“Audit” (sorry I can’t think of a better word) compliance for visits by government agencies (regulators, what have you) are STILL in 2017 a great place to start

“Audit” (sorry I can’t think of a better word) compliance for visits by government agencies (regulators, what have you) are STILL in 2017 a great place to start a software business. The first product I made and sold on the side was for small trucking companies to do safety compliance in a specific niche. It was such a crappy app built on MS Access but it helped my customers sail through DOT audits. The DOT auditors had seen nothing like it. Customers loved it. A friend went on to turn the product into a sizable business. Small businesses face more regulation each year. This isn’t a value judgement about regulation, just take a look at the Federal Register. It’s just a fact of life. Agencies and congress are hard at work adding to the CFR. This is perfect work for the solo developer who wants to own a little niche. Steps to get started. 1. Befriend small business owner or compliance person in small-medium sized business. 2. Ask how much time they spend on compliance, and how much it costs when they fuck up. Establish a unit cost. 3. Sketch up a paper prototype and iterate with the initial customer. 4. Build basic demo, show to your first customer’s colleagues. Get feedback. 5. Get group of potential customers to commit to buying at a specific price (discounted for them taking a chance on you) and to write you a check up front. Promise a delivery date of what you’ve agreed to deliver. (You can promise full refund if necessary but get a check to get through sales objections). 6. Hold checks. Don’t cash. 7. Build the damn thing 8. Deliver 9. Fix initial complaints because you’re a bozo not a wizard harry. 10. Sell to other people in your niche.