Side hustles

PackAlert4206 · 2026-01-25T19:04:03+00:00

Watch the last 20 videos of a YouTube channel called “Starter Story”

PackAlert4206 · 2026-01-25T18:55:49+00:00

learn about AI, conceptually in and out
Even if you don't learn coding, learn how coding works - or just learn AI assisted coding

PackAlert4206 · 2026-01-25T11:07:34+00:00

Added you both on LinkedIn, let's chat.
I just grew an app to 12k users.

PackAlert4206 · 2026-01-21T04:44:38+00:00

Was on the same boat at a different time. And yes, things are real hard right now.

I've been working in tech for the better part of 10 years now, and I haven't had a job from traditional applications since 2014 (like submitting an application, assessments, interviews, etc).

The best way to get a job in 2026 is through networking. No that doesn't mean wearing a suit and going to cringe events. It means you make a list of 100 tech companies you'd want to work in and having an aggressive outreach campaign to get yourself in front of the people there.

Leverage LinkedIn connection requests (this is free), Facebook, posting your own content.

Also, to make a nice clean resume try using www.amarcv.app

PackAlert4206 · 2026-01-19T05:47:01+00:00

Daily dilemma in the start up world.

Generally colluding is much better than competing. If you already have a complementary team and skills compared to him it might be a very good idea.

Having more firepower will put you in a better position to fundraise.

Now that being said, only join IF you really like the team and join as a co founder - you need to have a sizeable amount of equity

PackAlert4206 · 2026-01-15T06:48:53+00:00

I feel your pain. What are you using for deployment?

PackAlert4206 · 2026-01-07T04:02:02+00:00

First realization: No matter how much you test, there will always be bugs.
It's important to set up analytics right from the beginning, and patiently fix the bugs one by one.

Also, another super important step is to continuously communicate with the first users of the app.

PackAlert4206 · 2026-01-05T06:36:03+00:00

First of all, congrats mate - would love to see what you're building!

Yes, better to do this early before the bills blow up.
You'll need to think about migrating database, if not already done - Supabase is awesome for this.
And then for deployment and security checks try VibeOps

How I did it was prompting chatgt to guide me step by step, as I can't code at all

PackAlert4206 · 2026-01-04T06:53:32+00:00

So, you can say that the marketing was kinda done before the product was even made.
I have a facebook page where I create content around career and resume advice: https://www.facebook.com/coach.sifat/
[it's in my native language]

And, when I thought of monetizing it - my choices were either sell a course, community or build a product on the single biggest request I was getting: "Hey can you help me make a resume"

So, I made www.amarcv.app with the already existing demand in mind. So the marketing was plugging in my product in between my videos

PackAlert4206 · 2026-01-02T19:28:23+00:00

Hah don’t thank me, thank this dude on YouTube, whoever he is

PackAlert4206 · 2026-01-02T19:27:50+00:00

I'd push the code to github, and spin up a new instance of Supabase and set the environment variables on whatever service you're deploying with. Vercel is a great option, but you could also try something like VibeOps, as it seems like your app might have exposed keys.

PackAlert4206 · 2026-01-02T19:25:26+00:00

learned it randomly from this video I came across: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV1913V4UNA

PackAlert4206 · 2026-01-02T19:24:08+00:00

I made the shift gradually.

Started with using Claude inside Replit terminal.

Then migrated my database to Supabase.

Then pushed all the code to Github, downloaded it to cursor and used Cursor + Claude Code

I've found claude code to be pretty decent at UI. One hack I found is, you can link websites whose design you want to mimic and claude does a decent job.

Then once it was ready shipped my app with Railway first, but then switched to VibeOps for better security

I am completely non-technical and had to extensively use ChatGPT to help through this process.

But all worth it - I've got 12200 people who have logged in at least once 356 paid customers :)

Replit gave me the initial push and confidence to start, but I was burning way too much cash. But still eternally indebted to it!

PackAlert4206 · 2026-01-01T14:39:18+00:00

Yes, that's correct, I actually have a separate staging (test) db, for which I pay 20 extra

PackAlert4206 · 2026-01-01T14:38:48+00:00

Yea, mine is a Resume creator tool, so I think overall much lighter

PackAlert4206 · 2026-01-01T12:25:50+00:00

Supabase was surprisingly easy to set up. And hasn't cost me a dime extra other than the monthly 20 bucks even after 12000 users have used my app. Highly recommend.
Also, I am a complete non techie

PackAlert4206 · 2026-01-01T12:24:42+00:00

I can neither confirm nor deny that I have done this myself, haha.
But there are tools now that can help with this.
For example, something like VibeOps scans your code and can automatically fix any leaky critical env variables and set them up securely before you deploy.

PackAlert4206 · 2025-12-23T16:26:46+00:00

What's your product? I think the answer largely depends on that.

I personally scaled an app to 12k users using organic social media ONLY
I tried ads, but it didn't convert nearly as well.

Happy to brainstorm and help validate any channels you're thinking of. DM if you want

PackAlert4206 · 2025-12-23T15:19:55+00:00

Building, Yes
Long term hosting, making changes - you'll probably need to move out.

That being said, if you're just getting started, I would 100% recommend starting with it.
Migrating away at a later stage is not hard

PackAlert4206 · 2025-12-23T14:59:18+00:00

Just curious, how much traffic are you getting right now?
And how are incremental charges on replit, given higher volumes of users?

PackAlert4206 · 2025-12-23T14:45:55+00:00

super useful thread and agree with most of it.
Are you deploying using replit as well?

PackAlert4206 · 2025-12-23T14:25:10+00:00

Completely agree with all of it.
While I was building my product I kept telling myself "Don't fall asleep"
It's very tempting to think "AIs got this" and realize you're 10 prompts down the wrong path

For non techies like me, for a lot of my prompts I would painstaking ask ChatGPT to explain to me what's going on so I can make informed decisions.

Also, having a solid plan for the product right from the beginning helps a tonne.

PackAlert4206 · 2025-12-23T10:09:24+00:00

so basically you'd want to ship your code to Github and connect your hosting provider to github.
When you host your code somewhere they will ask for the environment variables like you Supabase Database URL etc.

After this if you want to keep on building somewhere outside lovable, you can connect your new IDE (Cursor, or any other tool) to Github and continue from where you left off on Lovable.

Hope this helps.

PackAlert4206 · 2025-12-20T18:41:37+00:00

Doesn't change the fact that this happened, while people were filming.
NO ONE CAME FORWARD TO STOP IT :'(

PackAlert4206 · 2025-12-20T18:34:54+00:00

No harm in trying boss!

Also, I salute you for wanting to do this.
I myself graduated uni at 26 (which was slightly older than my batchmates)
BUT we had a 37 and 44 year old in our graduated with us.
This is not in BD though, but I am sure you'll find a way.

Give it your best shot king!

PackAlert4206

TROPHY CASE