001 - Let's Get Started

Welcome to bootstrapped.ceo!

This is my first post, so I thought it would be best to write an introduction.

My name is Niall McQuay. I’m a software engineer and tech enthusiast. I’ve spent the past 8 years working at a few startups in Utah. Much of my free time over my career has been spent experimenting with side projects and doing contract work for early-stage startups in my area.

I love startups. I love working for and on them. I’ve worked as an engineer, an engineering manager, and a contractor. Throughout all of this, my dream has always been to build a valuable software product and deliver it to the world. Today, I am putting all of my effort into making that dream a reality, and I’m bringing you along for the ride.

Bootstrapped.ceo is an experiment. I want to see if it really is possible for any Joe Shmoe like myself to find a valuable SaaS idea, execute it, and build a sustainable business without destroying their mental health, physical health, or credit score in the process.

For years, the fear of failure and a lack of stability have kept me from pursuing this ambition full-time. I’ve built a handful of failed side projects, and while I learned a lot about business and tech from them, I’ve still never made a dollar from selling anything online.

I’ve spent years learning how startups are built, working in them, and watching online friends launch profitable SaaS products. I’ve read the books, listened to the podcasts, and worked with some incredibly smart people. Over the years, I’ve gained a lot of knowledge, and today, I am putting it all into practice.

It will take a lot of work, and I’ll likely fail a few times along the way, but I’m not giving up until we reach my number one goal: Ramen Profitability.

Ramen Profitability - Ramen profitability occurs when a business generates enough profit to pay the owner’s basic living expenses.

I’ll have to worry not just about building the product, but making sure I’m building the RIGHT product for the RIGHT people. I’ll have to learn to market it, sell it, and solve every other little problem that pops up along the way.

If all goes well and I create something valuable and bring it to the market, we are in for quite the ride. I’ll be sure to share all of the lessons I learn along the way.

If it goes poorly… at least you’ll learn what not to do.

I’ll share updates regularly here on my blog and across my social media accounts. You can find me on any platform at @bootstrappedceo. Hope to see you there.

This is Niall McQuay, signing off on Day 1.

Thanks for joining me for the ride.