Hi, I’m Dick van der Heiden

I'm a backend Laravel developer and co-owner of a tech agency focused on building web applications in Laravel. I’ve been developing web applications since floppy disks were a thing (yes, I'm old).

I've been working on projects for early-stage startups to well-established platforms. My role has evolved besides just writing code. Today, my work varies from engineering, product management, and business strategy.

Work

Whatever is required in the agency, from project management, testing, developing, DevOps, and sometimes even a little bit of sales (which isn't the best idea!). My main skills are backend development with PHP and the Laravel framework, building systems that are maintainable and are a perfect fit for the clients. Besides building web applications on Laravel, I'm also a Laravel Certified Developer and founding member of the Dutch Laravel Foundation (with both my personal company and my agency).

My work involves:

  • Building and designing the architecture of a wide range of web applications, from APIs to full-stack applications.
  • Structuring projects by creating workflows that work for the team, but also creating clear development processes.
  • Translating the business requirements of the stakeholders into technical solutions, proposals, or even user stories.
  • Supporting teams in delivering both the technical and product vision, making sure the right things are built in the right way.

I’m genuinely interested in bridging the gap between technical execution (with the developers) and strategic decision-making (challenging stakeholders about the "actual problem" and the "real product value"), making sure developers and users stay aligned.

Open source

I actively contribute "open-source" packages by building and maintaining multiple packages. For example, a validation package for Laravel, package for fail-safe time handling, and several API integrations. I also maintain several packages used by other teams, for example, a package managing production servers. These packages allow me to learn, keep my knowledge up-to-date, and give back to the community.

You can find my packages at:

Approach

My approach is pragmatic and is focused on the product so we build solutions that last while keeping the solution understandable and maintainable. I focus on real-world usage, not theoretical perfection. At the core, I'm all about creating software that works well for both the people using it and the people building/maintaining it.

Not just coding

As co-owner of a tech agency, I can't focus on code alone. With my urge to have clear processes and create an environment where developers thrive, I’m involved in project planning, process design, and guiding technical direction. I also share knowledge through my blog, whenever I find some spare time, where I write about Laravel, development practices, and technical problem-solving.

Contact

If you'd like to connect, discuss a project, or follow what I’m working on, you can find me here: