[aconsult1]

I find your comment very accurate of the status quo when you look at dev consulting companies at large.

The funny thing is: I started my software engineer career working for a large consulting firm and my frustration with the whole game was exactly my motivation 15 years ago to start my own business. I wanted to create a company that was 1) fun place to work for devs and 2) that was able to deliver on time and on budget on every single project (I'm obsessed about customer satisfaction).

15 years later and many many projects later I think I have definitely succeeded in my goal. So I think I have proof that software consulting doesn't really have to be that way. I can be fun, profitable and beneficial to all parties involved. We never had to hire a single sales person until 2020 because word of mouth kept us going.

By the way, we work at much better margins than those listed in here (I'm too shy to say the number though).

I think a lot has to do with passion and dedication. Knowing when to say no to customers and when to call bs on their deadlines.

I have definitely lost deals to other companies with a not-so-good value proposition but in the end those same customer come back calling us once they project melt in front of their eyes. I lost count how many times that happened. At least 30% of our project are a re-do of other companies fuck-ups.

[wpietri]

Congrats! Yes, I should have mentioned that I know some people who have made a successful go of it. And yes, some clients are capable of actually learning lessons. Glad to hear you're finding them.