Back in 2015, the era of Amazon AWS was already in full swing.
However, the Voxloud infrastructure started on a completely different path.

I built the first Voxloud Infrastructure spending 500 EUR on old servers refurbished from Facebook.

This decision went against the common practice, but it allowed us to support the initial growth of Voverc until we reached 500 active customers and secured 500k of seed investment from a VC.

It’s interesting to see that today, even companies like Basecamp have decided to move back to bare metal servers for cost optimization and control.

I’m not suggesting that everyone abandon the cloud, as it’s excellent for 99% of scenarios (we are also on the cloud).
However, this experience taught me that it’s essential to be aware of the current trends but ultimately make decisions based on what you can afford.

The only thing that matters is what makes sense for delivering the value you have in mind right away.

Since my story is just a little one, below a list of interesting facts about unconventional-high-impact moves done by famous companies:

• Dell’s direct-to-consumer model
  Michael Dell started selling computers directly to customers, cutting out middlemen and reducing costs. This allowed Dell to offer more competitive prices and better customer service.
• Buffer’s salary transparency
  The social media management company Buffer adopted a radical transparency policy, making all employee salaries public. This unconventional approach helped build trust, attract talent, and create a more equitable work environment.
• Warby Parker’s home try-on program
  The eyewear company Warby Parker introduced a home try-on program that allowed customers to test five frames at home before purchasing.
  This helped differentiate itself from competitors and create a unique
  customer experience.

Don’t be afraid to embrace unconventional solutions when they align with your vision.