Meet Marko: The developer who codes, jokes, and collects unused apps

From wannabe investor to developer (and part-time comedian)

Marko did not set out to work in tech. 'My plan was to become an investor or a world-famous DJ,' he says. 'I even bought The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham. That was fifteen years ago, and I have only read one page.'

Today, he still keeps that book on the shelf, along with several others he has started but never finished, from Atomic Habits to Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. 'I am reading many books at once,' he admits, 'just not finishing any of them.'

In the meantime, he has built a solid career as a developer at Zooma, a role that he says he enjoys – mainly because, as he jokes, 'it lets me hide from my wife and kids for eight hours a day.'

A love for problem-solving (and punchlines)

When asked what motivates him, Marko explains that creativity comes from tackling complex challenges, whether it is debugging code or crafting a punchline.

'It is that great feeling when you solve something difficult. I think it is human nature to enjoy overcoming challenges. We feel that rush of achievement.'

That same creative energy fuels his growing passion for comedy. What started as writing jokes for internal events has turned into live performances at company gatherings – including his first-ever stand-up act at a recent Zooma birthday party. 'The pressure was on,' he recalls with a grin. Joking is easy when we are with people who understand our internal jokes. It is harder when the audience doesn’t. But I liked the challenge.'

Hiking gear, freezers, and the art of not hiking

Marko describes himself as a passionate collector of hiking equipment that he never uses outside of work. He admits his outdoor adventures are mostly limited to supermarket runs. 'I once got thrown out of the ICA store for testing my windproof jacket in the freezer,' he laughs. 'It was a legitimate test!'

He is also proud of his ever-growing collection of unused productivity and meditation apps. 'I install every app that promises to make me a better person – productivity, yoga, budgeting, breathing. I never use them, but at least I am consistent,' he jokes.

Competing for a Swedish friend

Marko moved to Sweden some years ago, where he and his immigrant friends invented a unique competition: who can make a genuine Swedish friend first. Two of my friends work as dentists among Swedes, but none of them has a close Swedish friend yet. I am the only one who does – we meet once a year. So, I am winning.'

On success, self-improvement, and not taking life too seriously

When asked about his proudest accomplishment, Marko does not hesitate. 'Any finished project that the customer does not complain about afterwards,' he says. 'That is my biggest achievement.'

But beneath the humour lies a genuine drive for growth. 'I am passionate about becoming a better version of myself,' he says.

'It is slow, and often I fail, but I always come back and try again. That is the hardest work in life – improving yourself.'

His best piece of advice reflects that balance between ambition and lightness:

'Do not take life, or yourself, too seriously.'

The final laugh

Whether he is writing code, jokes, or just collecting his next app for 'personal development', Marko brings authenticity and laughter wherever he goes. 'At the end of the day', he says, 'it is all about finding humour in real life – even if it is just testing a jacket in a freezer.'

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