I've been programming since the Commodore 64.
That's not a flex — it's context. I've watched this industry evolve from floppy disks to cloud deployments, from BASIC to TypeScript, from "what's the internet?" to AI everything.
And for most of those decades, I was building products for other people.
The Freelance Trap
Freelancing has been good to me. Interesting problems, great clients, and the flexibility to live abroad (currently based in Thailand 🇹🇭). I'm not complaining.
But there's a ceiling. You trade time for money. Every project ends. And you never build equity — just invoices.
The worst part? I kept having ideas for products I wanted to build, but client work always came first.
The Shift
In 2020, I finally did something about it. I started NerdSnipe Inc as an umbrella for my own products.
Not one moonshot bet — a portfolio of smaller bets. iOS apps, web apps, AI-powered tools. Ship fast, learn faster, let the market decide what works.
I still take on client work (old habits die hard, and honestly, recurring revenue from products takes time to build). But the balance is shifting.
What I've Learned So Far
1. Decades of experience is a superpower
I can ship faster now than I could at 25. Not because I type faster, but because I've made most of the mistakes already. I know which corners to cut and which to protect.
2. Building for yourself is terrifying
When a client's product fails, it's their problem. When YOUR product fails, it hits different. But at least you own the upside.
3. The indie maker community is incredible
I wish I'd found this world sooner. People sharing revenue numbers, growth tactics, failures — it's like a support group and a masterclass combined.
What's Next
I'm documenting this journey. The wins, the failures, the revenue (or lack thereof), the lessons.
If you're a developer thinking about making the jump from client work to products — follow along. I'll share what actually works and what doesn't.
And if you're already on this path, I'd love to connect. Drop a comment or find me at nerdsnipe.cc.
Here's to building things that are actually ours. 🚀
Top comments (2)
I have a project I need help or collaborate can you help?
Sure... how can I help?