Finally came to the decision that if I want to change my financial situation, a 9–5 alone probably isn’t going to cut it. I’ve tried trading and worked various jobs, but I keep coming back to software. Build something once, and more than one person can use it without every sale requiring another hour of my time.
Naval talks a lot about that kind of leverage. And being that I already work in software, would it really hurt to build a few things that make my life easier? Maybe land on something other people would use too?
It certainly can’t be that hard, I told myself.
Well, day one’s in, and let me tell you, it is hell.
I wasn’t sure where to start, so like any well-meaning entrepreneur, I consulted Reddit. Specifically, r/SomebodyMadeThis, for inspiration.
A few scrolls in, most ideas felt too ambitious for what I’m trying to do: make some income alongside my job. Something I can build quickly, that solves a specific problem, and doesn’t cost too much to run.
Oh, and other people have to hate that problem too :).
A niche problem seemed like a reasonable place to start. Fewer things to build, a clearer idea of who it’s for, and hopefully an easier time reaching them.
Some napkin math told me 500 people paying $20 a month would mean $10K in monthly revenue, before costs. People spend wayyy more on things they barely use. Surely I could build something they’d actually feel good spending their money on.
So… what gives?
Maybe I should start with my own problems. Something I do repeatedly that could become a tool?
Except every time I think of one, I imagine searching for it and finding three tools that already do exactly that.
Oh boy. This is tough.
I wonder if this is what artists and creators deal with every day. Wanting to make something, but not knowing where to start. I’m beginning to understand why people avoid it. There’s no assignment, no clear next step, and nobody telling you whether the thing is worth making.
Then again, why am I treating “already exists” as the end of the idea? Taking something that works and making one part of it better might be a much more reasonable place to begin.
Okay. One problem I actually have.
Let’s start there.