I'm currently running https://pyup.io
I wouldn't call it a success yet, but it is growing :)
Ask HN: Successful one-person online businesses?
121–130 of 666 posts
Re: Ask HN: Successful one-person online businesses?
#122I'm not sure if this qualifies as an "online business", but I started an ISP in November '15. It's also not entirely "one-person". I am the sole founder, but I do hire part-time help on occasion if I'm swamped. It started off as a WISP and has finally grown to the point where we are beginning to deploy fiber. The site is https://nepafiber.com I still work full-time as a systems engineer, but the business started brin…
This is a naive question, how can you provide Internet services? Do you use the line of other providers? And how profitable is?
Re: Ask HN: Successful one-person online businesses?
#123Earlier quoted context omitted.
Of course other developers are interested in that. That's such a leading question that you risk tripping some people's BS meter. But still ... yes, definitely interested.
Yeah my BS meter has tripped. Most of his submissions are links to his own site and his comments here are "would anyone be interested in ____" and "let me tell you a secret" self promotional spam.
I only post comments like that when it makes sense.
If you asked me, "hey I just downloaded Sublime Text, what are some good packages for a Rails developer?". Why wouldn't I link you to a blog post that lays it all out so you can consume it quickly?
"Let me tell you a secret" is a line I used twice. As a software developer I like testing things and analyzing the results. So when I reply to people, I tend to make note of the wording and phrases I use, and then see how it does.
Nothing wrong with that IMO.
You could choose to ignore the link too, but I'll leave you with this. None of my paid training material has anything to do with "selling the dream". It's all tech courses related to web frameworks and how to deploy them to production. In other words, concrete knowledge that has guaranteed results.
Re: Ask HN: Successful one-person online businesses?
#124In 2016 I took content creation somewhat seriously and the end result was enough income to sustain living in NY. Not sure if it's worth blogging about yet. Are other developers interested to see how to potentially make software engineer-tier salaries without having to work for another company? (Note: I also started with nothing. No mentors, no following, no existing profile, no paid advertising, etc.). Edit : If you'…
Of course other developers are interested in that. That's such a leading question that you risk tripping some people's BS meter. But still ... yes, definitely interested.
Yeah. Agree with you. Sounds like "Do you know how to make money on my online blog? Use blue host "
Re: Ask HN: Successful one-person online businesses?
#125I'm not sure if this qualifies as an "online business", but I started an ISP in November '15. It's also not entirely "one-person". I am the sole founder, but I do hire part-time help on occasion if I'm swamped. It started off as a WISP and has finally grown to the point where we are beginning to deploy fiber. The site is https://nepafiber.com I still work full-time as a systems engineer, but the business started brin…
That's fantastic! I'm not too far from you (Lake Wallenpaupack region) and I've always wanted to start a WISP, but the lack of housing density out here makes it less than economical =(
Re: Ask HN: Successful one-person online businesses?
#126I'm not sure if this qualifies as an "online business", but I started an ISP in November '15. It's also not entirely "one-person". I am the sole founder, but I do hire part-time help on occasion if I'm swamped. It started off as a WISP and has finally grown to the point where we are beginning to deploy fiber. The site is https://nepafiber.com I still work full-time as a systems engineer, but the business started brin…
Can you expand on this? How do you compete with AT&T/Google? Are you pretty much on business because AT&T/Goog/TWC are not serving in your area? Can you do summary of how you grow the business if it's not too much? Really curious about all the logistics. Best of luck!!
> Are you pretty much on business because AT&T/Goog/TWC are not serving in your area?
That's it exactly. Prior to me, the only service available in the area was Verizon DSL or Cable (40 Down/2 Up).
Re: Ask HN: Successful one-person online businesses?
#127I run an ecommerce store from Shopify which fulfills the orders by drop-shipping through AliExpress.
This is definitely doable for one person, and it isn't technically challenging for a software developer--but the hardest part (at least for me) is marketing, creating content, advertising, and so on.
Actually running a Shopify store and fulfilling by drop-shipping is simple. I would definitely recommend that as a good place to start, one person can do it.
Re: Ask HN: Successful one-person online businesses?
#128Two years ago I learnt new language (Scala) and wanted to find real problems to work on. So I built DocsApp[1] as real-world project as well as trying build profitable SaaS. Few months ago I plan to sell off DocsApp, but I got low ball offer because low revenue. Then I decided to refocus DocsApp and continue to build it. I wouldn't say DocsApp very successful, but it is getting successful now. [1]: https://www.docsap…
Thanks for sharing! Your product looks quite useful, but it looks like perhaps English isn't your first language? The grammar is a bit awkward in several places, and some things are pluralized when they shouldn't be. It doesn't bother me, but it might turn some potential customers away. If it would help, I'd be happy to go through the site and provide some suggestions about slight changes you could make. I'd do it fo…
Thanks for the feedback! English is not my first language and I definitely need improve my English!
You can give suggestions and I will update accordingly. You can email hi at docsapp.io to request life time free plan from me :)
Re: Ask HN: Successful one-person online businesses?
#129Earlier quoted context omitted.
Why people share their revenues? Every product can be copied. If you know revenue, you know what product you should copy.
Having an idea for a business, and successfully executing on a business, are two very, very, very different things.
to be exact -> very * 1000
Re: Ask HN: Successful one-person online businesses?
#130Earlier quoted context omitted.
this was cool until it got a little clickbait-y plug
The style of having checkboxes next to very obviously positive statements feels really disingenuous. "Urge for the freedom to travel and work anywhere" - of course that would be nice. Maybe I'm too cynical.
Active statements like that work really well. I agree with you, but as people building companies it is a choice to do what works or do what feels best to us.