Welcoem to posts!!
in the future - u will be able to do some more stuff here,,,!! like pat catgirl- i mean um yeah... for now u can only see others's posts :c
Dan is leaving in October, which means I'll have the YouTube channel to do whatever I want (just kidding, Dan). I want to do daily updates and create video content, but since I'm a bit scared, let's start with writing first.
A day in the life of an indie maker/startup person/podcast co-host/Product Hunt lover/community builder/marketer:
Woke up, took a cold shower (just kidding, I'm in Finland—it was hot water), got dressed, stopped to grab coffee, got to the office, worked until I realized I forgot my charger.
Now heading back home to charge my laptop.
Grabbed a second coffee. Planning to work on integration flows and prepping for the new Klu release. Also figuring out the landing page. New Marc Lou video is also out today.
It's 11 AM now. 🌸 This is fun.
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Inside Making Money with Daniel Vasallo: Building SaaS Startups with a Small Bets Approach
Ever wondered how some people manage to leave high-paying jobs and still make it big on their own? Daniel Vasallo, a former Amazon employee, did just that. He swapped his cushy corporate job for a life of independence and has since made over a million dollars by embracing a unique approach to entrepreneurship.
His strategy revolves around making "small bets" and building SaaS startups that cater to niche markets. In this blog post, we'll dive deep into how Daniel Vasallo approaches marketing, how he built his successful ventures, and the lessons we can learn from his journey.
Daniel Vasallo wasn’t just any employee at Amazon; he was making $500,000 a year. So, why did he leave? For Vasallo, it wasn't just about the money. After nearly nine years at Amazon, he realized that the 9-to-5 grind and corporate structure didn't suit his personality or aspirations. He craved independence, flexibility, and the freedom to work on projects that truly interested him.
In 2019, he took a leap of faith, leaving his secure job behind. But he didn’t just jump without a plan. He used his time wisely to explore different ideas and eventually launched multiple projects. Within a year of leaving Amazon, Vasallo was making $350,000 from his own ventures. Fast forward three years, and he hit the million-dollar mark in revenue. How did he do it? The answer lies in his philosophy of "small bets."
Vasallo’s success stems from his approach to making "small bets." But what does that mean? Instead of putting all his energy and resources into one big project, Vasallo spreads his risk across multiple smaller ventures. This strategy allows him to experiment and see what works without the fear of losing everything.
For instance, Vasallo doesn't aim to build the next billion-dollar company. Instead, he focuses on creating small, manageable projects that can generate quick, modest profits. This approach has two main advantages:
1. Lower Risk: By investing in small projects, Vasallo reduces the financial and emotional risk. If one project fails, it’s not the end of the world.
2. Higher Learning: Each small project is a learning opportunity. Whether it succeeds or fails, Vasallo gains valuable insights that he can apply to future projects.
Vasallo’s strategy is simple but effective. He understands that not every idea will be a hit, and that’s okay. What matters is finding the few that do succeed and then doubling down on them.
Building in Public: A Unique Marketing Strategy**
One of the most interesting aspects of Vasallo’s journey is his marketing approach. He is a strong advocate of "building in public." This means he shares his process, challenges, and progress openly with his audience, mainly on social media.
Why does he do this? Building in public creates transparency and trust. People love following stories, especially those of entrepreneurs figuring things out in real-time. By being open about his successes and failures, Vasallo has built a loyal community of followers who are genuinely interested in his journey. This community not only provides support but also helps in spreading the word about his products.
The Role of Randomness in Success
A significant part of Vasallo's success comes from his understanding of randomness in business. He acknowledges that success is often unpredictable, even with all the resources and planning in the world. During his time at Amazon, he noticed that only a tiny fraction of their services became profitable despite having vast resources. This taught him an important lesson: success is not always about having the best plan but about being adaptable and open to change.
This mindset has been crucial in Vasallo’s journey. He doesn’t get too attached to any single idea. Instead, he is ready to pivot or drop a project if it’s not working out. By being flexible and open to the unpredictable nature of business, Vasallo has been able to navigate the uncertainties of entrepreneurship effectively.
Diversifying Income Streams: Freelancing and Beyond
Another key to Vasallo’s success is diversifying his income streams. He doesn’t rely on just one project or business to make money. Early in his journey, he took on freelancing gigs to cover his bills while he experimented with different business ideas. This not only provided financial stability but also opened up new opportunities and networks.
Today, Vasallo has multiple sources of income, including digital products like books and courses, as well as his community, "Small Bets." This community, which started as a course, has grown into a thriving group of over 6,000 members. Unlike many communities that charge recurring fees, Vasallo opted for a one-time membership fee. This approach has kept the community engaged without the pressure of maintaining a subscription model.
Lessons Learned: Embrace Small Wins
One of the biggest lessons from Vasallo’s journey is the power of small wins. He advises against aiming for huge, all-or-nothing projects, especially for new entrepreneurs. Instead, focus on smaller, achievable goals that can build momentum over time.
Starting with small wins helps in several ways:
- Builds Confidence: Each small success boosts confidence and provides proof that you're on the right path.
- Reduces Pressure: By aiming for manageable goals, you avoid the stress and burnout that often comes with high-stakes projects.
- Creates Opportunities: Small wins can open doors to bigger opportunities. For Vasallo, each small project provided valuable insights and connections that led to more significant ventures.
Vasallo isn’t stopping anytime soon. He continues to explore new ideas and projects, always looking for the next small bet to place. His future plans include launching several small SaaS products that solve specific problems he has identified while running his businesses. By staying true to his philosophy of small bets and embracing randomness, Vasallo is set to continue his success in the world of indie hacking and SaaS startups.
Daniel Vasallo's journey is a testament to the power of taking small risks, learning from each step, and being adaptable. His approach to building SaaS startups and making money isn’t about finding the one big idea that changes everything. Instead, it’s about consistently making smart, small bets and letting them grow over time. For anyone looking to dive into the world of indie hacking or entrepreneurship, Vasallo’s story provides valuable insights into how to navigate the unpredictable path to success.
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A live show that keeps you up to date with startups, indie makers, products & #buildinpublic
Join us every Monday and Friday morning where we discover what indie makers, solopreneurs and other brave souls are building in public, celebrating or struggling as we go through their exciting updates, meet great new people and try out brilliant products. You need coffee or RedBull.