I think it is doable. I write a few desktop apps (text editor) for OS X, Windows, Linux, iPad and I have a few games in the app store with more coming. Some days I pull my hair out from the stress but overall I am happy writing the products.
Ask HN: Is the concept of a one-person software shop still viable?
81–90 of 165 posts
Re: Ask HN: Is the concept of a one-person software shop still viable?
#82Earlier quoted context omitted.
I went after the hair stylist market for three months as part of The Foundation. I quickly came to the realization that it was not a good market for the simple reason that the owners of hair saloons like to cut hair. Because of this they are very hard to get on the phone. One key for any potential SaaS market is to make sure you have a way to reach that market. Make sure they are on email or social media in large num…
Thanks. Yes, it's not enough for there to be a need. You also have to think about how you'll reach prospects. Stylists and salon owners aren't on the computer all day every day and they don't like to take phone calls from salespeople. They're very expensive and/or time-consuming to reach. A solo bootstrapper almost by definition has very little time or money, so salons are a very bad match for the capabilities of sol…
Funny, two years ago I built an MVP for the same market/problem with a couple of friends. It helped us understand the problem and was very MVP (3 man weeks of work all in).
We concluded very quickly that the problem is reaching the audience. We did have a strategy, but the impending arrival of babies means that the entire thing was put on ice.
It's tempting to revisit the niche because, at least if our numbers are correct, we have a real chance of being able to reach the niche whilst keeping the CAS manageable.
Re: Ask HN: Is the concept of a one-person software shop still viable?
#83Earlier quoted context omitted.
I went in 2012, and it was $500. The tickets sell out, so just sign up for their email list.
Thanks for the info. I just figured out that you have to start "registration" to get the prices which they currently have pegged at $699 plus $59 for a significant other to tag along. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/microconf-starter-edition-2017-...
I attended the session on "How to create your own revenue source though conferences: tips and tricks for closing the deal" and the technique of getting information about the buyer before they have a chance to walk away when presented with the cost was one of the main bullets.
Re: Ask HN: Is the concept of a one-person software shop still viable?
#84I'll add something I wish I had realized several years ago: build a SaaS is not the only path to a product business, and for a solo founder, it's (in my opinion) probably not a very good path. I spent 5 years trying to get a micro ISV off the ground which made scheduling software for hair salons. It was a terrible idea for a large number of reasons (described in detail here: https://www.jasonswett.net/im-shutting-dow…
Word. I started my current SaaS with the goal of working 10hrs a week and making 15k a month. I'm getting close to my monthly revenue goal but if I'm not sleeping, I'm working. I don't regret it. I'm enjoying the challenge now but it wasn't what I had thought I was getting myself into. I truly underestimated the gravity of emails and support requests. As a one man shop, it can grind entire days to a halt. Passive inf…
Didn't you mix up the goal and the result?
As a fellow (though happy) SaaS owner I'm trying to imagine being in your shoes. My goal is spending my time on something (~a problem) that interests me and hearing that customers benefit from what I offer. I think that is the awesome part of it.
This results in freedom and earning money, among other things. I don't earn as much as you but I care very little as long as I can do the above. Obviously you need to be able to cover your expenses, but that's another story.
I couldn't imagine starting this with the goal of working as little as possible while getting paid as much as possible. I don't know if that is what you are saying, but I hear this sometimes.
Am I getting too philosophical about it?
Re: Ask HN: Is the concept of a one-person software shop still viable?
#85Yes. I am my boss's only employee, and I only work part-time while studying. Before he hired me, it was just him. We develop software for the real estate industry for property management and trust accounting. We have one major client that we work with directly, and we have a specific version of our software that we only supply to them. We also have a partnership with another company overseas who we license our software to, while they handle client relations and support.
It appears to working out quite well for him, as he is currently on holiday overseas.
Re: Ask HN: Is the concept of a one-person software shop still viable?
#86Running solo doing around $750k/year on a desktop app. The market is so huge and so many niches to filll. Make something you can sell for $50-300 with upgrades once in a while and set up a simple shop. It has never been easier to develop desktop software. If I was going to start this route today I'd 100% make an electron app and try to address and already large market that has stagnated or has shitty entrenched playe…
Congrats on your success! A few questions...
Why electron over native?
How large in scope is your program?
How large in scope was your program when you first started?
Is it just one program and domain or have you diversified to different areas?
Re: Ask HN: Is the concept of a one-person software shop still viable?
#87I'm going to post a contrarian viewpoint that unless your product is self-contained and it can continue on without you if you are hit by a truck or even acqui-hired for top $, I will avoid you. Too many pay apps and even games with DLC have gone poof in recent years because of the latter situation or because the cost of maintaining the DLC no longer justified itself.
One cannot build a company with the expectation that everyone will use your product. There are always people who will find a reason not to work with you. You have to aim for the majority, not the exceptions.
If everyone felt like you did, it is a deal-killer. But you need to do enough research to know whether or not that is true before giving it any weight in your decision making processes.
Re: Ask HN: Is the concept of a one-person software shop still viable?
#88I recently tried to become my own ISV. I produced the first draft of https://conciergeapp.uk/ within 2 weeks after a chat with someone who is in the Facilities Management (FM) section. Initial interest in the market looked good and I had plans to make a modular platform. After some refinement etc, I totally failed to sell it. I tried so hard but it was exhausting. Then I got a regular job, but still.. this does appea…
saw the website and got one question: who is your market target?
The target market is companies providing facilities management services to residential apartment blocks.
Re: Ask HN: Is the concept of a one-person software shop still viable?
#89Earlier quoted context omitted.
Thanks for the info. I just figured out that you have to start "registration" to get the prices which they currently have pegged at $699 plus $59 for a significant other to tag along. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/microconf-starter-edition-2017-...
I attended the session on "How to create your own revenue source though conferences: tips and tricks for closing the deal" and the technique of getting information about the buyer before they have a chance to walk away when presented with the cost was one of the main bullets.
So, overall, would you say it's worth the price? Where you able to take the advice and translate that into money? I've never been to a conference before. So I'm having trouble justifying the cost to be honest.
Re: Ask HN: Is the concept of a one-person software shop still viable?
#90Running solo doing around $750k/year on a desktop app. The market is so huge and so many niches to filll. Make something you can sell for $50-300 with upgrades once in a while and set up a simple shop. It has never been easier to develop desktop software. If I was going to start this route today I'd 100% make an electron app and try to address and already large market that has stagnated or has shitty entrenched playe…
Congrats on your success! A few questions... Why electron over native? How large in scope is your program? How large in scope was your program when you first started? Is it just one program and domain or have you diversified to different areas?
> Why electron over native?
Presumably to go cross-platform with less effort.