Antwan Works

I design & code systems for small businesses. I diagnose, organize, and automate your business.

Currently focused on building Sketch2CAD for house plans

[Antwan Works @AntwanNester]

SMB STACK 2026 v2
=Base
Debian
KDE

=Core
OnlyOffice
Thunderbird
Zen*
Drawio
Notion*
Jitsi

=Utilities
Flameshot
HopToDesk
OBS Studio

=Creative
Blender
Inkscape
GIMP
Kdenlive
Audacity
HandBrake
FreeCAD

=Dev
VS Code
Node-RED
Python
SQLite

=Security
KeePassXC
BorgBackup
Vorta

[Antwan Works @AntwanNester]

I've found thunderbird is a powerful daily driver for productivity, both for email, messaging, calendar, and light browsing. If only it had document and spreadsheet processing buult in. Fully integrating libre office & something like nextcloud

[Antwan Works @AntwanNester]

If you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! https://t.co/todL5SL47q

[Antwan Works @AntwanNester]

@sweatystartup This can be a good advantage particularly for small businesses, in particular you could avoid burn out while allowing the business to grow and off setting the tasks you need to do but can't afford to pay an extra $20/hr locally. The key thing is building a strong worldwide team.

[Antwan Works @AntwanNester]

If you enjoy what I do, help fuel me up on Ko-fi! https://t.co/todL5SL47q

[Antwan Works @AntwanNester]

SMB STACK 2026
=Base
Debian
KDE

=Core
OnlyOffice
Thunderbird
Opera*
Drawio
Notion*

=Utilities
Flameshot
HopToDesk
OBS Studio

=Creative
Blender
Inkscape
GIMP
Kdenlive
Audacity
HandBrake
FreeCAD

=Dev
VS Code
Node-RED
Python
SQLite

=Security
KeePassXC
BorgBackup
Vorta

[Antwan Works @AntwanNester]

@okekeebuka16 @SBmatters_za Start from home or clients premise depending on the business. If you can build your online presence then take it from there. All the best and keep pushing

[Antwan Works @AntwanNester]

@GiggsPunk @SBmatters_za If you're afraid think, if I do this where could I be in 5 years time vs continuing with what I'm doing. Practically.. save up for 1 years worth of critical expenses and then go all in. 6 months at the minimum to remove the pressure. Good luck

[Antwan Works @AntwanNester]

@VinceMalapane @SBmatters_za Always start with what you can afford or risk to loan, start small them see if you can build a profit. If you're thinking trucking start with a motorbike (e.g. courier guy founder), if you're thinking manufacturing start by servicing, then build up tools & equipment

[Antwan Works @AntwanNester]

@Devan820923 @SBmatters_za Sell a solution where you can use your skill or interest, and where possible sell a B2B product then grow from there. Try localise it for best support. E.g. service refrigerators for stores & resturants. All the best

[Antwan Works @AntwanNester]

Solidworks to FreeCAD, been finding it hard to switch my workflows and setups over for work, I'm still actively pushing to get things moving for Sketch2Cad, I've managed to get my basic workflow workin but lots more.

Stack
Flask, FreeCAD, Blender , Inkscape, Drawio

[Antwan Works @AntwanNester]

@EswatiniGovern1 This is definitely a greate opportunity, especially creating a mordern structure that enables smoother tourism experience.

[Antwan Works @AntwanNester]

This is my new stack focused on 2026, after testing and using these for a bit, I've settled on the best set to utilise as a business. I still would like to goce Matrix + Element a go but the crashes where too much friction for the business.

[Antwan Works @AntwanNester]

S26 #FOSS

=Base
Debian
KDE

=Core
Tryton
Nextcloud
OnlyOffice
Thunderbird
Chromium
Drawio

=Utilities
Flameshot
RustDesk
OBS Studio

=Creative/CAD
Blender
Inkscape
GIMP
Kdenlive
Audacity
HandBrake
FreeCAD

=Dev
VS Code
Python
SQLite
Node-RED

=Security
BorgBackup
Vorta
KeePassXC

[Antwan Works @AntwanNester]

I've been slowly moving my clients over to Debian + KDE Plasma, so far no major hiccups. Printers are working fine. The answer is yes you can switch over. These are the core approved apps

Thunderbird
OnlyOffice (sorry Libre)
Chromium (sorry Foxy)
AnyDesk (switch to x11 session)

[Antwan Works @AntwanNester]

Small Businesses are at the core of the community, that said doesn't every one good, or suited for the community. How has your small business shaped your community?

[Antwan Works @AntwanNester]

@ShaanVP Is there a ceiling income for each of you, e.g $100mil, $10bill, or is the sky the limit and if so whats the reasoning or drive behind it? Also to anyone reading this.

[Antwan Works @AntwanNester]

Forgot to put Jitsi and some other small tools I integrate with Thinderbird for ease of use.

[Antwan Works @AntwanNester]

Small Business Stack 2025 (march)

*OS*
Debian
KDE Plasma

=Automate
Python
Sqlite
Syncthing

=Core
OnlyOffice
Thunderbird
Chromium
Drawio
KeePassXC
VLC

=Ops
Cryptpad
Tryton
Rustdesk

=Studio
Inkscape
Kdenlive
ObStudio
Blender
Handbrake
Audacity
FreeCad

=Test
NocoDB
Node-Red

[Antwan Works @AntwanNester]

From small business feedback LibreOffice was hard to use, hindering productivity so ended up opting for OnlyOffice.

Collaboration trying Cryptpad
Automation workflows trying NocoDB & Node-Red as a combo.

This stack is being used by small businesses and me, the stack continues