[hank_tepaliu]

I am very much in the same position (same age, Europe, nearly two decades experiences in the tech industry, both in management and engineering, turned freelance three years ago).

Here is what I did in the last months: I trimmed down my consulting revenues to 2 workdays a week and am now building a lifestyle software business. After a couple of false starts I picked a product that a.) would bring me immediate benefit once it is built b.) already has competitors out there. That second part is important to me: It minimises my risk picking a product idea without market. If there is enough demand for my variant of this product is a hypothesis to be proven, but I am willing to take that risk.

tldr: I would not look for something that has not been done before. I would take something you use everyday and make it better (for you). It sounds like a platitude but I think there is some truth in it.

good luck

[odev]

thanks. have you gotten out of stealth mode yet?

[hank_tepaliu]

nope, it's gonna take a while until then. hence the consulting: 2 weekdays is OK money-wise and there is still enough time to build a product.

[odev]

well I have a family and 2 days / week would not be enough. 3 - 4 would be better. you have to have a good rate :)