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Building a SaaS Tool To Replace Your Job
An interview with a side hustler on why building a SaaS tool could be your ticket out of your main job.
Happy Sunday. This week weāre chatting with Saquib, a photography enthusiast and product developer. Saquib spotted a gap in the market and built a SaaS (software as a service) tool to help early business starters use AI to create product photographs. In this interview he will cover:
Picking a side hustle to help bring you freedom and financial independence.
The importance of marketing your product early on.
Why building in public helps build customer trust and increase sales.
Now, over to Saquib!
AI SaaS Developer
Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your business?
Iām a robotics engineer by education and a digital nomad at heart, which gives me a unique perspective on both technology and lifestyle flexibility. Recently, I launched a platform designed for non-developers to fine-tune AI image models with their own data. Itās particularly valuable for model photography, headshots, fashion shoots, and e-commerce product photos. My goal is to create a virtual photography studio where users can generate models and have them interact with their products in realistic settings.
With the rise of AI-generated imagery, I saw a gap in the market: many businesses need professional-looking photos but canāt afford traditional photoshoots. This platform aims to simplify that process by making high-quality visual content accessible to anyone, regardless of their technical expertise.
What was your main inspiration for getting into this side hustle?
My passion for photography and image generation began during my student days, where I was always exploring new ways to combine technology with creative processes. Iāve always been fascinated by the potential of AI and photography is a perfect avenue to use it.
Iāve seen firsthand the challenges photographers and brands face when trying to scale their visual contentāwhether it's the cost of models, location fees, or post-production. I realised that AI could solve many of these pain points by allowing businesses to create stunning visuals on demand, at a fraction of the cost and effort.
Plus, as someone who values freedom and flexibility, I saw this as an opportunity to build a business that aligns with my own lifestyle goals while also addressing a real market need.
How do you define success in your side hustle?
I have specific financial goals, like reaching a monthly recurring revenue (MRR) that matches or exceeds my current salary. Success for me is about freedomāachieving that income level with 50 times more flexibility than a traditional 9-to-5 job.
I want to create a business that not only generates consistent revenue but also allows me the freedom to work from anywhere, at any time. I think many entrepreneurs, especially in the SaaS space, are striving for that balance: a profitable business that doesnāt demand their constant presence. True success, for me, is building a business that operates efficiently, grows sustainably, and enhances my quality of life.
If you were to start again from scratch, what would you do differently?
Iāve already rebooted my business several times, and each time Iāve learned valuable lessons. If I had to start from scratch today, I would put a much stronger emphasis on marketing and distribution right from day one. In the early stages of my previous projects, I focused too much on perfecting the product, believing that if I built the best possible tool, customers would naturally find it. Thatās simply not true.
Now, I understand that even the most incredible product wonāt succeed without a strong go-to-market strategy. So, Iād focus on building an audience, testing marketing channels, and creating buzz long before the product is even finished. Customer feedback from early adopters is also invaluable.
In short, I would spend less time tweaking the tech and more time validating the idea and generating awareness.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out with a similar side hustle?
First, Iād say: find a niche that youāre passionate about and willing to stick with long-term. In the beginning, you might iterate on different products or pivot slightly, but staying within a niche allows you to develop a deeper understanding of your target audience and their needs. You donāt want to be jumping from one trend to anotherāfocus on mastering one area.
Second, as mentioned above, donāt underestimate the power of marketing. A lot of new entrepreneurs fall into the trap of thinking they need to have a perfect product before they can start promoting it. But marketing isnāt just about sellingāitās about building relationships with potential customers and gathering feedback early on. Even if your product is in its infancy, start building an email list, share your progress on social media, and engage with communities in your space. Your future customers need to know you exist before they can buy from you.
Lastly, donāt be afraid to fail and iterate. Every setback is a lesson in disguise, and the faster you can learn and adapt, the better your chances of success.
Where can people find you?
You can find me on Twitter here.
Check out The Flux Train, my SaaS tool.
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The ideal side hustle is ______
1. something which can replace your main income.
OR
2. something which comfortably fits alongside your main income.Which do you think?
ā Ciaran (@fivenineformula)
4:03 PM ā¢ Oct 9, 2024
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How was this week's interview? |
If youād like to read last weekās newsletter, an interview with Jenn who runs a side hustle as a website flipper. Check it out here.
Thank you all,
See you next week! š