I'm spending possibly too many hours in front of a screen, but no matter how hard I hit the road, it still feels like I'm too far away from where I want to be. It's a delicate balance, I admit. One that I struggle to find. Enjoying your life, and I mean that literally, while also keeping yourself accountable for your reality.
Over the past few weeks, however, I've had a lot of time to think about my current "business models." Please note the air quotes.
For a long time, many of us held onto the same idea. The markets would eventually turn around, greener pastures would emerge, and we'd finally be able to breathe a little easier. Maybe even enjoy some relief, if not outright joy.
Lately, though, I've started to question whether that plan, if I can even call it a plan, is realistic. Worse, I wonder if it's actually self destructive.
To be clear, I'm not quitting or anything of the sort. After nine years in this place, the crab bucket is too deep for my short claws. But I am taking a very serious look at where I'm investing my time and energy.
I need to become bear resistant.
It can't be that even if the market eventually turns around, I find myself right back in this exact position a year or two later. That's not sustainable. I suspect my liver isn't particularly fond of the arrangement either.
As much as it pains me to say it, I may have to conclude that the plan of simply living off crypto is not a particularly smart one.
About a year ago, I started working on a Point of Sale system. My goal was to help push the HBD economy forward. In that sense, it worked. But beyond that, not much happened.
Recently, though, I think I've identified a gap in the market. More importantly, I believe I've identified potential clients who actually need a solution. That's where my attention is heading now.
Is the world becoming one giant SaaS subscription?
It certainly seems that way. Then again, maybe that's exactly what people want. I'm not entirely sure.
What I do know is that I've been doing a lot of research, having a lot of conversations, and speaking with my first potential clients. Hopefully, I'll have some wins to report on that front soon.
A short description of the idea would be this: imagine something analogous to WordPress, but focused on image management and Point of Sale systems. A flexible core platform, extended through plugins that adapt to different needs and workflows. Something versatile enough to bend to the user's requirements rather than forcing the user to adapt to it.
Am I onto something?
I think so.
But this is one climb I suspect I'll be making by myself.
MenO