Start a SaaS From $0 in 2026

So, you want to start a SaaS, but you So, you want to start a SaaS, but you don't have any money. No savings, no don't have any money. No savings, no don't have any money. No savings, no trust fund, no venture capital. You're trust fund, no venture capital. You're trust fund, no venture capital. You're probably working a day job, and this is probably working a day job, and this is probably working a day job, and this is a nights and weekends thing. I've got a nights and weekends thing. I've got a nights and weekends thing. I've got good news. That's how most successful good news. That's how most successful good news. That's how most successful SaaS companies actually start, including SaaS companies actually start, including SaaS companies actually start, including mine. I'm Rob Walling. I've started mine. I'm Rob Walling. I've started mine. I'm Rob Walling. I've started multiple SaaS companies, all multiple SaaS companies, all multiple SaaS companies, all bootstrapped. I've invested in more than bootstrapped. I've invested in more than bootstrapped. I've invested in more than 230, both privately and through 230, both privately and through 230, both privately and through >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> my SaaS accelerator, Tiny Seed, and I've >> my SaaS accelerator, Tiny Seed, and I've >> my SaaS accelerator, Tiny Seed, and I've written five books on building startups. written five books on building startups. written five books on building startups. And one thing I know, the amount of And one thing I know, the amount of And one thing I know, the amount of money you need to get a SaaS off the money you need to get a SaaS off the money you need to get a SaaS off the ground has never been lower than it is ground has never been lower than it is ground has never been lower than it is right now. Today, I'm walking through right now. Today, I'm walking through right now. Today, I'm walking through exactly what it takes to start a SaaS exactly what it takes to start a SaaS exactly what it takes to start a SaaS company. What costs money, what's free, company. What costs money, what's free, company. What costs money, what's free, how to build without cash, and how to how to build without cash, and how to how to build without cash, and how to find your first customers [music] find your first customers [music] find your first customers [music] on a tiny budget. Almost every first-time founder Almost every first-time founder overestimates how much they need to overestimates how much they need to overestimates how much they need to spend on building the product and spend on building the product and spend on building the product and underestimate how much it costs to get underestimate how much it costs to get underestimate how much it costs to get anyone to care. So, when you don't have anyone to care. So, when you don't have anyone to care. So, when you don't have a product, building the product feels a product, building the product feels a product, building the product feels like the big expense, but it's not. And like the big expense, but it's not. And like the big expense, but it's not. And I'm going to talk more about that in I'm going to talk more about that in I'm going to talk more about that in just a couple minutes. The real expense, just a couple minutes. The real expense, just a couple minutes. The real expense, both in time and potentially money, is both in time and potentially money, is both in time and potentially money, is it's finding people who will pay you for it's finding people who will pay you for it's finding people who will pay you for the thing you built. This is marketing, the thing you built. This is marketing, the thing you built. This is marketing, sales, sometimes we call it sales, sometimes we call it sales, sometimes we call it distribution. It's getting it into the distribution. It's getting it into the distribution. It's getting it into the hands of people who are willing to pay hands of people who are willing to pay hands of people who are willing to pay for it. And when I say this is for it. And when I say this is for it. And when I say this is expensive, it can be money or it can be expensive, it can be money or it can be expensive, it can be money or it can be time, but either way, it costs you time, but either way, it costs you time, but either way, it costs you something. So, if you don't have something. So, if you don't have something. So, if you don't have revenue, don't form an LLC, don't set up revenue, don't form an LLC, don't set up revenue, don't form an LLC, don't set up your bank account, don't order business your bank account, don't order business your bank account, don't order business cards, don't obsess over your logo, cards, don't obsess over your logo, cards, don't obsess over your logo, because you don't have a business yet.

