[Blakestr]

So, I kinda did this - I needed a developer for my startup but couldn't afford to pay one. So I learned myself, though I didn't use a bootcamp, just tried to build what I could and learn more from MOOC's like udemy or youtube channel or discord servers. As my startup grows my first hire is going to be a lead developer. (Whom I will probably have to give some equity when he sees how much of my code he is going to have to fix)

It's a tremendous advantage if you ask me, that I can speak in his language. Ideas are a lot easier to plan out and conceptualize.

If your product is purely software, yeah, learn to code some, but remember you are doing it as a means to an end. The moment you get a professional, hand the reins over, because that's not your main strength.

I think you are doing the right thing by browsing on HN. Read what developers are talking about, there's a fair amount of time I won't even understand what the title is talking about but every time I read it, it gives me an idea about what developers struggle with.

There's no checkbox for "is now a good communicator". It's a spectrum, you just have to keep learning.