About KeelByte
Hi, I’m John Smalley, the person behind KeelByte.
When you hire KeelByte, you’re hiring me directly. No account managers, no handoffs to someone you’ve never met. Just a straightforward working relationship with a software engineer who cares about getting it right for your business.
Hi, I’m John Smalley, the person behind KeelByte.
When you hire KeelByte, you’re hiring me directly. No account managers, no handoffs to someone you’ve never met. Just a straightforward working relationship with a software engineer who cares about getting it right for your business.
The person you’ll be working with
I live in Freeport, Maine, with my wife, two kids, and a cockapoo named Maple who keeps me company at my desk.
During the winter, you’ll find me on the ski slopes most weekends at Sugarloaf. In the summers, I’m out sailing, which is actually where KeelByte gets its name. A keel keeps a sailboat stable and on course. This feels like the right metaphor for what I aim to do for the businesses I work with. And no matter the season, I’m chasing my kids to all their activities.
I got into programming because computers do exactly what you tell them to, every time, without exception. I studied Mechanical Engineering because I loved solving complex technical problems. It was while working as a Process Engineer at Procter & Gamble that I first saw what software could really do inside a real operation. That was the moment I knew. I’ve been building applications and integrations for businesses ever since, and I’ve never looked back.
Why I started KeelByte
I spent about 9 years working as a software engineer at tech startups, building applications, internal tools, and system integrations that both customers and internal teams relied on every day.
Over time, I realized I enjoy working closely with the business side just as much as the technical side. I like understanding how things actually work and building software to support it.
I started KeelByte so I could do that more directly.
Instead of being one part of a larger team, I now work closely with a small number of clients to build and improve the systems they depend on. When we work together, you are working directly with the person doing the work. The focus is on keeping things clear, practical, and easy to maintain over time.
How I work with clients
Every engagement starts with a conversation. No pressure, no commitment. I take time to understand what you’re working with before proposing anything.
From there, we work together with clear milestones, regular checkpoints, and direct communication throughout. You always know where things stand.
If you want to see exactly how a typical project unfolds from first call to launch and beyond, I’ve laid it out in detail on the Services page.
Let's connect
If you’re looking for a thoughtful technical partner, I’d be glad to connect.