because you don't have a business yet. because you don't have a business yet. If you don't have a paying customer, you If you don't have a paying customer, you If you don't have a paying customer, you actually have a hobby, not a business. actually have a hobby, not a business. actually have a hobby, not a business. Now, obviously, don't take anything Now, obviously, don't take anything Now, obviously, don't take anything someone says in a YouTube video as legal someone says in a YouTube video as legal someone says in a YouTube video as legal advice. If you really want to go set up advice. If you really want to go set up advice. If you really want to go set up an LLC for specific liability reasons, an LLC for specific liability reasons, an LLC for specific liability reasons, you can go do that. But in general, you can go do that. But in general, you can go do that. But in general, setting up a corporate entity, an LLC, setting up a corporate entity, an LLC, setting up a corporate entity, an LLC, an S corp, a C corp, is putting the cart an S corp, a C corp, is putting the cart an S corp, a C corp, is putting the cart before the horse when you have zero before the horse when you have zero before the horse when you have zero people willing to pay you anything. I people willing to pay you anything. I people willing to pay you anything. I see this a lot in applications for my see this a lot in applications for my see this a lot in applications for my B2B SaaS accelerator, Tiny Seed, B2B SaaS accelerator, Tiny Seed, B2B SaaS accelerator, Tiny Seed, founders spending 6 months perfecting founders spending 6 months perfecting founders spending 6 months perfecting the product, dotting all the i's, the product, dotting all the i's, the product, dotting all the i's, setting up the bank accounts, do setting up the bank accounts, do setting up the bank accounts, do crossing the t's, but with zero customer crossing the t's, but with zero customer crossing the t's, but with zero customer conversations. Revenue validates the conversations. Revenue validates the conversations. Revenue validates the business, everything else is theater. >> [music] >> [music] >> If you listed every expense you think >> If you listed every expense you think >> If you listed every expense you think you need to start a SaaS, I could you need to start a SaaS, I could you need to start a SaaS, I could probably cross 80% off the list. Do you probably cross 80% off the list. Do you probably cross 80% off the list. Do you need government filings? As I said, you need government filings? As I said, you need government filings? As I said, you don't need to incorporate yet. In the don't need to incorporate yet. In the don't need to incorporate yet. In the US, you can be a sole proprietorship. I US, you can be a sole proprietorship. I US, you can be a sole proprietorship. I had a sole proprietorship for five or had a sole proprietorship for five or had a sole proprietorship for five or six years. I was doing six figures of six years. I was doing six figures of six years. I was doing six figures of revenue both as a consultant and through revenue both as a consultant and through revenue both as a consultant and through products, and I didn't have an LLC.

products, and I didn't have an LLC. products, and I didn't have an LLC. Again, I'm not making any type of legal Again, I'm not making any type of legal Again, I'm not making any type of legal recommendation about whether you should recommendation about whether you should recommendation about whether you should or should not create a corporate entity, or should not create a corporate entity, or should not create a corporate entity, but realistically, I see so many but realistically, I see so many but realistically, I see so many founders making this mistake of doing founders making this mistake of doing founders making this mistake of doing the things that are easy instead of the the things that are easy instead of the the things that are easy instead of the ones that are complex and uncertain. ones that are complex and uncertain. ones that are complex and uncertain. Most people formalize a corporate entity Most people formalize a corporate entity Most people formalize a corporate entity after they have real revenue. You might after they have real revenue. You might after they have real revenue. You might think you have to pay for payment think you have to pay for payment think you have to pay for payment processing, but there's Stripe. It's processing, but there's Stripe. It's processing, but there's Stripe. It's free to set up, and you only pay once free to set up, and you only pay once free to set up, and you only pay once you get paid. How about education? you get paid. How about education? you get paid. How about education? Learning to do this. YouTube is free, Learning to do this. YouTube is free, Learning to do this. YouTube is free, this channel plus others. Podcasts are this channel plus others. Podcasts are this channel plus others. Podcasts are free. I run a podcast called Startups free. I run a podcast called Startups free. I run a podcast called Startups for the Rest of Us. I have more than 830 for the Rest of Us. I have more than 830 for the Rest of Us. I have more than 830 weekly episodes. I've been recording 52 weekly episodes. I've been recording 52 weekly episodes. I've been recording 52 episodes a year since 2010. There are episodes a year since 2010. There are episodes a year since 2010. There are free book chapters available online, the free book chapters available online, the free book chapters available online, the MicroConf community on Twitter, and MicroConf community on Twitter, and MicroConf community on Twitter, and frankly, there's a lot of really frankly, there's a lot of really frankly, there's a lot of really inexpensive resources, too. Most of my inexpensive resources, too. Most of my inexpensive resources, too. Most of my books are $10 on Kindle or PDF or audio. books are $10 on Kindle or PDF or audio. books are $10 on Kindle or PDF or audio. You might think hosting is expensive. You might think hosting is expensive. You might think hosting is expensive. Vercel has a free tier. Supabase has a Vercel has a free tier. Supabase has a Vercel has a free tier. Supabase has a free tier. AWS, Google Cloud, they both free tier. AWS, Google Cloud, they both free tier. AWS, Google Cloud, they both have startup credits. You can typically have startup credits. You can typically have startup credits. You can typically run an MVP for well under $50 a month.

