Turning 28, Here Are 5 Lessons I Wish I Knew at 18

Martin Delannoy — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 06:10:12 +0000

1. Know Yourself: The Three Pillars of Life – Security, Money, Freedom

Forget balance. You can’t have all three. Life forces you to choose two: security, money, or freedom. The sooner you accept this, the sooner you can make the right choices.

For me, it was a no-brainer: money and freedom. That’s why I built SaaS businesses. They generate cash flow while giving me the freedom to live on my terms. If you want stability, get a job. If you want money and freedom, build something scalable. Simple.

Most people wander through life without knowing what truly drives them. They chase shadows and wonder why they’re unhappy. Take the time to ask yourself: What do I actually need? Then, build your life around that answer.

2. Build Businesses with Two Goals: Cash Flow & Valuation

Most entrepreneurs screw this up. They either chase short-term cash or only focus on the long-term exit. Big mistake. You need both.

Cash Flow pays for your lifestyle. It’s what keeps you alive, fuels your failures, and funds your next moves. If your business doesn’t generate enough monthly revenue to sustain you, it’s a glorified hobby.

Valuation is your future. It’s what buys your house, secures your family’s future, and funds your most ambitious project: life itself.

The goal? Build something that spits out cash every month while increasing in value. Then, when the time is right, sell it, cash out, and move to the next level.

3. Never Feel Guilty About Taking Vacations

For years, I thought hustling 24/7 was the only way. Then I realized something: my best ideas, my most strategic moves, came when I stepped back.

I need three months off per year to perform at my best. Not because I’m lazy, but because creativity doesn’t come from staring at a screen all day. It comes from detaching, resetting, and letting your mind breathe. When I take time off, I come back sharper, more creative, and ready to win. Find your rhythm and respect it—burnout is for amateurs.

4. In E-world, There Are Artists and Craftsmen

If you want to build something great, understand this: there are artists and craftsmen.

Artists create, imagine, and push boundaries.

Craftsmen execute, refine, and bring visions to life.

The best products come from a strong duo: an artist with vision and a craftsman who makes it real. The moment you try to do both, you water down your strengths. Know your role, find your match, and respect the dynamic. And above all: leave your ego at the door.

5. Invest in Symbols – They Are Your Legacy

I used to think luxury watches, rings, and jewelry were pointless. Then I asked myself: What will I leave behind?

Symbols carry meaning. A Rolex isn’t just a watch—it’s a milestone. A signet ring isn’t just jewelry—it marks an achievement.

Sold your company? Buy a watch. Hit your first million in cash, get a ring. These objects aren’t about flexing; they’re reminders of the journey, physical markers of success. Years from now, your kids will see them and ask, “What’s the story behind this?” And you'll tell them.

Memories fade, but symbols endure.

I learned all this the hard way. If you’re 18 and reading this, don’t waste a decade figuring it out. Life isn’t about playing safe—it’s about making the right bets, knowing what drives you, and building something that lasts.

Your move.

Lessons from My 2 SaaS Exits 🔑 Fueling My Next Big Exits

Martin Delannoy — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 09:58:39 +0000

Sharing what I wish I had known before selling my 2 SaaS — Selling a SaaS isn’t just about the numbers. It’s a deep dive into who you are, how you perceive success, and the fine line between ego and purpose. After selling two SaaS companies, here’s what I’ve learned—without the BS.

(yes, I got the microacquire cap and tee shirt (lol))

You Learn About Yourself

The biggest lesson? The stark difference between loving having money and loving earning money.

Let me tell you: when that wire transfer hit my account, it sparked zero emotion. None. Not even a twitch of excitement. You know what did? That very first sale—seeing someone validate my idea, trust it, and pay for it. Nothing compares to the thrill of seeing your vision take shape and prove itself in the real world.

Selling a company isn’t just a transaction. It’s not just a website or a piece of software; it’s years of your life, poured into an idea. It’s the late nights, the obsessive focus, the dopamine rushes, and the crashes. Selling is like saying goodbye to a part of yourself. Honestly, it’s selling your baby. You feel the cut, no matter how much the check says.

It Boosts Your Ego, But Not Only That

Selling a business shifts how people see you. Suddenly, your arguments weigh more, your advice sounds smarter, and everyone’s whispering: “This person can build and sell. They’ve got it.”

It’s a validation of competence, a pat on the back for pulling off something many only dream of. But beware: an inflated ego can quickly spiral out of control. Let the validation empower you, but keep your feet on the ground. No one likes the guy who can’t stop talking about “that one time I sold my SaaS.”

The Cash Flow Headache: rent or lump sum?

More money, more problems (it’s not just a catchy lyric.) A fat payout brings its own set of headaches:

Stress skyrockets. Suddenly, you’re responsible for a bigger lifestyle, larger decisions, and riskier moves.
Spending spirals. That payout makes you feel like a king, and kings delegate everything. Tasks you used to handle? Outsourced. Costs climb fast when you start over-delegating just to enjoy more “free time.”
Excess is tempting. Living the dream is fine—until the dream becomes wasteful indulgence. That balance between enjoying life and letting it consume you? A tightrope walk.

Let’s not forget the existential question: What’s next? If you sold just to stroke your ego or see your name in the papers, congrats, you’ll enjoy about 48 hours of fame. Then it’s gone. Fame fades fast. Without a clear purpose after the sale, you’ll quickly realize that money doesn’t fill the void.

And yes, Uncle Ben from Spider-Man was spot on:

“With great power comes great responsibility.”

Having more money is power, but it also means bigger responsibilities—both for managing it and using it wisely. It’s easy to slip into a different kind of matrix: not the 9-to-5 grind, but the pressure to prove yourself through material things. Ask yourself: why escape one matrix just to get trapped in another?

Bootstrapper’s Dilemma: More Money, More Options

As someone who bootstrapped everything, that extra cash is both a blessing and a trap. It can:

Make fundraising feel effortless. You’re negotiating from a place of strength now.
Allow you to build faster by outsourcing more. But here’s the rub: with more money, you’re prone to inflate expenses unnecessarily, losing that scrappy, resourceful edge.

Selling Isn’t the Endgame

Selling your SaaS isn’t about the money, the fame, or even the validation. It’s about what comes next. If you’ve got a plan, the payout is a launchpad. If you don’t, it’s just another weight to carry.

So, think twice before you sell. Not about the number, but about the reason.

DEV Community: Martin Delannoy