How I replaced my 9-5 with a side project

Key Concepts

• Side projects as a path to full-time entrepreneurship
• Content blocking and intentional internet use
• SaaS business model
• Customer acquisition strategies
• Content marketing
• Audience building
• Validation of ideas
• Tech stack for solopreneurs
• Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
• Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)

Ben's Journey: From Side Hustle to Full-Time Business

Ben, a software developer, shares his journey of turning a side project, Tech Lockdown, into a full-time business. Tech Lockdown is a platform that allows users to block websites and apps to promote intentional internet usage. Ben's story highlights the importance of solving a personal problem, focusing on customer acquisition, and validating ideas before investing significant time and resources.

Tech Lockdown: Functionality and Business Model

Tech Lockdown allows users to schedule website and app blocking using categories or keywords. It works by creating a VPN connection that filters internet access on devices. The target audience is adults seeking to manage unwanted online habits. The business model is a SaaS subscription with a 14-day free trial, followed by a $15 monthly or $10 annual plan.

Failed Side Projects: Lessons Learned

Ben discusses his previous failed side projects, including a lead generation platform for freelance developers and a landing page builder. He learned the importance of focusing on the business model and customer acquisition rather than getting bogged down in details like website design. He also realized the need to avoid overcomplicating projects and burning out before launch.

The Genesis of Tech Lockdown

The idea for Tech Lockdown originated from Ben's personal need to manage his internet usage during the shift to remote work in 2020. He created a system for himself and shared it in a YouTube video and Reddit post. The overwhelming response and requests for consultation indicated a strong demand for such a solution.

From Layoff to Full-Time Entrepreneur

After being laid off from his full-time job, Ben faced the decision of returning to a W2 position or pursuing Tech Lockdown full-time. Despite the initial income from Tech Lockdown being only $3,000, he decided to take the risk and doubled down on the project. This decision proved successful, as Tech Lockdown grew by 5x since then.

Key Differences: Tech Lockdown vs. Previous Projects

Tech Lockdown differed from Ben's previous projects in several key aspects:

• Passion and Problem-Solving: It stemmed from a genuine personal need rather than a desire to create a business.
• Focus on Core Functionality: Ben avoided overcomplicating the project with unnecessary features or design elements. He didn't even have a logo until he had hundreds of customers.
• Audience Engagement: He built an audience interested in the topic before launching the product, providing valuable feedback and motivation.

Time Management and Productivity

Ben shares his approach to building a business while working a full-time job:

• Early Mornings: He prioritized development tasks requiring focus in the early morning hours (5:30-8:30 AM).
• Evenings for Marketing: He dedicated evenings to marketing tasks that didn't require as much concentration.
• Focused Marketing Strategy: He chose a marketing channel that he found energizing and could consistently execute, which was content marketing.

Advice for Aspiring Side Project Builders

Ben advises aspiring side project builders to:

• Prioritize Customer Acquisition: Ensure a viable plan for acquiring customers before leaving a full-time job.
• Pursue Passion Projects: Work on projects they are genuinely passionate about and would work on even without monetary gain.
• Don't Overcomplicate: Focus on the simplest version of the product to validate the idea.

Finding a Good Side Project Idea

Ben's playbook for finding a good side project idea includes:

• Simple Viable Product: Choose an idea that can be built into a simple, complete version for quick validation.
• Audience First: Build an audience interested in the topic before developing the product.
• Genuine Passion: Select an idea that is genuinely exciting and motivating.

Tech Lockdown: Numbers and Growth

Tech Lockdown has achieved significant traction:

• 2 Million Visitors: Over 2 million people have found the site organically in the last 2 years.
• 1,300 Customers: The platform has 1,300 paying customers.
• $15,000 MRR: It generates over $15,000 in monthly recurring revenue.
• 20,000 Email Contacts: The mailing list consists of around 20,000 contacts.

Growth and Marketing Strategy

Ben's core growth strategy revolved around creating well-researched and helpful content, such as a detailed guide on converting an iPhone into a "dumb phone." He also developed a subtle approach to promoting content on Reddit, focusing on providing value and then referencing the YouTube video or guide.

Content Creation Framework

Ben emphasizes the importance of authenticity in content creation. He advises against pretending to be a large company when operating as a solopreneur and encourages using "I" instead of "we" in writing.

Tech Stack

Ben's tech stack decisions were driven by time constraints. He used:

• Supabase: For the database and authentication.
• SvelteKit: A simpler web application framework.
• Vercel: For hosting and continuous deployment.
• Mailgun and Elastic Email: For email marketing.
• Google Gemini: For AI assistance.
• Ahrefs (light plan): For SEO and keyword research.
• Plausible Analytics: For privacy-focused website analytics.

He estimates a 70% profit margin is achievable with this tech stack.

Key Learnings

Ben learned that making money with a side project is not as difficult as building a viable business. He emphasizes the importance of a smart strategy with a low customer acquisition cost to ensure sustainability and scalability.

Advice to Younger Ben

Ben would advise his younger self to avoid overcomplicating things and focus on building the simplest version of the product to prove the concept first. He warns against getting bogged down in details, which leads to burnout and prevents the product from ever being shipped.

Conclusion

Ben's story demonstrates that anyone can turn a side project into a full-time business with the right approach. The key takeaways include solving a personal problem, focusing on customer acquisition, validating ideas early, and prioritizing simplicity over complexity. His journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to escape the 9-to-5 grind and build something of their own.