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Sebastian Scaparro
2,716 PointsWhat is the way to go for me?
I have a dream that I have started to make a reality now. I am no stranger to hard work so I understand that it will take time and money and lots of efforts. But this is it: I want to have my own company and that company should be global, it should only require a computer, a telephone and internet. It should not be dependent on any location or time.
I have no hard skills in programming, web development, backend, frontend. I'm not a doctor, nor a lawyer nor a number guy. I don't have a bachelor's degree, I don't have a master or any of that sort of academic skills.
What I'm good at (according to me) is sales, project management, strategies, start-ups, service, people person. I know 4 languages and basically I'm a doer and organizer at the same time. I have had some companies before and used to call myself an entrepreneur.
Now to the question at hand and the reason I find myself here at teamtreehouse;
My thought is to learn a decent amount of frontend development, (HTML, CSS and Javascript) while I keep my job and save as much as I can, then make my own homepage. Secondly build some web pages for others for free and just for practicing and getting referrals and real-life demos. After that I will find some companies that needs new web pages, build them, get paid for them and then quit my job once I have enough money saved up and some clients and income.
BUT, Is this really the way? Do you guys have other recommendations based on experience? One way could be to only dedicate myself to the hard selling and finding clients and then outsource and project manage the people making the hard development? This would require a lot more clients to really live on it? On the other hand I wouldn't have to compete against guys that have been doing this for several years? I would just give them projects and take a cut?! I guess you know what I'm after here. Just your thoughts and input please.
What is the best way, skill and business for a guy that wishes nothing else than to work from wherever and whenever?
1 Answer
webdesignertroy
Front End Web Development Techdegree Graduate 14,718 PointsI suppose anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
Firstly, the question you’re asking is going to be lost among the worker bees in this forum. They’re all looking for a regular 9 to 9. You won’t get much of a response to your question.
Secondly, the problem with tech is that it changes from year to year. If you're starting to save money for this kind of business and the process of saving is going to take years, save first and have this very same discussion later. You'll realize the tech scenery will change drastically after just 2 years.
To answer your question, if you have the gift of "gab" and can network easily, then you are gold and should follow your passion. I recommend, when you're ready, you take deep-dive (introductory) courses in all aspects of web development (frontend, backend, data science and product management). Get a gist of what the industry, economy and times has to offer.
After you have a general grasp of how things work -- Network. Get a group of experts together: Today, it will be a frontend developer, a backend developer, a web designer (graphic designer), etc.; Tomorrow, it could be another set of individuals. With that group: (1) Brainstorm to establish what companies, that may need your services, want. (2) Put together a business plan. (3) Shop around to target companies (i.e., cold calls or cold visits). Repeat this process until you know you have a business plan that may succeed.
Once you get a workable idea, get incorporated, go to the bank and "get a loan." (Alternatively, get an investor.) Don't use the money that YOU saved. That money is your collateral and backup.
I recommend that you: Do be the pitch man of your business. Don’t try and master anything except running a business, networking and pitching good ideas. Do become a "jack of all trades” -- You will need to master the industry’s lingo and be able to understand ideas and trends. Do let your hired experts work exclusively on your products and services.
This is as far as my experience has taken me and I'm still learning. Hopefully, this is helpful.
Sebastian Scaparro
2,716 PointsSebastian Scaparro
2,716 PointsHi Webdesignertroy, I thank you very much for taking the time to respond and share your valuable experience and knowledge.
I think that you are right concerning many aspects. Specially the part of not using my own money. This is something I have already learnt the hard way and forgot to apply from the start this time. The question is what kind of investor would make an investment for a small business which much probably won't give a high return of investment.
I would love to have a 30 min chat with you if that is possible? As you can see there seem to be no (as you said) other here with this kind of experience or thoughts, and Im working hard on learning from others with more experience and putting together an advisory board. If that is a possibility please send me an email to: sebastian.scaparro@gmail.com or give me your contact info and I'll be in touch with you :)
Kind regards and merry christmas, Sebastian