Milan Djordjevic, the Co-Founder of the #WPNIS Meetup group, Co-Organizer of WordCamp Nis 2019, and Co-Organizer of WordCamp Europe 2018 and 2019 is with us today for an exclusive interview so without further ado, let’s hear it from the man himself.
WPJuicer: Hello Milan, thank you for taking out time from your busy schedule. Could you please tell readers about yourself?
Milan: Big hello to the readers of WPJuicer. I am a business owner and entrepreneur with a background in different IT spheres. I am the managing partner and CTO of Shindiri Studio, a company providing custom WordPress development and design services. I am experienced in leading the business development sector in my company, managing projects, making sure deadlines are met and client onboarded.
In the WordPress world, I am the Co-Founder of the #WPNIS Meetup group, Co-Organizer of WordCamp Nis 2019, and Co-Organizer of WordCamp Europe 2018 and 2019. I have been involved in meetups since 2016 as a lecturer, organizer, and supporter.
WPJuicer: What should readers know about all the stuff you’re doing in WordPress these days?
Milan: As Elite authors on ThemeForest and CodeCaynon and also client-oriented business, we tend to work on very different things as projects are different for in-house purposes and client requests. We are working on a new theme and are in the process of redesign our best selling plugins.
We are mostly using custom development for our clients, so every project is slightly different, but this is why we love to use WordPress so much because it gives us the freedom to achieve everything we and our clients desire.
WPJuicer: How did you have the idea for Shindiri Studio? What problem(s) does your product solve?
Milan: As the managing partner in the company I haven’t been around since the start, but for the past 7 years, I have been a part of different teams and done different things in the company. Our goal is to provide high-end services to the needs of our clients and build beautiful and robust themes and plugins to help other agencies and freelancers achieve the same. Our products are all oriented in giving the extra feature or extra look to a website so that the end result is pleasing.
Our team is always ready to help your needs.
WPJuicer: With the increasing popularity, WordPress has become an attractive target for attackers. What would you suggest to secure a WordPress site?
Milan: This is always a topic that comes up on our meetups and WordCamps. In our opinion there are a couple of mandatory steps that you need to take into consideration, to keep your website secure and safe.
1) Secure hosting
2) Regular backups
3) High-security passwords
4) Always use proven plugins and themes from respectable authors (nulled items are a big NO NO)
5) Update your WordPress and plugins to the latest versions.
6) There is always the question about security plugins and which one to use. I will not open a discussion about that, because each has its benefits and weaknesses so it’s up to individual choice.
WPJuicer: Name five people who have inspired you the most?
Milan: Milan Ivanovic, Aleksandar Savkovic, Milana Cap, Aleksandar Predic, Nemanja Djokic
WPJuicer: You have attended many WordCamps, share your experiences, and tell our readers, how these meetups are beneficial for WordPress, WP Community, and professional growth?
Milan: Every meetup, WordCamp in every city and country is different, but also the same. All the people who attend have one goal and one love towards WordPress, everybody has this in common, so we always have something to talk about.
The WP Community have my professional growth a huge boost in a direction I never thought I would go. I have found friends and business partners for life, and holding meetups gave me an opportunity to build my name and reputation in my country and worldwide. One of the most memorable experiences would be the organization of my first WordCamp in my city I can not explain the energy and feelings I had during the organization and on the days of the event.
The only thing to top that is my time in the Local Organizing team for WordCamp Europe 2018 in Belgrade, which was a phenomenal experience as well. WordPress events give you an opportunity to travel, meet new people, and expand your network, which is beneficial in all its core.
WPJuicer: What do you look for in a managed WordPress host?
Milan: Most importantly security and scalability.
WPJuicer: Who should we interview next, and why?
Milan: I would pick Nikola Stulic. He is a very interesting guy, who works for the Codeable platform for many years. He is a fellow organizer and a good friend.
WPJuicer: We have talked too much about your professional life. Let’s tell our readers about your hobbies and interests. What does Milan do other than work? (Can we have a pics)
Milan: I like to spend time out in Kafanas (Serbian pubs) and hanging out with my friends and future wife.
I like to travel and explore new countries and enjoy nature.
In the winter I like to go skiing, this is a sport I found love in the last couple of years.
In the meantime I do a lot of volunteer work, I am the local president of the JCI Nis chapter and do different kinds of educational and humanitarian projects.
WPJuicer: Any other thoughts or things you wish to mention?
Milan: Just keep on dreaming and put efforts towards your end goals, because the hard effort will get you there. Keep up a smile and think positively and most importantly surround yourself with good people who share your visions and beliefs. Over and out 🙂
