From Rags to Revenue - 5 Years of a Developer Startup

Explore the journey of a developer's startup from inception to profitability in this NDC Melbourne 2022 conference talk. Gain insights into finding good business ideas, learn tips for early-stage businesses, and discover how developers can create value in the startup world. Follow Ben Cull's five-year journey with Pinch Payments, from full-time developer to startup owner, as he shares the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Understand the importance of timing, consulting experience, and domain knowledge in starting a business. Learn about business models, competition analysis, and product development. Discover the benefits of attending conferences, generating passive revenue, and adopting a stairstep approach. Gain valuable lessons on making and fixing mistakes, managing remote teams, and maintaining a positive mindset. Explore marketing strategies, community building, and tips for raising money and attracting investment. Get advice on creating pitch decks, building relationships, and hiring for your startup. This talk provides a comprehensive overview of the startup journey, offering practical advice and inspiration for developers looking to venture into entrepreneurship.

Intro
Context
Key Learnings
People
Company Overview
Profitability
Background
Personal interests
When is the right time
Benefits of consulting
Building up domain knowledge
Thinking of building something
What do you build now
Skycollect
Have a think
Business model
Competition
Resources
Business Idea
Moving to Belgium
Building a product
Giving yourself time
Time to experiment
Back to Australia
Just do it
Attend conferences
Passive revenue
Stairstep approach
Ready to build
Going straight ahead
The happy balance
Take your time
Products dont compete
Sales team
Making mistakes
Examples of mistakes
You will make mistakes
Fix the mistakes
Make them feel supported
Ups and downs
Nothing came of it
A mindset shift
Reappraisal
Compare yourself
A quick example
Working remotely
Its okay to feel bad
Lets grow
Stand out
People will remember you
Marketing
Finding communities
Raising money tips
Cash flow spreadsheet
Attracting investment
Pitch deck
Key message
You have the advantage
Build some relationships
Walk your own path
Hiring
We are hiring
Come work with us