In the ever-evolving world of WordPress, one name stands out as a beacon of hope, inspiration, and opportunity: Topher DeRosia, the founder of HeroPress. What began as an uncertain journey—sparked by an email from his employer in 2014—has blossomed into a platform that uplifts underrepresented voices across the globe.
Topher’s story is nothing short of remarkable. One morning, while working for XWP, he received an unexpected message from the company owner, Dave: “You’re not working for XWP anymore. I want you to build something special for WordPress.” With no further guidance, Topher embarked on a quest to create something meaningful.
“Hi Topher, my name is Adnan, and I’ve come here from Pakistan to shake your hand.”
The Birth of HeroPress
Initially envisioned as a TED-like video series featuring local experts in underrepresented WordPress communities, HeroPress faced early challenges. A Kickstarter campaign aimed to validate the idea, but when it fell short of its ambitious $60,000 AUD goal, the project seemed doomed. Yet, a persistent community and Topher’s innovative thinking breathed new life into the project.
“It occurred to me that if I pivoted to text, we’d solve a number of problems,” Topher explained. Text-based essays made the platform more accessible and cost-effective, while also increasing its reach. From there, HeroPress took off.
A Platform of Hope and Opportunity
HeroPress is built on three pillars: hope, inspiration, and opportunity. For Topher, these values are more than abstract ideals—they’re a mission.
“Hope: it is indeed possible to start a business online from a tiny village in remote parts of India,” he said. The essays published on HeroPress chronicle incredible stories of resilience, like that of Hari from India. Facing family pressure and career uncertainty, Hari discovered HeroPress and its essays, which inspired him to learn WordPress and land a life-changing job at Automattic.
Topher measures HeroPress’s success not through web traffic but through the impact it has on individuals. At WordCamp Miami, a man from Pakistan traveled to shake Topher’s hand, expressing gratitude for the platform’s impact on his life. At WordCamp Asia, Ugyen Dorji from Bhutan shared how HeroPress had helped him connect with the global WordPress community—a journey that brought him from a small, isolated country to an international stage.
“Interestingly, if I measured success by web stats I would consider HeroPress to be a failure. We have abysmal stats.
So I measure by the things people say to me.
The first time I ever met Muhammad Adnan was on the lawn at WordCamp Miami. He just walked up to me and said “Hi Topher, my name is Adnan, and I’ve come here from Pakistan to shake your hand.”
At WordCamp Asia Ugyen Dorji came to me and said “If you hadn’t asked me to write, I would never have joined the global WordPress community, I would never have become a contributor, I would never have left Bhutan, and I would never have been here to shake your hand. Thank you.”
Hari from India was at a terrible low point in his life, unable to find a career that fit him, unable to appease his family who thought he was a loser because he couldn’t figure it out, when he found HeroPress one evening. He stayed up late, reading dozens of essays, and then went out and learned WordPress. He then applied to Automattic and was hired onto the Community Team. He found not only a great job that supports his family, but a career he loves and can work in for the rest of his life.
Josepha once told me that part of her job was being a sounding board for Automatticians that had hard days. They would come to her and vent, and she didn’t even have to say anything, just listen. Then they would take a deep breath and say “Now I’ll go read some HeroPress essays and everything will be all better”.
Morten Rand-Hendrickson once said something very similar to me. He was a big fan and I said “Do you read every week?” and I was very sad when he said no. If a big fan doesn’t read every week, who does? Then he said “I don’t really have time to read for fun every week, but I can tell you then every now and again I get really down about the WordPress community and then I go read a bunch of essays, and that really helps”
So I’ve stopped measuring by stats. I’ve stopped thinking of HeroPress as a weekly publication, and more of an archive of the stories of WordPress. A library if you will.
There are literally hundreds more of these stories, I could go on and on.
This is how I know HeroPress matters.”
“In 2015 the organizers of WordCamp Pune asked me to come speak about HeroPress. I think that’s when HeroPress and India fell in love with each other. I did a fundraiser to get there, and got all I needed in 24 hours.”
When asked: What quote or story from HeroPress that you think everyone in the WordPress community should read?
Topher replied; “Wow this is hard. I know there are so many that I can’t remember. I can tell you this, each essay has a banner with a quote from the essay. Just for this interview I made this page: https://heropress.com/banners/“
Crafting a Diverse Narrative
HeroPress doesn’t just tell stories; it amplifies the voices of those often overlooked. From contributors in war-torn countries to those overcoming physical challenges, Topher’s commitment to diversity is deliberate and unwavering.
“I value geographic diversity,” he shared. “In the early days, I would simply pick a country and start finding people from there.” Today, serendipity and intentional outreach continue to shape HeroPress’s rich tapestry of voices.
The Human Behind the Platform
For Topher, HeroPress is more than a project—it’s a reflection of his values. “I’m deeply a people person,” he said. “I love people, in the way that Jesus intended. That’s what drives me to try to make people’s lives better.”
Through HeroPress, he has not only inspired countless individuals but also created a “library of the stories of WordPress,” as he puts it.
Looking Ahead
Topher’s vision for HeroPress is rooted in sustainability and growth. He aims to enhance the platform by translating essays into multiple languages and introducing audio formats. But his ultimate goal remains simple: to continue sharing stories that matter.
Your community is the people next to you. Be kind to them, and help them be kind to their community, and together we can keep things together.
A Call to Action
As HeroPress faces financial challenges, Topher invites the WordPress community to support its mission. “2024 was a hard year, and we could use help from the community,” he said. Donations can be made through the HeroPress fundraiser.
Topher’s journey from uncertainty to impact serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, community, and storytelling. His parting advice for underrepresented individuals trying to make their mark in WordPress? “Pick something and get good at it… and meet everyone you can. Your network matters. Make FRIENDS. Friends will hire you someday.”
In a time when the WordPress community faces challenges and divisions, HeroPress stands as a unifying force. It’s more than a platform—it’s a movement driven by love, empathy, and the belief that everyone’s story deserves to be told.
For those inspired by Topher’s story, his words serve as a rallying cry: “The WordPress community is fracturing right now. Walls are being put up, people are being locked out, or in. We don’t have to let that happen. Love your neighbour. Teach them, help them grow. The community doesn’t have to be tied to an organization or a website or anything. Your community is the people next to you. Be kind to them, and help them be kind to their community, and together we can keep things together.”
Want to reach out to Topher?
Website: HeroPress.com
Slack: https://heropress.com/slack/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/heropress/
LinkedIN: https://linkedin.com/in/heropress
Fosstodon: @heropress@fosstodon.org
BSKY: @heropress.bsky.social
