[pryelluw]

Not at all. Being a developer does not automatically give you better odds at business. These are two very different skillsets.

Creating a little/niche SAAS takes more than writing code. Most business failures from developers that Ive personally talked to is due to not understating how to market and sell. They thought they could hack it and automate it. This part is still very people centric even if you are not constantly interacting with them.

I dont aim to sound mean but this is akin to thinking that every mechanic out there can be be a successful repair garage owner. Different skills. Its very hard and uncommon to have both technical and business skills. Why do you think YC puts so much money into finding people with both?

Edited for spelling

[csallen]

I see your point and agree with it wholeheartedly, however I think you're responding to something that Scarbutt (what a name) didn't actually say. Namely, that being a developer guarantees you business success.

It certainly doesn't. But it's still tremendously advantageous.

And just as programming can be learned, so too can those business skills. It just requires some combination of reading, mentorship, time, practice, and experience. And that's really the whole point behind the interviews on Indie Hackers, and the community forum as well. To help people learn those skills.

[pryelluw]

This is why Ive supported IH from the very beginning. Its a great resource.

Your comment made me realize that mine came out a bit negative. I certainly agree that business skills may be studied and developed as any others. Maybe Im a little burned out from talking with people who just want a 5 minute solution to a 5 year problem.

I also run a little podcast[0] to help people learn and develop those skills. Its new and very rough around the edges, but the last episode will resonate a lot with software developers who decided to dip their toes on the business end of the pool. :)

[0] http://yelluw.com/podcast

Note: Im setting up https these coming days.