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Start for freeThe Unlikely Beginning of a Solo Tech Entrepreneur
In 2021, after being fired from a software engineer position, I embarked on a solitary journey to design, code, and market my own websites. Fast forward to today, I have created 23 different websites, ranging from simple apps to complex AI tools. This journey has taught me the importance of self-reliance in the realms of coding, design, and marketing. Here, I'll share the insights from each project, including revenue details and the stories behind the three websites that were acquired.
Mood to Movie: The Viral Movie Recommendation App
The first application I developed post-termination was Mood to Movie, a movie recommendation tool based on the user's current mood. Despite not monetizing it, the app saw 100,000 visitors due to a viral post on ION news and subsequent social media shares. A humorous inclusion of a 'horny mood' option garnered particular attention, showcasing the power of organic word-of-mouth.
Habit Garden: Merging Habits with Gaming
Inspired by the book Atomic Habits, I created Habit Garden, a habit tracker that rewards consistency with a virtual garden. Priced at $9 per month or $54 per year, it attracted 14,000 users. A successful launch on Hacker News and the removal of a free plan significantly increased revenue, eventually leading to a $10,000 sale.
Books Calculator and the Power of Programmatic SEO
With a passion for encouraging reading, I developed the Books Calculator, a tool to help users visualize their reading goals. Despite not generating revenue, it achieved steady traffic growth through programmatic SEO, targeting specific book-related keywords.
50 Hacks: Crowdsourcing Productivity Tips
50 Hacks presented a platform for sharing productivity hacks, gaining 200,000 visitors and $350 in advertisement revenue. Its success highlighted the effectiveness of community engagement and viral marketing.
Going Mobile with Body Crush and Decision Game
Body Crush and Decision Game extended my app portfolio to mobile platforms, emphasizing social accountability and playful decision-making. Though Body Crush was a free app, Decision Game indirectly supported my other projects by engaging users through gamification.
Gamify List and the Directory of Gamified Apps
Recognizing a trend in gamification, I created Gamify List, a directory of apps that use gaming to achieve real-life goals. This project consolidated my experience in creating engaging user experiences and demonstrated the SEO value of niche directories.
Visualize Habit: A New Year Resolution Success
Visualize Habit became one of my most successful launches, capitalizing on New Year resolutions. It exemplified the impact of timely, relatable content on user engagement and acquisition.
Heroit and Naval AI: Exploring New Ventures
Heroit and Naval AI explored new territories, from fitness gamification to AI-driven chatbots. These projects underscored the importance of innovation and adaptation in technology entrepreneurship.
Indie Page: Showcasing Entrepreneurs
With Indie Page, I provided a platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their projects, generating over $1,000 monthly. This endeavor confirmed the demand for personal branding tools in the digital age.
Mech Ling: AI-Driven Website Generation
Mech Ling leveraged AI to automate website creation, earning $15,000 before being sold for $35,000. This venture into AI demonstrated the burgeoning market for AI applications and the potential for substantial returns on innovative ideas.
Workbook PDF and Ship Fast: Expanding the Portfolio
Workbook PDF introduced language learning workbooks, while Ship Fast offered a codebase for rapid startup development. Both projects highlighted the scalability of digital products and the efficiency of leveraging existing assets.
The Evolution from Developer to Entrepreneur
This journey from a fired employee to a successful solo entrepreneur underscores the transformative power of resilience, creativity, and strategic thinking in the tech industry. Each project, whether a financial success or a learning experience, contributed to an overarching narrative of growth and innovation.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, my story exemplifies the potential of turning setbacks into opportunities and the value of diversification in building a sustainable digital business.
