Why Programmers Struggle as Entrepreneurs and Vice Versa
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Understanding the Divide
As of late 2024, I have successfully completed over 15 IT projects, taking on various roles such as developer, designer, marketer, and even founder. From my extensive experience, I have come to a clear conclusion: Success often hinges on perseverance through failures.
In this discussion, we will delve into the realms of programming and entrepreneurship, examining why excelling in both simultaneously can be a daunting task. I will share my journey of launching my first project, including the challenges I faced and the eventual sales I achieved.
The Vision for a Product Marketplace
Initially, I envisioned creating a product marketplace. The concept seemed straightforward: choose the appropriate technologies for the website and backend, design the layout and logo, register a domain, integrate payment systems, and invite sellers to join. The goal was to wait for the first sales to roll in.
However, a critical flaw in this plan was that it was engineered by a programmer. A business-oriented approach would have looked quite different:
- Analyze competitors.
- Identify unique selling propositions and strengths.
- Develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
- Make initial sales while pinpointing the most popular product categories.
By following such a plan, I would have quickly realized that the real strength of platforms like Wildberries lies not in their website or seller interfaces, but rather in their logistics, warehouses, and delivery systems that ensure prompt product distribution.
As long as programmers maintain a narrow focus on technology—spending around 80% of their time on it—they will struggle to create a thriving business.
On the flip side, many entrepreneurs I’ve encountered perceive programmers merely as operators of the "money button." They often ask how to learn programming, believing that if they could code, they would build something extraordinary in the tech space. Yet, none have taken the plunge to learn even a single programming language or write any code.
This illustrates a fundamental truth: it is nearly impossible to excel in two vastly different fields simultaneously. A skilled programmer looking to establish a business will need a formidable CEO. Conversely, a capable entrepreneur will require a highly skilled developer to bring their ideas to life through code.
Ultimately, the choice must be made: to become an exceptional programmer or a successful entrepreneur.
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A look into why many programmers who venture into entrepreneurship often find themselves struggling.
An exploration of the differences between corporate programming jobs and entrepreneurial ventures, highlighting key challenges.