run an MVP for well under $50 a month. run an MVP for well under $50 a month. Then there are AI coding tools. They Then there are AI coding tools. They Then there are AI coding tools. They have free tiers. They cost 20 bucks a have free tiers. They cost 20 bucks a have free tiers. They cost 20 bucks a month. They're less than most founders month. They're less than most founders month. They're less than most founders spend on coffee. How about your domains? spend on coffee. How about your domains? spend on coffee. How about your domains? What, $10, $15 a year? The total hard What, $10, $15 a year? The total hard What, $10, $15 a year? The total hard dollar cost for a functional MVP can be dollar cost for a functional MVP can be dollar cost for a functional MVP can be under $100 if you're careful and if you under $100 if you're careful and if you under $100 if you're careful and if you do a lot of things yourself. The barrier do a lot of things yourself. The barrier do a lot of things yourself. The barrier doesn't necessarily have to be money. doesn't necessarily have to be money. doesn't necessarily have to be money. It's knowing where to focus. It's knowing where to focus. It's knowing where to focus. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> If you can't code and you don't have >> If you can't code and you don't have >> If you can't code and you don't have money, the path to a working product money, the path to a working product money, the path to a working product used to be pretty grim. These days, used to be pretty grim. These days, used to be pretty grim. These days, that's no longer the case. I'm going to that's no longer the case. I'm going to that's no longer the case. I'm going to walk you through your options from most walk you through your options from most walk you through your options from most to least ideal. Option A, you're a to least ideal. Option A, you're a to least ideal. Option A, you're a developer, build it yourself. This is developer, build it yourself. This is developer, build it yourself. This is the best path if you can code. You do it the best path if you can code. You do it the best path if you can code. You do it nights and weekends while you have a day nights and weekends while you have a day nights and weekends while you have a day job or consulting clients. You obviously job or consulting clients. You obviously job or consulting clients. You obviously use AI coding assistants like Cursor, use AI coding assistants like Cursor, use AI coding assistants like Cursor, Claude Code, and they have compressed Claude Code, and they have compressed Claude Code, and they have compressed the timeline dramatically. Weekend tasks the timeline dramatically. Weekend tasks the timeline dramatically. Weekend tasks now take an evening. It can be realistic now take an evening. It can be realistic now take an evening. It can be realistic to ship an MVP in less than 4 weeks of to ship an MVP in less than 4 weeks of to ship an MVP in less than 4 weeks of nights and weekends work. However, the nights and weekends work. However, the nights and weekends work. However, the fundamentals are unchanged. Figure out fundamentals are unchanged. Figure out fundamentals are unchanged. Figure out your core use case, you ruthlessly your core use case, you ruthlessly your core use case, you ruthlessly shrink your scope, ship, and you iterate shrink your scope, ship, and you iterate shrink your scope, ship, and you iterate based on real feedback, not on based on real feedback, not on based on real feedback, not on guesswork. Just cuz you can build more guesswork. Just cuz you can build more guesswork. Just cuz you can build more faster doesn't mean that you shouldn't faster doesn't mean that you shouldn't faster doesn't mean that you shouldn't be trying to drive potential customers be trying to drive potential customers be trying to drive potential customers to use the product so that you can to use the product so that you can to use the product so that you can actually iterate on it because the odds actually iterate on it because the odds actually iterate on it because the odds that you're going to build something out that you're going to build something out that you're going to build something out of your own head and that you're going of your own head and that you're going of your own head and that you're going to be 100% accurate in terms of it to be 100% accurate in terms of it to be 100% accurate in terms of it solving a real problem that people are solving a real problem that people are solving a real problem that people are willing to pay for is very, very low.

