[garply]

You're asking how to build a business. Getting a product to generate 2,500 USD a month is non-trivial. In fact, going from 0 to 2,500 is probably going to be easier than going from 2,500 to 7,500 or 10,000.

Start simpler. Ask yourself how to build a product that can bring you 20 USD a month. Think of something that you can realistically envision yourself selling a couples of copies of a month right away. Then figure out how to go from there.

By the way, running a business isn't going to reduce your stress. And whether or not you'll be able to make money from a certain product / service is really speculative. You'll eventually get something to work if you keep working at it, but it can take time to figure it out. Maybe you should just consult in the short term.

As someone who's been desperate for cash before, I don't think starting a product business in order to obtain fast money is a good idea, unless you have experience selling to your target demographic and are really confident about your idea. Or unless you don't have any opportunities to actively work for the money, but you say you can easily get a rails dev job.

[Sargis]

I honestly think going from 0 to 2500 will be harder than 2500 to 10000. Lots of people don't get to that first 2500 because their products aren't in demand, but if you do, you'll realize there is demand for your product and from then on you start scaling.

[garply]

I'm sorry, my head is on wrong today. I totally agree with you. I meant to say, the first 2500 are the hardest by far. If you can make that much, scaling is pretty easy.

s/probably going to be easier/probably going to be harder