Currently, I work a traditional corporate job (8 AM to 6 PM with a 2-hour lunch break), but commuting and resting consumes almost the entire break. As an enterprise software developer and IT student, I decided to build a SaaS in my spare time to change this reality. I will be using JavaScript and PHP, leveraging my existing infrastructure on Hostinger. My idea is an ultra-intuitive web resume builder focused exclusively on non-technical users—those without computers, technical experience, or digital skills who currently pay third parties for simple tasks. The goal is to deliver extreme ease of use and customization directly on mobile.
#01 Phase 1: Demand Validation — Does the Product Truly Solve a Pain Point?
Before investing time and code into a project, we need to validate whether the market truly has demand and if the idea is viable. To test this, I built an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) with a minimal scope and strong visual simplicity. I published the project on GitHub Pages.
With the "mini SaaS" live, I shared it with a few friends. The outcome surprised me: two of them started using the tool to make money. They offered resume creation services in local job groups, charged R$ 5.00 (~$1.00 USD) per customer, and began earning R$ 20.00 to R$ 30.00 daily.
The idea was validated and demonstrated clear market demand. However, I discovered a crucial detail that reshapes our entire roadmap: the end customer changed. The people using the tool weren't job seekers themselves, but rather intermediaries who saw a business opportunity. This pivot completely alters our marketing strategy and business model (B2B vs. B2C).
The Real Customer: B2C or B2B?
Non-technical people who don't have a computer and need a resume for themselves.
The entrepreneurial intermediary who uses the web app as a professional tool to profit by providing resume services.
#02 Phase 2: Private Development and Custom Infrastructure
It was time to move the project to my own domain. I made a strategic decision: I removed the MVP from GitHub and closed public access. In business, if someone with greater ad spend copies your idea, they scale faster and leave you behind. The market proved me right: competitors quickly emerged trying to mimic it. Fortunately, none managed to break out or achieve meaningful scale. My goal with this SaaS is precisely to build something that truly dominates.
Therefore, I transitioned software development to private repositories. The user flow is seamless: visitors land on the Landing Page, understand the value proposition, enter the web app to build their resume, and pay just R$ 5 (~$1.00) via Pix to unlock downloads. The key differentiator will be offering formats beyond standard PDF, such as PNG and animated HTML web resumes.
Currently, I am polishing logic and the site is already in staging. A critical milestone was quality assurance. The love of my life helped test and caught several bugs I had overlooked. This underscores a golden rule in software engineering: never test your product alone. You need someone with a fresh user mindset to uncover real issues prior to public launch.
"Never test your software product alone. You need another person reviewing the system with genuine user eyes to identify real flaws before the public launch."
#03 Phase 3: The True Frontier — Organic Growth & Marketing
Now comes the phase most underestimate, but which is actually the hardest: marketing. Building a "Netflix 2" does no good if users are happy with the original. Why would anyone switch? To overcome this friction, our product must be perceived as the definitive solution to an urgent pain point, delivering tangible value immediately.
With zero ad budget, my strategy is 100% focused on organic distribution. Initially, I will concentrate on Pinterest and Instagram. Once traction is established, I plan to expand to Facebook and TikTok. The focus is simple, high-structure visuals and educational reels.
My initial goal is publishing two high-quality posts weekly per platform, heavily relying on SEO techniques to drive free, recurring traffic.
This is only episode one of this journey. I hope you enjoy following my developer voyage—and seeing whether I achieve financial triumph or face hardship in the end. The next chapter won't take long.
I placed a direct link below to reward those who read the full journey. It leads to the Landing Page and Web App. If you discover any bugs or feedback, please drop a note in the comments.
"Remember: if you don't pursue paths outside the conventional system, you risk letting your dreams fade. Be stronger than your obstacles and never surrender your financial freedom easily."
— Ytalo DevUntil the next episode, friends! See you there.