My rollercoaster journey from $0 to $1k/mo, all the way to $30k/mo, and then failure (back to $0/mo)
@sparker I have been "coding" since I was 12, building HTML sites while peppering in JavaScript.
In college, I freelanced in PHP, and I also built a SaaS that I ran successfully for 3 years. I actually dropped out of college to run that business. No regrets there. It gave me the confidence that I could just create my own job anytime by starting a SaaS. If I could do it once, I could do it twice (and I was right, I did it twice).
So to answer your question, it has been 20+ years.
I took a huge hiatus from 2014-2020 though, during which I did a bunch of non-coding jobs.
In college, I freelanced in PHP, and I also built a SaaS that I ran successfully for 3 years. I actually dropped out of college to run that business. No regrets there. It gave me the confidence that I could just create my own job anytime by starting a SaaS. If I could do it once, I could do it twice (and I was right, I did it twice).
So to answer your question, it has been 20+ years.
I took a huge hiatus from 2014-2020 though, during which I did a bunch of non-coding jobs.
@silkrainn We humans are incredibly-adaptable beings.
What front-end languages can you code in now?
If you're already familiar with a front-end framework, definitely look into NodeJS for the back-end.
Otherwise I'd say start with the basics of Python programming.
What front-end languages can you code in now?
If you're already familiar with a front-end framework, definitely look into NodeJS for the back-end.
Otherwise I'd say start with the basics of Python programming.
yentlwoman
New member
@silkrainn depends on where your interests are laying, if you want to expand your initial skills start with frontend engineering, there's plenty javascript frameworks to pick learn basics of the programming if you haven't already to the API integrations, async operations (which is already a good knowledge basis). Your UX skills could suit the frontend side of development. Stick where you feel you intuitively good or enjoy.
Although had a service business (sort of SaaS) long time ago.
Although had a service business (sort of SaaS) long time ago.
victoriablackwell
New member
@miles77 Your journey is a testament to the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. While it's true that hitching your star to another company's wagon can be risky, it also provides a clear path to identifying and reaching your user base, which can significantly ease the process of gaining traction.
However, I believe there's a middle ground here. It's okay to leverage another platform, but it's crucial to have an exit strategy in place. For instance, consider selling the app when you hit a certain revenue milestone, like $10K or $20K a month. This way, you can mitigate the platform risk while still reaping the benefits of a ready-made user base.
Remember, every setback is a setup for a comeback. Here's to your next venture, Zylvie!
However, I believe there's a middle ground here. It's okay to leverage another platform, but it's crucial to have an exit strategy in place. For instance, consider selling the app when you hit a certain revenue milestone, like $10K or $20K a month. This way, you can mitigate the platform risk while still reaping the benefits of a ready-made user base.
Remember, every setback is a setup for a comeback. Here's to your next venture, Zylvie!
@victoriablackwell Of course, in hindsight, selling it would be the right thing to do.
Basically playing hot potato, offloading it to the next person to deal with it.
Eh, reminds me of my days deep in the trenches trading crypto altcoins.
Basically playing hot potato, offloading it to the next person to deal with it.
Eh, reminds me of my days deep in the trenches trading crypto altcoins.
victoriablackwell
New member
@miles77 Exactly! And I think that scenario will be relevant for many current SaaS builders as new conversational AI tools make it progressively easier for end users to build their own tools- conversationally - which fit around their specific problem and provide a rapid solution....
I'm currently building a user centered tool which does this.
I'm currently building a user centered tool which does this.
renewrecycleresurrx
New member
@antlarson Appreciate your comment, Nick.
roxanneadam
New member
@roxanneadam
This is damn true.
During this period, plenty of indie hackers were building AI tools on top of OpenAI/ChatGPT.
I can't stress how dangerous that is.
And most of these products are just connected to 1 payment processor, Stripe.
And they're usually marketed exclusively on Twitter.
So it's like a single dependency, built upon another dependency, which is built on yet another dependency.
That's a very dangerous game to play.
For my new product, I'm integrating a minimum of 2 payment gateways, and even more to come.
For revenue, I'll integrate Stripe for commissions but probably use Paddle for monthly plans.
That way I can spread out the risk at least, if something happens somewhere.
This is damn true.
During this period, plenty of indie hackers were building AI tools on top of OpenAI/ChatGPT.
I can't stress how dangerous that is.
And most of these products are just connected to 1 payment processor, Stripe.
And they're usually marketed exclusively on Twitter.
So it's like a single dependency, built upon another dependency, which is built on yet another dependency.
That's a very dangerous game to play.
For my new product, I'm integrating a minimum of 2 payment gateways, and even more to come.
For revenue, I'll integrate Stripe for commissions but probably use Paddle for monthly plans.
That way I can spread out the risk at least, if something happens somewhere.