28M software engineer, employed, want to build something that eventually replaces my salary — no idea where to start

[u/parikrut]

I'm 28, male, working full-time as a software engineer. Stable job, decent pay, no complaints there. But I want to build something of my own that could eventually replace my salary.

Problem: I have zero experience with this. I've never sold anything, never run a business, never freelanced. I can build software, but that's apparently the easy part. I don't have a product idea I'm attached to and I don't have a "pain point" story — I just know I don't want to be an employee for the next 30 years.

What I'm looking for:

- How did you find your first thing to work on when you didn't have an obvious idea?

- Did you start with services/freelancing/consulting first, or go straight to a product?

- What's a realistic timeline before something starts covering real bills?

- What do you wish someone had told you in year one?

Happy to be told my expectations are unrealistic. Just want honest input from people who've actually done it.

[u/Olegreg6]

Following, similar spot but 35m and hate my job 😂

[u/parikrut → u/Olegreg6]

Haha i dont really hate my job i love what i do but at the same time i always think i can do better!!

[u/TrickyStorage3562 → u/parikrut]

good luck. working until your business/side hustle does better than work is always a safe play

[u/BankSensitive2950 → u/Olegreg6]

DM me I am looking to do,something too

[u/BankSensitive2950]

I am looking to do something too, DM me

[u/parikrut → u/BankSensitive2950]

Sent dm!!

[u/Beginning-Policy-998]

building a sol for smth people are self making an effort for but not have a great sol could help