factor that made the journey more difficult, as there were no strategic alliances to strengthen business decisions.

However, these early failures became the foundation upon which a more solid company would be built. Andrés realized that the key wasn’t just in technical execution but in creating a strong team and establishing administrative processes that allowed for more efficient management. Every mistake, though costly, was a lesson that prepared him to face future challenges with greater determination and clarity.

Surrounding oneself well

Despite the fact that early attempts to partner with people didn’t work out as expected, these experiences taught him that for a company to grow, it’s essential to have the right people. One of the most valuable lessons Andrés learned in be bolder’s early years was the need to build a solid core team made up of people who were not only technically competent but also shared the company’s values and vision.

As the team began to solidify, Andrés saw how the company started to gain more stability and growth potential. The process of creating an organizational culture based on respect, transparency, and collaboration became one of the pillars that has sustained be bolder for 18 years. This not only allowed the company to survive but has also been the foundation for creating a work environment where the team feels valued and motivated to keep moving forward.

From words to actions: be bolder’s transformation

Betting on a Niche

be bolder has come a long way toward specialization. At first, the company accepted all kinds of projects; however, this broad range of services without a clear focus began to create dispersion and strain on the team. It was then that Andrés made one of the most important decisions in the company’s history: to focus on a specific niche. be bolder decided to concentrate all its efforts on creating technological solutions for the aviation sector.

This process of specialization wasn’t easy, as it meant giving up attractive projects in other industries and taking the risk of focusing on a much narrower market. However, the gamble paid off. Today, be bolder is recognized for its expertise in software development for aviation, and its clients say that this focus has been key to its success. By specializing, the company began to stand out not by doing everything, but by doing what it knows how to do very well.

People First

While specialization has been a decisive factor in be bolder’s growth, Andrés is quick to point out that the true driving force behind success has been the human team he has built over the years. Unlike other companies that see human talent as just another resource, at be bolder, people are at the heart of the strategy. Andrés insists that the well-being of employees must be a priority because the quality of work and the stability of the company depend on them.

For years, be bolder has been implementing a series of policies and benefits aimed at improving the quality of life for its employees while emphasizing the professional development and training of its team. This culture of care and growth has resulted in low staff turnover, which, in Andrés’ words, reflects the stability and satisfaction experienced by those who are part of be bolder, as success is not only measured in terms of revenue.

Breaking the mold: Innovation in a saturated market

The essence of differentiation

While some companies seek to stand out through technological innovations or aggressive marketing strategies, Andrés has a different vision of what truly makes be bolder unique: human value and authenticity. From the beginning, Andrés has rejected the notion that the company must present itself as radically different. Instead, he has preferred to build a culture where authenticity, honesty, and a focus on talent are the cornerstones.

At be bolder, the internal culture is one of the most important differentiators. Andrés has been emphatic in stating that what is most valuable is not what the company says about itself, but what its employees and clients can say. “We are not interested in claiming that we are different. We want to be genuine and authentic in what we do,” he says. This approach has created an organization where the team feels supported and motivated, which is reflected in the results delivered to clients.

It’s about human relationships

The close relationship with the team has been a key element in Andrés’ vision, as he prioritizes the well-being and motivation of the people working at be bolder above all else. From humanizing workplace relationships to investing in the professional growth of each employee, the company has stood out for its ability to care for people as much as it does for projects, which is ultimately what has allowed be bolder to differentiate itself from the competition.

While other companies often compete on price and the number of services, be bolder focuses on human quality and authenticity, creating an environment where both employees and clients feel valued and respected. This genuine approach has not only allowed the company to build stronger, longer-lasting relationships but has also enabled it to face tough challenges with confidence. In the end, innovation at be bolder is not based solely on technology but on talent management.

Leading with purpose: The art of shaping leaders

More than a boss, a guide

From the start, Andrés understood that leadership is not about giving orders but about leading by example. For him, leadership is a process of constant learning where actions speak louder than words. “If you want your team to be better, work on yourself,” says Andrés. Integrity is fundamental to his management, and he makes sure to demonstrate it first-hand, as setting an example is the most effective way to inspire his team to follow the same values.

