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Zach Stepek, a WordPress and WooCommerce veteran, discusses the three interconnected pillars of the WordPress ecosystem: agencies, product companies, and hosting infrastructure. He argues these layers form a Celtic-knot-like interdependency where each must support the others to thrive. The conversation explores how ROI-driven, transactional thinking driven by private equity and economic fear is eroding the trust-based, values-driven partnerships that made WordPress successful. Zach makes the case that relationship equity precedes revenue, that community perception compounds over time, and that short-term thinking damages brand equity. He also touches on hardware component shortages threatening hosting economics and the need for better recognition of community contributions.

#210 – Zach Stepek on the Interconnected WordPress Ecosystem, Partnerships and Trust