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How to start my own business? (feddit.org)

submitted 3 days ago by YUART@feddit.org to c/programming@programming.dev

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Hi,

I'm a programmer with a bunch of years in IT and currently I'm trying to build my own project that can bring me enough revenue so I can leave my full-time job and focus on my projects only and eventually start my own business.

The main struggle right now is that I have too little time to work on my projects (around 3 hours per week) and I estimate it will take me at least 2 more years to start earning anything (not talking about real money so I can leave my full time job). I don't want to create any sort of scam just to grab some cash, but building a real complex software is a time consuming process, not speaking about that I must handle other stuff than programming (which I enjoy but this means I have even more work to do).

I'm wondering if anybody can give me any advice how to speed up that process or where I can get money to be able to focus on my ideas full time? Or maybe somebody tried to do the same and failed and can share what lessons they learned from their mistakes?

I'm looking for a real solutions, so please cut out generic advices like "just keep working" or "just find an angel investor". I understand that starting your own business is hard and requires to take a risk, but I'm looking for practical advices and not advices based on luck or having a huge start capital.

Thanks

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[–] magic_lobster_party@fedia.io 14 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Haven’t started a company myself, but I’ve worked with a few people who have.

The common theme is that you need to involve potential clients early. Understand their wants and needs. What you learn from the first interactions will likely surprise you, and greatly reshape your product vision.

Don’t build a product in isolation for two years. That’s a sure way to make something no one wants to pay for.

[–] YUART@feddit.org 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Hi, yeah, I 100% agree and I plan to involve potential clients in the product asap. Currently, I'm finishing of the implementation of an alpha version of my product that will be pitched to a potential customers.

[–] Brainsploosh@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

I do hope you really learnt this lesson, as you have nothing until a customer finds the promise of your solution worthwhile enough to pay for it.

And even then, you still might not have a viable business. You'll still have to figure out how to keep getting enough people paying to fund the next/replacement product.