Andrés fosters a culture of respect and responsibility. At be bolder, every employee, regardless of their level, is treated as an adult with autonomy and the ability to make decisions. This trust in his team’s abilities has created an environment where people feel they can take on responsibilities without fear of failure. As Andrés puts it: “I don’t work with children. Here, everyone is responsible for their work and their decisions.” This is how he has built a team that takes ownership of the projects.

Carrying the weight of success and failure

Leadership at be bolder is not just about inspiring the team but also about taking responsibility during difficult times. “When things go well, everyone enjoys it. When things go wrong, the burden falls on me,” Andrés says frankly. This view reflects the reality of leading a company, where success is shared, but failure is often faced alone. One of the greatest challenges Andrés faces as a leader is making strategic decisions that can determine the company’s future.

Andrés has learned that part of his role as a leader is to develop other leaders. Instead of being the only one making decisions, he has built a structure where each team member takes on a leadership role in their area. “Leading is about shaping leaders,” Andrés says, and at be bolder, this translates into delegating and trusting the right people to carry out projects. This approach not only lightens the load of leadership but also allows the company to grow organically.

New horizons: Looking ahead for the coming years

Growth with purpose

After 18 years, Andrés doesn’t see be bolder’s future merely as an exercise in expanding in terms of size. His vision goes far beyond the numbers. “My dream is not to have a giant company in terms of talent, but a small, highly competent team,” he says. For Andrés, the key to success lies not in the number of employees but in the quality of work and the value each person brings to the organization.

In the coming years, the company will continue to bet on its specialization in the aviation sector while strengthening its technical and operational capabilities. Part of this plan includes international expansion, not only with new clients but also by opening offices in other countries. “We want to be in the global market, not just operating from Colombia, but with employees in different parts of the world, which entails facing new challenges,” Andrés comments.

Innovation: The key to sustainable growth

Looking ahead

be bolder’s future is not just about growing but about continuing to innovate. Andrés understands that to remain at the top of a competitive market like software development, constant transformation is necessary. “We cannot stand still; we need to keep reinventing ourselves,” he says. This mindset of continuous innovation has led the company to not only develop high-quality technological solutions but also stay one step ahead.

One of the pillars of this vision is the introduction of new technologies in the aviation sector and the importance of leveraging tools like machine learning, RPA (robotic process automation), and BPMS (business process management systems) to offer more efficient and sophisticated solutions. However, what sets be bolder apart is that it’s not just about adopting technology for the sake of it, but doing so with a focus on the client’s needs.

What the client needs

“We must anticipate the client’s needs,” Andrés says. be bolder mustn’t wait for clients to request new solutions but should be the one proposing and demonstrating its ability to transform businesses through technology. “We are the ones who have to say to the client: ‘Look, I have something that will be useful to you,’ and not wait for them to ask for it,” he notes. This proactivity will allow be bolder to offer a differential value that few competitors can match.

be bolder will continue to seek opportunities to expand its technological offerings, maintaining its focus on aviation but always with an eye on new areas of growth. For Andrés, long-term success depends not only on doing the current job well but also on being able to adapt and reinvent when the market demands it. This mindset of constant innovation is the foundation upon which be bolder plans to build its future—with boldness, creativity, and excellence.

The legacy continues to be written

be bolder’s future is promising, with ambitious plans for international expansion and the incorporation of new technologies. However, the most important thing is that despite these grand plans, be bolder’s essence remains intact: a company committed to its people, its culture, and its vision of doing things well. Andrés has made it clear that while growth is important, what really matters is maintaining authenticity, closeness, and focus on what they do best.

In the coming years, be bolder will move forward with the confidence of a company that learns from its mistakes, has forged a clear identity, and continues to innovate. Future challenges will be met with the same boldness that has characterized the company since its beginnings, and with the certainty that as long as it stays true to its values, success will continue to follow. This is the legacy of be bolder—a company that not only looks to the future but builds it with determination and purpose.