willing to pay for is very, very low. willing to pay for is very, very low. The key advantage for this option is you The key advantage for this option is you The key advantage for this option is you can maintain and extend the product can maintain and extend the product can maintain and extend the product yourself. Product is never done. People yourself. Product is never done. People yourself. Product is never done. People think SaaS products you pay a developer think SaaS products you pay a developer think SaaS products you pay a developer or you pay an agency to build it and or you pay an agency to build it and or you pay an agency to build it and then that's it. It's never done. And then that's it. It's never done. And then that's it. It's never done. And this matters a lot more than people this matters a lot more than people this matters a lot more than people think. Option B is you're not a think. Option B is you're not a think. Option B is you're not a developer and you can use AI assisted developer and you can use AI assisted developer and you can use AI assisted development. These are tools like development. These are tools like development. These are tools like Cursor, Claude Code, even lovable Bolt, Cursor, Claude Code, even lovable Bolt, Cursor, Claude Code, even lovable Bolt, Replit. Describe what you want in plain Replit. Describe what you want in plain Replit. Describe what you want in plain English and you get a working and English and you get a working and English and you get a working and deployed app. But let's be honest about deployed app. But let's be honest about deployed app. But let's be honest about the limitations. Where this works well the limitations. Where this works well the limitations. Where this works well is for prototypes, for simple CRUD apps, is for prototypes, for simple CRUD apps, is for prototypes, for simple CRUD apps, for landing pages with functionality, for landing pages with functionality, for landing pages with functionality, internal tools, or MVPs for customer internal tools, or MVPs for customer internal tools, or MVPs for customer feedback. It's a lot harder when you feedback. It's a lot harder when you feedback. It's a lot harder when you have complex business logic, you have have complex business logic, you have have complex business logic, you have deep integrations with other tools, deep integrations with other tools, deep integrations with other tools, ongoing maintenance, scaling, code gets ongoing maintenance, scaling, code gets ongoing maintenance, scaling, code gets difficult to modify at the edges. I difficult to modify at the edges. I difficult to modify at the edges. I think the optimal workflow if you go think the optimal workflow if you go think the optimal workflow if you go this path is to build a prototype using this path is to build a prototype using this path is to build a prototype using AI tools. Then you validate people's AI tools. Then you validate people's AI tools. Then you validate people's willingness to pay for it and you learn willingness to pay for it and you learn willingness to pay for it and you learn to maintain it yourself or you hire a to maintain it yourself or you hire a to maintain it yourself or you hire a developer once you have revenue. Now developer once you have revenue. Now developer once you have revenue. Now this option can also be handled with no this option can also be handled with no this option can also be handled with no code. We have a couple companies within code. We have a couple companies within code. We have a couple companies within Tiny Seed that we have funded that built Tiny Seed that we have funded that built Tiny Seed that we have funded that built a no code product to validate it and a no code product to validate it and a no code product to validate it and then eventually they hire a developer to then eventually they hire a developer to then eventually they hire a developer to rewrite it in full code. So what's the rewrite it in full code. So what's the rewrite it in full code. So what's the cost with option B? I mean zero to $20 a cost with option B? I mean zero to $20 a cost with option B? I mean zero to $20 a month, maybe $100 if you're going to month, maybe $100 if you're going to month, maybe $100 if you're going to hit, you know, one of the more expensive hit, you know, one of the more expensive hit, you know, one of the more expensive tiers. Your real investment here is tiers. Your real investment here is tiers. Your real investment here is time. And option C is to find a time. And option C is to find a time. And option C is to find a technical co-founder. It's a valid path, technical co-founder. It's a valid path, technical co-founder. It's a valid path, but you have to bring equivalent value but you have to bring equivalent value but you have to bring equivalent value to the team.

