Welcome

Hi, I'm Ben Szymanski, a seasoned software engineer and one of only 16 Umbraco Certified Masters in the United States. With over a decade of experience, I specialize in building robust web applications and content management systems that scale. Whether you're looking for freelance expertise in Umbraco CMS, ASP.NET development, or modern frontend tools like Tailwind CSS and HTMX, I'm ready to turn your ideas into reality.

Currently, I'm bootstrapping a new SaaS application and sharing the journey on my YouTube channel - building in public to inspire and connect with fellow developers. Let's collaborate on your next project!

About

I'm a freelance software engineer based in the US, passionate about crafting efficient, user-friendly solutions for web and app development. My background includes everything from vintage Mac recreations to modern hypermedia systems.

As an Umbraco Certified Master (one of just 16 in the US), I excel in creating customizable content management experiences. I leverage ASP.NET for backend power, paired with Tailwind CSS for sleek designs and HTMX for dynamic, interactive UIs without heavy JavaScript frameworks.

When I'm not coding, you'll find me exploring watersports tech through my Tidelas project or diving into nostalgic Apple ecosystem recreations. I'm also an active contributor to open-source communities and a member of the Umbraco Community Docs Team (2025).

Expertise

I bring a focused skill set to every project, emphasizing reliability, performance, and modern best practices. Here's what I specialize in:

Umbraco CMS: Certified Master-level expertise in building and customizing enterprise-grade content management systems. From migrations to custom integrations, I help businesses manage content effortlessly.
ASP.NET Development: Proficient in ASP.NET Core for scalable web APIs, MVC applications, and full-stack solutions. I optimize for multi-core environments and integrate with databases like PostgreSQL.
Tailwind CSS & HTMX: Creating responsive, performant frontends with Tailwind's utility-first approach and HTMX for seamless hypermedia-driven interactions - perfect for lightweight, interactive web apps.
Other Tools & Technologies: Django, Flutter for cross-platform apps, Objective-C/AppKit for macOS utilities, and more. I prioritize open-source alternatives and self-hosted solutions to keep costs down and control in your hands.

If you're a startup, agency, or indie dev needing freelance support, my blend of technical depth and practical experience ensures projects launch on time and within budget.

Building in Public

I'm currently developing a groundbreaking SaaS platform: a hypermedia-driven system with a lightweight CMS backend, designed to render native views for Apple apps (AppKit and UIKit). Built on ASP.NET Core and PostgreSQL, it's aimed at indie devs and teams needing server-driven content without the complexity.

Follow along as I build in public - sharing tech choices, challenges, and wins. Check out my YouTube channel for videos on everything from framework selections to performance optimizations.

Subscribe on YouTube

Recent Updates:

Video 1: Lessons from a Failed App and Pivoting to SaaS
Video 2: Choosing Tools – C#, ASP.NET, HTMX, and Postgres
Video 3: Indie life, runway and staying afloat - Coming soon!

This project leverages my Umbraco expertise for future integrations, making it a natural evolution of my freelance work.

Blog

Older posts →

Nah, the Umbraco Community Hasn't Changed - We Have

Contrarian. Politically incorrect. Littered with curse words. But as objective and as truthful as I'm capable of comprehending.

November 6, 2025

Contact

Ready to discuss your Umbraco project, ASP.NET needs, or just chat about hypermedia systems? Drop me a line - I'm available for freelance gigs, consultations, or collaborations.

Email: ben -at- <thisdomain> .com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-s-47b138113/
GitHub: @bszyman
YouTube: @ben1777
Flickr: @ben_live

Looking forward to hearing from you!