When I launched XLNavigator, my first instinct was to keep my head down and work in silence. After all, that's what most developers do, right? Build the product, ship it, then talk about it.
But somewhere between fixing bugs at 2 AM and celebrating my first sale, I realized I was missing something important: the conversation.
The Isolation of Solo Building
Building software alone is exhilarating and terrifying in equal measure. Every decision is yours. Every success. Every failure. And when you're stuck on a particularly nasty bug at midnight, there's no team to brainstorm with, no coworker to grab coffee with the next morning.
I found myself wanting to share what I was learning—not just the wins, but the struggles too.
What "Building in Public" Means to Me
Building in public isn't about broadcasting every minor update or humble-bragging disguised as transparency. For me, it's about three things:
1. Accountability
When you share your goals publicly, you're more likely to follow through. There's something about saying "I'm going to ship this feature by Friday" that makes Friday deadlines real.
2. Learning in Public
The best way to solidify your understanding is to teach others. By writing about what I'm building and how I'm solving problems, I force myself to truly understand the solutions.
3. Building Relationships
Solo founder doesn't have to mean lonely founder. By sharing my journey, I've connected with other builders, potential customers, and people who just find the process interesting.
The Fear of Sharing
I'll be honest: sharing your work publicly is scary. What if people think my code is terrible? What if my product ideas are laughable? What if I fail publicly?
These fears are real, but here's what I've learned: most people are rooting for you. The internet can be harsh, but there's also a huge community of builders who want to see you succeed.
And the critics? They're usually not building anything themselves.
What I'm Committing To
Going forward, I'm committing to:
- Weekly updates on what I'm building and learning
- Honest revenue numbers as XLNavigator grows (or doesn't)
- Behind-the-scenes looks at my development process
- Real challenges I'm facing, not just polished success stories
Why This Matters for You
If you're reading this and thinking about building your own product, I want you to know: you don't need permission to start. You don't need a CS degree, a big team, or venture funding.
You just need an idea, some determination, and a willingness to learn as you go.
And maybe, just maybe, a willingness to share that journey with others.
Let's Build Together
Building in public isn't just about me sharing—it's about creating a conversation. I want to hear from you:
- What are you building?
- What's holding you back?
- What do you want to know about the solo founder journey?
Hit reply if you're reading this via email, or reach out directly. Let's learn together.
This is the first post in my building in public journey. If you want to follow along, subscribe to get updates in your inbox.