to the team. to the team. I have the idea is not enough, I have the idea is not enough, I have the idea is not enough, especially now that non-technical people especially now that non-technical people especially now that non-technical people can build prototypes on their own. Your can build prototypes on their own. Your can build prototypes on their own. Your job, if your co-founder is writing the job, if your co-founder is writing the job, if your co-founder is writing the code, is to have customer conversations, code, is to have customer conversations, code, is to have customer conversations, do demos, make sales, build landing do demos, make sales, build landing do demos, make sales, build landing pages, do marketing, try to get people pages, do marketing, try to get people pages, do marketing, try to get people interested in the product. It's interested in the product. It's interested in the product. It's everything else but building the everything else but building the everything else but building the product. The best co-founder product. The best co-founder product. The best co-founder relationships I've seen come from shared relationships I've seen come from shared relationships I've seen come from shared context. Maybe they're in the same context. Maybe they're in the same context. Maybe they're in the same industry, maybe they met at MicroConf, industry, maybe they met at MicroConf, industry, maybe they met at MicroConf, maybe they come from the same community. maybe they come from the same community. maybe they come from the same community. I haven't really seen many work out from I haven't really seen many work out from I haven't really seen many work out from a Reddit post. And the best co-founder a Reddit post. And the best co-founder a Reddit post. And the best co-founder relationships are complementary. I've relationships are complementary. I've relationships are complementary. I've seen a lot of two developer teams both seen a lot of two developer teams both seen a lot of two developer teams both want to write code code code and no one want to write code code code and no one want to write code code code and no one wants to sell or market. When you get wants to sell or market. When you get wants to sell or market. When you get together with a co-founder, one of you together with a co-founder, one of you together with a co-founder, one of you needs to head up driving demand and needs to head up driving demand and needs to head up driving demand and building a marketing and sales engine. building a marketing and sales engine. building a marketing and sales engine. And if you're not writing the code, And if you're not writing the code, And if you're not writing the code, that's you. So you built the product and now you So you built the product and now you need people to know about it and to pay need people to know about it and to pay need people to know about it and to pay for it and you have zero marketing for it and you have zero marketing for it and you have zero marketing budget. Since you don't have any budget, budget. Since you don't have any budget, budget. Since you don't have any budget, paid ads are off the table. In this paid ads are off the table. In this paid ads are off the table. In this case, you have to invest your most case, you have to invest your most case, you have to invest your most precious resource, time. Channels that precious resource, time. Channels that precious resource, time. Channels that can work when you're broke are SEO and can work when you're broke are SEO and can work when you're broke are SEO and content. Now, this can take months to content. Now, this can take months to content. Now, this can take months to pay off, but it compounds. And SEO isn't pay off, but it compounds. And SEO isn't pay off, but it compounds. And SEO isn't just Google, right? YouTube is the just Google, right? YouTube is the just Google, right? YouTube is the number two search engine. There are app number two search engine. There are app number two search engine. There are app stores, whether that's the WordPress app stores, whether that's the WordPress app stores, whether that's the WordPress app store, the Shopify app store. Creating store, the Shopify app store. Creating store, the Shopify app store. Creating content and publishing stuff on Reddit, content and publishing stuff on Reddit, content and publishing stuff on Reddit, niche directories, AI answer engines niche directories, AI answer engines niche directories, AI answer engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity, all follow

like ChatGPT and Perplexity, all follow like ChatGPT and Perplexity, all follow the same principles. Useful content that the same principles. Useful content that the same principles. Useful content that answers real questions. And if you can answers real questions. And if you can answers real questions. And if you can build an SEO engine that ranks in build an SEO engine that ranks in build an SEO engine that ranks in Google, that will provide organic Google, that will provide organic Google, that will provide organic traffic to your site month after month traffic to your site month after month traffic to your site month after month after month. Another approach is cold after month. Another approach is cold after month. Another approach is cold outreach. It's free, and it's a very outreach. It's free, and it's a very outreach. It's free, and it's a very fast channel. The key is knowing a fast channel. The key is knowing a fast channel. The key is knowing a signal. If without a signal, you're just signal. If without a signal, you're just signal. If without a signal, you're just sending spam. So, a signal is an sending spam. So, a signal is an sending spam. So, a signal is an external cue that allows you to know external cue that allows you