Since young age he had shown literal talent and published poetry, fairy tales and articles in journals, under pseudonym Jan Velešovský.

In 1858 Vilímek and Josef Svátek founded political satire journal "Humoristické listy".

In 1858 he and Josef Novák founded "Slavic Bookstore" (Slovanské knihkupectví) but left it in 1867.

Publishing of calendars, almanacs and plays of Matěj Kopecký turned to be the most successful business.

In summer of 1885 Vilímek moved responsibility of the company to his son but stayed as editor and manager of "Humoristické listy" until 1906.