The Big Plan

When I was 15, I started my first job as a web developer. I worked for a local computer repair shop, and the clients needed websites, so I designed and built them. I built my first CMS, which my boss dubbed IWOS: Internet Web Online System. I guess that I already learned at that time that having a boss can suck. Fast forward 11 years later, I have had numerous development jobs. For the last few years, I’ve been a freelance developer. About 3 months ago, I decided to move to Berlin to start a startup with somebody else, which unfortunately didn’t work out (I might blog more on that later). However, going back to freelance development doesn’t feel quite right, I really have the urge to do work that lasts longer, to create products instead of doing projects.

I’m now in a position where I can do that: I have some money saved up, have front-end and back-end skills, can develop iOS appliactions, have read a lot about startups and products, don’t have big commitments, not planning to start a family soon, don’t own a house: there really is no more reason to procrastinate longer . I have a lot of ideas for applications, and going to release my first application soon (an app that tracks your location permanently, stores it in a database and lets you export all the data via email). I will use this blog to update on my progress.

My goal is to set up multiple passive sources of income by selling software. Specifically, I am going to focus on building iOS apps, which I think is the most interesting platform now. In 9 months from now, I want to be able to live off of the income I am making by selling software. I want to have at least 3 products that are available for sale . Until I reach that goal, I am going to make sure my savings will not fall below a certain threshold by doing some freelance jobs. Another important goal is to stay location independent : I am now living in Berlin, but am going to Spain for a few months, and maybe to a different continent after that.

For me, the most difficult thing will be actually shipping software. I can start really quickly on a project and crank out a lot of code in very little time, but when it comes to polishing the details and doing the non-programming work I tend to slack off. Therefore, by making this public commitment I hope to push myself a little, and also inspire other people. By the way, my biggest source of inspiration is the Hacker News community. 

Stay tuned for more news and product releases.

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