Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: Is it possible for a non-programmer to bootstrap a SaaS business alone?

clientgiant.us

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

71–76 of 76 posts

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible for a non-programmer to bootstrap a SaaS business alone?

#71

Post by swalsh »

amorphid wrote: post #69
swalsh wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why do you assume that water quality consultants would buy a software product from you alone? Selling is hard, and a big part of it is knowing your customer, and gaining their trust. This guy would have a much better chance at accomplishing that. He had a lot of value, you just failed to see it. He made the right choice by finding someone else.

The point I was trying to make is that making an MVP water consulting CRM for a single customer isn't very equitable for me. The amount of money I'd earn for the time invested feels like it'd be less than what I'd likely earn as a consultant for anyone paying an hourly rate. If I decided to build a CRM for the water consultant market, he brings little to the table for me. What I mean I can find a water consultant tha…

"For him to be a viable non-technical cofounder, he'd need to stop being a water consultant, and start being a cofounder. "

This part I completely agree with you. If you're splitting equality (relatively) equally. He should be as committed as you are, if he's not, than you need to be compensated extra for it.

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible for a non-programmer to bootstrap a SaaS business alone?

#72

Post by edblarney »

andrewstuart wrote: post #6

Just learn to program, every minute that you spend futzing around trying to find developers who'll do it for free or little money is one minute further away from you have the development skills to write your own product.

Learning all of the skills necessary, even at a minimum level of competency, would take quite a long time, and I also don't think everyone is suited to development.

To boot - in a 'small scale op' devs usually do a lot of the product, interface design, aesthetic design etc. - which is definitely a competency that too many people write off as 'not a thing'. It's definitely a thing. :)

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible for a non-programmer to bootstrap a SaaS business alone?

#73

Post by edblarney »

amorphid wrote: post #20

I (developer) chatted with a water quality consultant during a plane flight. Consultant mentioned the CRM for his niche business sucked. He asked if I'd be interested in building a CRM for no money upfront, instead making money later (a percentage of his business I could sell, a license fee, profit sharing, whatever). I realized in that moment once the app was built, I wouldn't need him at all, and that I could sell…

I would urge caution in the assumption that 'being able to build a product' is the same thing as selling it.

Moreover, there are tons of little nuances and specific things that go into making a 'great product for the niche' and that knowledge is domain specific and can take a lot of time to learn.

This is without even considering the fact this person, having worked in the industry can probably speak with a lot of credibility on the issue to customers, and hone in on specific deficiencies, likely has a long contact list of potential clients buyers and a strong network - these things are valuable.

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible for a non-programmer to bootstrap a SaaS business alone?

#74

Post by edblarney »

swalsh wrote: post #68
vinceguidry wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sure, value for himself. Value as a business input to a currently non-existent SaaS app? Way less clear.

This is my last remark here, because this chain is getting a bit long. But I'll try my best to clarify myself. Because I really want this to help you in the future, or anyone who might read this. Because I used to have similar opinions as you, and it hurt my progress. When you're done building the minimum viable product. You're not done, his value is not used up. You've done only a fraction of the work involved with…

I strongly concur with this comment.

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible for a non-programmer to bootstrap a SaaS business alone?

#75

Post by throwawaysbdi »

joe563323 wrote: post #47
throwawaysbdi wrote: post #16

It's not possible unless you have enough money to pay a good developer salary. I've been a part of one once, and the only reason I dealt with the clueless founders was because they paid me better than a regular coding job. So yeah, it's possible, if you're rich or can get funding before you've got a product. I've also been approached by countless guys asking me to work on their startup for free or something like 10%…

> To those guys I've started asking for 60% equity and they usually walk away as if it was an insult. Do you advice the developer to accept the offer for 60% equity ?.

Sure, if you think the idea is worth it

Re: Ask HN: Is it possible for a non-programmer to bootstrap a SaaS business alone?

#76

Post by cgrusden »

After reading the comments, no one asked about "which"SaaS business model. Yes it is extremely possible to bootstrap a SaaS business alone depending on which model. Example: help a reporter out that peter shankman grew into a Monster of a SaaS business.

Another example? GroupOn. Was a email newsletter first.

I've seen a group of guys go sign up for Wordpress and were generating $2,000/month themselves for a kickstarter-like concept by using plugins. Not all SaaS businesses require a programmer, especially these days.

Will certain models require a programmer at some point? Maybe. Maybe someone just wants to build 10 SaaS newsletter sites that all generate $1,000/month each... $10kMRR in total with no need to hire a programmer.

Post reply on HN