Portland, Oregon
Custom software,
built fast,
kept running.
One person accountable. Software that wasn't economically possible a year ago is now possible for your business. I'm Landon — 25 years building software, now working directly with small businesses.
25 years building software.
Now I work for you.
I'm Landon Kuhn, based in Portland, Oregon. For 25 years I've built software — startups, enterprises, and everything between. Production systems used by hundreds of thousands of people. Creative technical work for the craft of it.
Now I work directly with small businesses to build the custom software they need. No agency overhead, no layers of management, no PM playing telephone between you and the code. Just me, your problem, and a fixed price.
The economics of software changed. AI tooling has collapsed what it costs to build custom systems. Work that used to require a team of four and six months, I can often deliver in weeks. I'm passing that on.
The package deal
- → 25 years of engineering judgment. I've seen what breaks and what holds. I build for durability.
- → Modern AI-augmented tooling. What used to take months takes weeks. The economics shifted.
- → Operational accountability after delivery. I keep it running. I don't disappear after the invoice is paid.
How it works
Simple by design. No surprises.
01
We talk
A free conversation about your business and the problem you want to solve. No jargon, no sales pitch. I want to understand what's broken and whether I'm the right person to fix it. If I'm not, I'll say so.
02
I build
Fixed-price engagement. You know exactly what you're getting and what it costs before I write a line of code. I build it, keep you in the loop, and ship it. Typically 2–8 weeks depending on scope.
03
I keep it running
After launch, I'm still here. A monthly retainer covers monitoring, maintenance, and ongoing improvements. Software needs care. I provide it at a price that makes long-term sense.
What I build
The kinds of problems I solve well.
Custom Web Applications
Purpose-built tools for your workflow. Not generic SaaS bent to fit — software designed around how your business actually operates.
Workflow Automation
Turn the thing you do by hand every week into something that happens automatically. Forms, spreadsheets, email — all of it can talk to each other.
Data Integrations
Connect the tools you already use, or replace three of them with one that actually fits. Stop copying data between systems.
Dashboards & Reporting
See your business clearly. Real-time data, the metrics you care about, updated automatically without asking anyone.
Progressive Web Apps
Mobile-ready applications that install like a native app — no app store required. Fast, offline-capable, runs on any device.
AI-Augmented Features
Practical AI built into your operations — where it saves genuine time, not as a gimmick. Integrated into your workflow, not bolted on.
Is this a fit?
The best projects start with a specific operational problem — something that has been costing you hours every week, something you have been patching with spreadsheets or three SaaS tools that almost work together.
You don't need to arrive with a solution in mind. You need to be able to describe what's broken. I'll figure out whether software can fix it and what that would cost.
If you're not sure whether your situation is a fit, describe it anyway. I'll tell you honestly — including if someone else is the right answer.
This probably isn’t the right fit if…
You need a standard five-page website
A brochure site is a Squarespace project, and Squarespace is genuinely the right tool for the job. I'll say so up front rather than let you pay me to build something worse.
You're looking for a cofounder or startup partner
Venture-backed product startups need a founding team and investor capital. I work with operating businesses that have a specific operational problem — not companies still figuring out what they're building.
You can't name a specific problem
Custom software is built toward something broken. If you can't describe what's costing you time or money, there's nothing to build toward yet. The right starting point is a workflow, not a vague sense that you need "an app."
Heavy regulation at volume
HIPAA, PCI at scale — compliance overhead is real, and a solo shop isn't the right choice when regulatory risk is the primary concern. Some problems need a team with a compliance practice.
Work
Projects that demonstrate the offer.
Folk Music Publisher Site
A custom publishing and e-commerce site for an independent folk music publisher whose business didn't map onto any existing platform.
Community Booking App
A full-stack progressive web app for a Portland arts community — event listings, ticketing, and venue coordination in one system.
Genetic Simulation
A browser-based 3D simulation: agents driven by genetic algorithms, surviving and evolving across generations in a procedurally generated environment.
Questions
How long does a typical project take?
Small projects ship in days to weeks. A full custom application is typically 4–8 weeks from kickoff to launch. I'll give you a real estimate after the initial conversation, and I hold to it. Fixed-price means fixed scope — no scope creep surprises.
What if I need changes after launch?
That's what the retainer is for. Things change. You learn things after launch. A monthly retainer keeps me available without requiring a new project quote every time something needs to change.
Do you sign NDAs?
Yes, always. Your business information and any proprietary workflow details are confidential.
How is this different from hiring a freelancer on a platform?
Accountability. On a platform, you manage the relationship, the requirements, the QA, and the handoff. I handle all of that. I'm a generalist who takes responsibility for the whole system — not just a task. And I stay. Most platform engagements end when the task ends.
Why is this less expensive than an agency?
Agencies charge for overhead: project managers, account managers, layers of communication. I have none of that. AI tooling has also changed what one experienced engineer can accomplish solo. Work that used to require a team, I can often do alone. I'm passing that efficiency on.
What happens if something breaks after you build it?
On a retainer: I fix it. Off retainer: I'll scope it as a small engagement. Either way, you have a real person who built the thing and understands it completely — not a support ticket.
Currently
This site is a work in progress. I'm building it out alongside a few other things and not yet taking on new clients.
If you want to follow along or get in touch when that changes, email is the right place.
landon9720@gmail.com