to know external cue that allows you to know when someone needs your product and when someone needs your product and when someone needs your product and needs it now, not someday. Another needs it now, not someday. Another needs it now, not someday. Another option is partnerships and integrations. option is partnerships and integrations. option is partnerships and integrations. You can co-promote with complementary You can co-promote with complementary You can co-promote with complementary products. The cost here is your time, products. The cost here is your time, products. The cost here is your time, but when it works, it produces leads for but when it works, it produces leads for but when it works, it produces leads for years. Then we have communities and years. Then we have communities and years. Then we have communities and events. Your vertical customers gather events. Your vertical customers gather events. Your vertical customers gather somewhere. Meetups, Slack groups, somewhere. Meetups, Slack groups, somewhere. Meetups, Slack groups, subreddits, Facebook groups, Discord. If subreddits, Facebook groups, Discord. If subreddits, Facebook groups, Discord. If you show up and be genuinely helpful, you show up and be genuinely helpful, you show up and be genuinely helpful, this is a way to reach especially early this is a way to reach especially early this is a way to reach especially early customers, but also it can be a customers, but also it can be a customers, but also it can be a long-term channel. In a perfect world, I long-term channel. In a perfect world, I long-term channel. In a perfect world, I would pick one fast channel like would pick one fast channel like would pick one fast channel like outreach and communities and one slow outreach and communities and one slow outreach and communities and one slow channel like SEO and content, and I channel like SEO and content, and I channel like SEO and content, and I would work both simultaneously. If you would work both simultaneously. If you would work both simultaneously. If you work fast only, then you're always work fast only, then you're always work fast only, then you're always chasing that next lead. And if you work chasing that next lead. And if you work chasing that next lead. And if you work slow only, then you're kind of starving slow only, then you're kind of starving slow only, then you're kind of starving while you wait three, six, nine months while you wait three, six, nine months while you wait three, six, nine months for the slow approach to kick in. So, for the slow approach to kick in. So, for the slow approach to kick in. So, what about AI in producing content?

what about AI in producing content? what about AI in producing content? Well, you can produce more faster, but Well, you can produce more faster, but Well, you can produce more faster, but so can everyone else. So, what's really so can everyone else. So, what's really so can everyone else. So, what's really valued these days is original thinking, valued these days is original thinking, valued these days is original thinking, proprietary data, and real expertise. proprietary data, and real expertise. proprietary data, and real expertise. That's what's going to make you stand That's what's going to make you stand That's what's going to make you stand out. A thousand AI blog posts are out. A thousand AI blog posts are out. A thousand AI blog posts are probably not going to beat one piece probably not going to beat one piece probably not going to beat one piece from someone who knows the problem. I from someone who knows the problem. I from someone who knows the problem. I see folks leaning too much on AI these see folks leaning too much on AI these see folks leaning too much on AI these days to create content. So, while we at days to create content. So, while we at days to create content. So, while we at MicroConf and TinySeed use AI to help us MicroConf and TinySeed use AI to help us MicroConf and TinySeed use AI to help us prep to create content. For example, prep to create content. For example, prep to create content. For example, this YouTube video was outlined with the this YouTube video was outlined with the this YouTube video was outlined with the assistance of AI, but the entire script assistance of AI, but the entire script assistance of AI, but the entire script is not generated by AI. We use our own is not generated by AI. We use our own is not generated by AI. We use our own internal knowledge and our original internal knowledge and our original internal knowledge and our original thinking and frameworks that we feed thinking and frameworks that we feed thinking and frameworks that we feed into AI and help it flesh the edges out. into AI and help it flesh the edges out. into AI and help it flesh the edges out. Because if you go to AI and say outline Because if you go to AI and say outline Because if you go to AI and say outline a video with this title, it's just a video with this title, it's just a video with this title, it's just bland. It's generic. It's the average. bland. It's generic. It's the average. bland. It's generic. It's the average. And that's not going to make you stand And that's not going to make you stand And that's not going to make you stand out in this current age of AI. >> [music] >> [music] >> Nobody warns you that for the first >> Nobody warns you that for the first >> Nobody warns you that for the first year, maybe longer, you are the entire year, maybe longer, you are the entire year, maybe longer, you are the entire company. Your sales, your support, your company. Your sales, your support, your company. Your sales, your support, your engineering and marketing. And this can engineering and marketing. And this can engineering and marketing. And this can be the hardest part of starting a SaaS.

