Being a founder just has a great sound to it doesn’t it? I had just quit my nine to five for what came to be very valid reasons. With my ALX Africa Software EngIneering Certificate in hand, I had to put all the lessons from the past year to good use.
The year was 2023 and I found myself captivated by a simple yet persistent thought, a solution that I haven’t seen around. What started as a Web development pitch for a potential client, just like a seed—a possibility— it was enough to get me thinking about what it takes to turn a fleeting idea into something tangible. Over time, that seed grew into something I couldn’t ignore.
But… as always, life happens. a website development gig here, a digital marketing client there, a tech event over the weekend, and the idea took a seat on the back banner, silently marinating away and gaining more power by the day. The thought of creating something meaningful kept resurfacing, and I realized it was time to take it seriously.
Building anything from scratch is a journey that demands passion and more than that, patience. One has to be patient with themselves and the idea itself as it is being explored to ensure it is one that will thrive, dedicating time to tend to it as a gardener to his crops if they want to harvest a reasonable yield because as it is already known, you get out what you put in.
In this case, the first step was about clarity—understanding what you’re trying to achieve and why it matters. But even with clarity, the journey is far from straightforward. It’s about shaping the unknown, and often, that started with asking myself the tough questions: Who is this for? What problems does it solve? What makes it different? Does it even matter?
Understanding these questions and ensuring that the answer to all them was an enthusiastic “YES” before I proceeded, as you know, the foundation has to be strong before you can build upwards. This means diving deep into research, seeking validation, and being open to feedback. You have to know the market, identify potential challenges, and refine your approach. It’s a process of discovery and iteration, where each step brings you closer to something real.
It is in late 2024, I found myself diving deep in this process. It was not always glamorous—there were countless hours spent brainstorming, revising, and second-guessing. But every moment is a step forward, a necessary part of laying the groundwork for something bigger. Looking back, I realize that this phase, though slow and sometimes frustrating, was essential. An idea—no matter how brilliant—needs structure and purpose to thrive.
Now it is a new year and it feels like someone lit a fire under me. It is an unpredictable journey of discovery for me and I’d like for you to come along with me or better still, start building your idea alongside me and we could compare notes and learn from each other. I’d so love that
Stay tuned for Part 2, where i’ll share my thought process through the ideation stage and how the pieces started to come together for something truly exciting.
Until next time,
Your Tech Aunty