How I Became
a Developer.

My path into software development was anything but linear. While studying fine arts in Leipzig, I began building simple WordPress websites to pay my rent. At the same time, I enrolled in every course at HGB Leipzig that touched on web technologies — without realizing that this would eventually become my profession.

Together with my friend Johannes, I later started developing an app for house parties. Due to a constant shortage of developers, I quickly moved beyond visual design and into more abstract technical concepts, eventually working with Django as a Python backend. That project became my gateway into software architecture and product thinking.

Over the years, we kept iterating on the app, which naturally led me to technologies like React, React Native, and Firebase. At some point, it became clear that I was deeply drawn to building systems rather than just interfaces. I didn’t plan to “switch careers” — I simply followed my curiosity until the internet became my primary medium.

In 2019, Johannes and I founded our agency Minge+Schmidt. Since then, I’ve been working full-time as a freelance full-stack developer, gradually specializing in modern web architectures with React, Next.js, Remix, headless CMS solutions, and Shopify Hydrogen. Today, my focus lies on performance-driven, scalable products that balance strong UX with technical clarity.

Over the years, I’ve worked with a wide range of clients — from cultural institutions and startups to investment firms and e-commerce brands — including HAU Hebel am Ufer, Yoona.ai, Descript, Mataono, Female Business Angels, Auxxo Investment, Onlinetheater.live, Knoweaux, Hamburg Distilling Company, and Potluck.