Zain Winkelmann

It Started With a Familiar Frustration

For over 20 years, Zain Winkelmann wasn't a software developer. He was a business leader on the front lines, managing everything from high-volume retail floors to complex wholesale operations. He was responsible for the P&L, for hitting sales targets, and for fixing the operational bottlenecks that quietly drain a company's profits.

He saw the same problem, time and time again: businesses were forced to adapt their processes to their software, not the other way around. Off-the-shelf solutions were rigid, expensive custom builds were slow, and neither truly understood the unique strategic workflows that gave a business its competitive edge.

From the Trenches to the Top Tier

Zain's journey is one of deep, hands-on experience. He knows the pressure of turning a business around because he's done it. As the General Manager for Coastal Hire Polokwane, he took an underperforming franchise and drove a 45% increase in sales, transforming it into a Top 20 international store. He achieved this not just with sales acumen, but by meticulously re-engineering every process for maximum efficiency and profitability.

"He didn't learn to code to become a developer; he learned to code to build the tools he always wished he had."

He understands the daily grind of retail because he managed the top-performing Mr. Price Sports branch in his region, achieving a record-low stock loss of 0.1% by creating systems that actually worked for his staff. He didn't just follow the manual; he wrote a new one that the entire division adopted.

Building the Solution He Always Needed

This deep understanding of business pain points is what led him to technology. When managing a multi-site cash and carry operation, he didn't just accept the logistical challenges—he personally spearheaded the development of a custom online store and a bespoke fleet management app to solve them.

Kustomcode was born from this experience. It was founded on a simple but powerful idea: the best software comes from a deep understanding of the business strategy it's meant to serve. Every solution we build is infused with two decades of executive-level insight into what actually works to drive growth, reduce costs, and create a real commercial advantage.