be the hardest part of starting a SaaS. be the hardest part of starting a SaaS. You handle everything yourself at first. You handle everything yourself at first. You handle everything yourself at first. You're going to have to. You're going to You're going to have to. You're going to You're going to have to. You're going to be doing sales, you're going to be be doing sales, you're going to be be doing sales, you're going to be responding to support messages, you're responding to support messages, you're responding to support messages, you're going to be making bug fixes, you're going to be making bug fixes, you're going to be making bug fixes, you're going to be marketing. That's the deal. going to be marketing. That's the deal. going to be marketing. That's the deal. That's what you've signed up for. The That's what you've signed up for. The That's what you've signed up for. The most common path is to keep your day most common path is to keep your day most common path is to keep your day job. You build nights and weekends. It's job. You build nights and weekends. It's job. You build nights and weekends. It's how I did it, how most successful how I did it, how most successful how I did it, how most successful bootstrap founders do it. Otherwise, you bootstrap founders do it. Otherwise, you bootstrap founders do it. Otherwise, you have this runway that you're terrified have this runway that you're terrified have this runway that you're terrified of running out. And the number of posts of running out. And the number of posts of running out. And the number of posts that I see on X or on Reddit that are that I see on X or on Reddit that are that I see on X or on Reddit that are talking about I ran out of runway talking about I ran out of runway talking about I ran out of runway because I quit my job and now I have to because I quit my job and now I have to because I quit my job and now I have to go get a job. I'm so sad and depressed. go get a job. I'm so sad and depressed. go get a job. I'm so sad and depressed. It sucks. Don't do that. There are some It sucks. Don't do that. There are some It sucks. Don't do that. There are some folks that have savings or supportive folks that have savings or supportive folks that have savings or supportive partner or spouse, but the default is to partner or spouse, but the default is to partner or spouse, but the default is to keep your day job until your business keep your day job until your business keep your day job until your business replaces it or at least gets close. That replaces it or at least gets close. That replaces it or at least gets close. That day job, as I said, removes the pressure day job, as I said, removes the pressure day job, as I said, removes the pressure of a ticking clock so you can be a bit of a ticking clock so you can be a bit of a ticking clock so you can be a bit more patient, can make better decisions, more patient, can make better decisions, more patient, can make better decisions, have less desperation, and make have less desperation, and make have less desperation, and make longer-term bets. The timeline for this longer-term bets. The timeline for this longer-term bets. The timeline for this is unpredictable. Maybe it takes you 3 is unpredictable. Maybe it takes you 3 is unpredictable. Maybe it takes you 3 months. Maybe it's 6 months. Maybe it's months. Maybe it's 6 months. Maybe it's months. Maybe it's 6 months. Maybe it's 18 months. If you have a finite cash 18 months. If you have a finite cash 18 months. If you have a finite cash reserve, you start making short-term reserve, you start making short-term reserve, you start making short-term decisions, but a steady paycheck is an decisions, but a steady paycheck is an decisions, but a steady paycheck is an underrated competitive advantage. Every underrated competitive advantage. Every underrated competitive advantage. Every successful startup that I know, from my successful startup that I know, from my successful startup that I know, from my own to the more than 230 that I've own to the more than 230 that I've own to the more than 230 that I've invested in, to the thousands that I've invested in, to the thousands that I've invested in, to the thousands that I've watched from a distance in the MicroConf watched from a distance in the MicroConf watched from a distance in the MicroConf and Startups For The Rest Of Us and Startups For The Rest Of Us and Startups For The Rest Of Us communities got there with three communities got there with three communities got there with three ingredients in different proportions.

