From Grad Student to Entrepreneur

[Lazarus]

Hello everyone, I finally took the plunge to join the forum after reading The Millionaire Fastlane and following the forum for some time now.

One of the deciding factors of joining the forum was the amazing self-publishing subforum you guys have here, in particular Held for Ransom's and ChickenHawk’s gold threads. I really respect and admire their hard work so much that I am almost convinced to start writing fiction myself.

My background: I’m a grad student in computer science, currently based in the mid-Atlantic region. Quite frankly, I am disillusioned with my current trajectory. Yes, I can program. Yes, I know some advanced math. And sure, when I finish my degree I can get a high-paying job. But that implies two things: that I’ll be doing software engineering, and that I’ll be someone’s employee. I have enough internship/job experience doing both to know that path just doesn’t work for me. To put it in perspective: I’d rather run a brick-and-mortar business completely unrelated to my degree than be a 9-to-5 software engineer.

I’m MUCH more interested in making use of my expert knowledge doing a startup or a Software-as-a-Service business.

Because I am a grad student, I understand and can follow a lot of the cutting-edge research going on. Right now is a great time because there are so many practical applications of computer science research (hear about Amazon’s new smartphone and some of its more unique features? I’ve done – and can do – stuff VERY similar to that). Like I said, I could easily get a job doing the drudge work of this kind of thing. But why do that when I can start my own company and get bought by Google / Amazon / Facebook, or (who knows?) even rival them! I’m probably preaching to the choir by saying I’d rather do the hardest work myself if it means creating wealth and prosperity for those around me.

One last thought: like I said, I’m very impressed with the self-publishers here, and I wonder if there is potential for a service (web app, SaaS, or something) that can capitalize on the growing population of self-publishers out there. That means identifying a Need they have. As far as I can tell, marketing and discovery are two particularly difficult tasks. Amazon’s layout is pretty convoluted and has poor discovery. Unless your book is a top seller, new in a popular genre, or shows up in “also bought” lists, your book is invisible (veterans could correct me if I am wrong, but this is my takeaway from their shared experience). Also, Amazon is not transparent about how people find your book. This is bad for readers, since it makes finding something of personal interest more difficult. So maybe there’s a potential for a service that helps self-publishers market and track their books while simultaneously helping readers find new books they would want. Anyway, just wanted to float the idea.

Thanks for all the advice and wisdom shared here. See you around the forum!

 

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[MJ DeMarco]

n wisz onqsittif xovj vji timg-qacmotjist jisi, epf O xupfis og vjisi ot quvipvoem gus e tiswodi (xic eqq, TeeT, us tunivjoph) vjev dep deqovemobi up vji hsuxoph quqamevoup ug timg-qacmotjist uav vjisi. Vjev niept ofipvogzoph e Piif vjiz jewi. Et ges et O dep vimm, neslivoph epf fotduwisz esi vxu qesvodamesmz foggodamv vetlt.

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