Solo Web Dev

After years of failed startup ideas, I tried something different. Instead of building on a hunch, I let AI run a full market analysis to find a validated problem worth solving. Here's what I learned and how you might do the same. #buildinpublic

If you're stuck on what to build, try this approach. Let AI do the heavy research -- but push it hard. Ask for sources. Validate technical feasibility. Check legal risks. Make it earn your confidence. Then build with conviction. I'll be posting updates as I go!

After years of failed startup ideas, I tried something different. Instead of building on a hunch, I let AI run a full market analysis to find a validated problem worth solving. Here's what I learned and how you might do the same. #buildinpublic

Am I 100% certain this will work? No. This isn't a slam dunk. But I'm more confident than I've ever been starting something new. The research is solid, the problem is real, and I've personally felt the pain. That's as good as it gets before you start building.

After years of failed startup ideas, I tried something different. Instead of building on a hunch, I let AI run a full market analysis to find a validated problem worth solving. Here's what I learned and how you might do the same. #buildinpublic

The data was compelling: $9,000/minute average downtime cost, $3.3B TAM, and most importantly -- Reddit full of engineers asking "Does anyone have a tool for this?" The problem wasn't theoretical. It was validated by real people with real pain.

After years of failed startup ideas, I tried something different. Instead of building on a hunch, I let AI run a full market analysis to find a validated problem worth solving. Here's what I learned and how you might do the same. #buildinpublic

Next question: "Why wouldn't a big company like Atlassian just build this?" The AI explained the Innovator's Dilemma: the market is too small for them to care ($5-10M is life-changing for me, a rounding error for them), and their platforms are too horizontal.

After years of failed startup ideas, I tried something different. Instead of building on a hunch, I let AI run a full market analysis to find a validated problem worth solving. Here's what I learned and how you might do the same. #buildinpublic

But I didn't stop there. I asked: "Is this even technically feasible?" The AI researched GitHub, Notion, and Confluence APIs -- rate limits, webhooks, authentication. It came back with a full technical feasibility report. Answer: Yes, very feasible.

After years of failed startup ideas, I tried something different. Instead of building on a hunch, I let AI run a full market analysis to find a validated problem worth solving. Here's what I learned and how you might do the same. #buildinpublic

That was actually reassuring. It wasn't just telling me what I wanted to hear. It was giving it to me straight. And that's the benefit of this approach -- no ego, no confirmation bias, just cold, hard research.

After years of failed startup ideas, I tried something different. Instead of building on a hunch, I let AI run a full market analysis to find a validated problem worth solving. Here's what I learned and how you might do the same. #buildinpublic

The AI came back with 7 initial ideas. But I didn't just pick one. I asked it to validate each with real evidence: Reddit threads, G2 reviews, market data. It provided actual links -- not vague claims. I could verify everything myself.

After years of failed startup ideas, I tried something different. Instead of building on a hunch, I let AI run a full market analysis to find a validated problem worth solving. Here's what I learned and how you might do the same. #buildinpublic

First, a caveat: ChatGPT won't cut it for this. You need an AI that can independently research the web, pull real sources, and come back with evidence -- not just confident-sounding hallucinations. I used Manus AI and gladly paid the $40/month for this.

Last week I put in 70 hours of work (excluding working through the previous weekend) because it was literally the only way to meet an insane timeline. I was hoping that it was a one-time slog that would cause things to get better. Instead, they just want more of the same with unrealistic deadlines.

This left me with zero time for my indie hacking, which left me even more frustrated and drained. Something inside me broke. No more pouring my heart into my day job. All they’ll get from me now is an hours-for-dollars trade. No more “above and beyond”. This is how innovation (for them) dies.

Last week I put in 70 hours of work (excluding working through the previous weekend) because it was literally the only way to meet an insane timeline. I was hoping that it was a one-time slog that would cause things to get better. Instead, they just want more of the same with unrealistic deadlines.

One interesting takeaway for me is that I’m grateful for the salary I currently have. I had a feeling that I was paid higher that the typical salary for my position, but this confirms it with more than anecdotal data

Can I get your brutally honest opinion of my POC? Is it useful enough to be exciting to you? Why or why not? Especially if you are a software engineer or manager, I would love your feedback, whether good or bad! #buildinpublic dgaxik927ls9y.cloudfront.net

And managers or companies can use this data to benchmark new positions they want to offer against current salary trends based on their specific criteria (location, seniority, tech used, etc) #buildinpublic dgaxik927ls9y.cloudfront.net

Can I get your brutally honest opinion of my POC? Is it useful enough to be exciting to you? Why or why not? Especially if you are a software engineer or manager, I would love your feedback, whether good or bad! #buildinpublic dgaxik927ls9y.cloudfront.net

The best code is no code at all. If you must write code, keep it as simple (architecturally and syntactically) as possible. The fewer lines of [readable/maintainable] code, the better.

My advice for anyone who feels like they don’t have a good grasp on design patterns: just search “<your favorite language> <specific design pattern you want to learn better>” (for example “ruby factory design pattern”) on YouTube.