ingredients in different proportions. ingredients in different proportions. These ingredients are hard work, luck, These ingredients are hard work, luck, These ingredients are hard work, luck, and skill. You can't control luck, but and skill. You can't control luck, but and skill. You can't control luck, but you can control how much your outcome you can control how much your outcome you can control how much your outcome depends on it. Hard work is necessary, depends on it. Hard work is necessary, depends on it. Hard work is necessary, but it's not sufficient for success. but it's not sufficient for success. but it's not sufficient for success. There are plenty of founders that grind There are plenty of founders that grind There are plenty of founders that grind on the wrong things for years. So, hard on the wrong things for years. So, hard on the wrong things for years. So, hard work is usually a requirement, but it on work is usually a requirement, but it on work is usually a requirement, but it on its own is not necessarily going to get its own is not necessarily going to get its own is not necessarily going to get you to success. you to success. you to success. Skill is what directs your work. This is Skill is what directs your work. This is Skill is what directs your work. This is where you dive into marketing. You have where you dive into marketing. You have where you dive into marketing. You have your product sense that you develop over your product sense that you develop over your product sense that you develop over time, and it's your ability to hear what time, and it's your ability to hear what time, and it's your ability to hear what customers are actually saying, knowing customers are actually saying, knowing customers are actually saying, knowing what to build, know how to get it into what to build, know how to get it into what to build, know how to get it into people's hands. Your goal is to minimize people's hands. Your goal is to minimize people's hands. Your goal is to minimize the role of luck by building your skills the role of luck by building your skills the role of luck by building your skills systematically and putting in as much systematically and putting in as much systematically and putting in as much hard work as it takes. And the single most important skill when And the single most important skill when you're starting out is learning to spot you're starting out is learning to spot you're starting out is learning to spot problems worth solving. Most people problems worth solving. Most people problems worth solving. Most people think great SaaS ideas come from some think great SaaS ideas come from some think great SaaS ideas come from some flash of inspiration, but they don't. flash of inspiration, but they don't. flash of inspiration, but they don't. They usually come from paying attention, They usually come from paying attention, They usually come from paying attention, especially at your day job, when you're especially at your day job, when you're especially at your day job, when you're watching broken workflows and manual watching broken workflows and manual watching broken workflows and manual processes every day. I put together a processes every day. I put together a processes every day. I put together a free ebook called the 9-to-5 audit that free ebook called the 9-to-5 audit that free ebook called the 9-to-5 audit that gives you a structured way to find SaaS gives you a structured way to find SaaS gives you a structured way to find SaaS ideas at work. This is not look around ideas at work. This is not look around ideas at work. This is not look around and hope something jumps out. It's an and hope something jumps out. It's an and hope something jumps out. It's an actual framework. Head to actual framework. Head to actual framework. Head to robwalling.com/ideas robwalling.com/ideas robwalling.com/ideas to grab it for free. Everything I've to grab it for free. Everything I've to grab it for free. Everything I've talked about today, building with no talked about today, building with no talked about today, building with no money, marketing with no budget, doing money, marketing with no budget, doing money, marketing with no budget, doing it nights and weekends, none of it it nights and weekends, none of it it nights and weekends, none of it matters if you're building the wrong matters if you're building the wrong matters if you're building the wrong thing. You need an idea worth your time, thing. You need an idea worth your time, thing. You need an idea worth your time, and I'm not going to lie, finding the and I'm not going to lie, finding the and I'm not going to lie, finding the idea is hard. I surveyed more than 200

idea is hard. I surveyed more than 200 idea is hard. I surveyed more than 200 successful SaaS founders about where successful SaaS founders about where successful SaaS founders about where they actually found their business idea, they actually found their business idea, they actually found their business idea, and I break down all of it and give you and I break down all of it and give you and I break down all of it and give you examples for each of the eight methods examples for each of the eight methods examples for each of the eight methods in this next video. Make sure you check in this next video. Make sure you check in this next video. Make sure you check it out. If you found this video helpful, it out. If you found this video helpful, it out. If you found this video helpful, please give it a like and subscribe. please give it a like and subscribe. please give it a like and subscribe. Thanks for watching. I'll see you next Thanks for watching. I'll see you next Thanks for watching. I'll see you next time.