Meet Paul Kimbrel | CTO @ Budgetocity

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paul Kimbrel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paul, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Work-life balance is certainly a challenge. I juggle my 9-5 job, entrepreneurial efforts (yep, plural), volunteer activities, and family, which has led to a full, busy life.

I’ve described my lifestyle as “plate spinning,” like the entertainer spinning plates on the top of sticks. As long as the plates spin, they stay up. However, if plates stop spinning, they fall and break. I have a lot of ideas and opportunities, but when I try to do too much, something falls and breaks.

My goal has been never to let my “family” plate break. All my work efforts have had varying levels of demand, and I’ve broken many plates. However, the only time my family hears, “Sorry! Working late!” is when there is a pending change in the law or I’m facing a significant financial loss. I will not put profit before my family.

As a result, I’ve had to clock out and walk away from work several times. I’ve been incredibly blessed to have that ability and still provide for my family. And while I’ve had opportunities for better-paying jobs, more profitable businesses, and more prestigious careers, I’ve declined those opportunities for time with my family.

I will always wonder if I could have spent more time with my family, but when my kids were at critical stages of life – I was there. That’s the ultimate success. I’ve gained nothing if I succeed in business but lose my family.

It has required aggressive protection of my time and my agenda. As my kids have grown, I’ve been able to open my time and expand my agenda, but I still have to be vigilant. I have to invest in my marriage. I have to listen as my (now adult) kids call out. I have to be intentional to spend time with friends. I have to take a day each week to disconnect and just “be.” The more I protect my non-work time, the better my work time will be.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
From the very start, I’ve been fascinated by the world of computer programming, development, and tinkering. Guided by exceptional mentors, I’ve had the privilege to work on a diverse range of projects. My journey has predominantly been in the financial industry, spanning from front-end projects like web applications to back-office software and libraries. I’m not your typical developer. I’ve deliberately sought out new roles to immerse myself in the process and business of software development. My corporate career has grown to the point where I now steer technology and mentor developers rather than writing software myself.

As technology evolves, new computer languages and platforms are constantly emerging. The only way to keep up is to tinker, play, and build. To do this, I’ve worked on diverse projects outside the corporate world to keep my skills sharp and prove what new technology can do. Most projects are just quick proof-of-concepts or home projects. However, one project sprouted from my need for better budgeting software.

Like many, I’m a person whose paycheck arrives every two weeks. I’ve often found myself in a battle with existing software, trying to mold it into a budgeting tool that suits my needs. I’ve had to deal with peculiar budgets starting two days before a new month and bills due at inconvenient times in the budget cycle. Moreover, I’ve encountered a plethora of financial software written in a language only financial gurus could decipher. I was disheartened by the fact that existing software expected people to conform to a single way of budgeting. It was then that I realized I could use my programming skills to create a solution.

That’s when I created Budgetocity — budgeting software for my family. I wanted an application that worked in harmony with my financial situation. It’s a small thing, but building a budget around “when I got paid” instead of “once a month” gave me a sense of control that helped me manage my finances. Additionally, it allowed me to try new computer languages, different databases, and user interfaces.

As the project grew, I began to meet more people who had frustrations similar to mine, such as school teachers who got paid on odd weeks and government workers who got paid on the last day of the month. I would tell them how I made my budget and about my software, and they would ask, “Where do I sign up?”

As a software developer, I’ve always said, “Coding is the easy part.” The challenge is putting working software in the hands of people who need it. The pipeline for delivering software is complicated and full of poor documentation and greedy vendors. Additionally, I’ve had to learn how to design and market a brand. It was challenging to do it all by myself.

Thankfully, as the project has gained momentum, so has my team. I’m fortunate to have a couple of exceptional teammates who are spearheading the brand while I continue to drive the software. This journey of building more than just software has been transformative, equipping me with invaluable experience and making me a better business partner.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Early in our marriage, my wife and I were struggling to make ends meet. It was one of the reasons I became passionate about budgeting. As we looked at our spending, one of the things we had to curtail was eating out. Through decisions like that, we saved our finances and got out of debt.

With our financial situation improving and the aid of a great budgeting app, we’ve been able to reintroduce the joy of dining out into our lives. As I look at my budget now, I’m reminded of the saying, ‘Where your money goes, so goes your heart.’ It’s true—I like to eat.

One of my greatest joys is discovering unique and affordable dining spots. The DFW area has been a treasure trove of such places. I often find myself planning itineraries for friends who visit, eager to share the places that have brought me joy.

Let’s start with BBQ.

Texas BBQ is a way of life, and I’m about to make both friends and enemies here. But a visit to DFW must include a trip to Houchin’s BBQ in McKinney. While I appreciate other BBQ joints, this was the first place we ate when we moved here, so it holds a special place in my heart.

Next, we’ll go south a little to the Black Walnut Cafe in Allen. The best way to describe the menu is “diverse.” My go-to dish is their Mediterranean chicken. Their pot roast is fantastic, and when I ignore my gluten allergy, I get the lobster mac-n-cheese (worth it).

Once we’ve walked off those calories at Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, we’ll have dinner at Jörg’s Cafe in downtown Plano. Only open a few days of the week, it gives you a taste of Austria. Come for the schnitzel, stay for Dunkel.

Then we’ll drive a little into Richardson for some sushi at Sushi Sake, where I first tried sushi and learned that I love eel. Then, we’ll take a small hop into Dallas for the east-coast deli experience at Deli News.

We’ll swing around to my favorite restaurant, Havana Cafe, by the Dallas Arboretum. We’ll get the empanadas, the seafood paella (with the chicken and andouille sausage, of course), and the Signature Mojito made with an elderberry liqueur.

Finally, we’ll swing around to my little town of Wylie. There, we’ll grab a bottle of wine from Landon Winery and then walk across the street to Bold BBQ to get their signature appetizer, brisket egg rolls.

After all that, we’ll plan another trip, and I’ll take you to a whole other set of restaurants (and Havana Cafe again).

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shout out to my wife, Tonya! I would not be able to do what I’m doing without her. She has encouraged me every step of the way, listened to me “unpack” things, and been the voice of reason when I’m doing too much (or not enough). Starting a business involves many restarts and mistakes; she has stuck with me through both.

Website: https://www.budgetocity.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/budgetocity

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pkimbrel/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/budgetocity

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/budgetocity