20 years working on the same software product (successfulsoftware.net)

Article summary

The author of the article has been working on the same software product, PerfectTablePlan, for 20 years, and it has been profitable every year since its launch. The product is a table seating planning software that has been used by famous organizations and for high-profile events. The author has chosen to keep the business small and flexible, allowing for a good work-life balance. The software has undergone several updates and improvements over the years, with the latest version being released in 2024.

Main themes

• Software development
• Entrepreneurship
• Niche markets
• Long-term product maintenance
• Lifestyle business

What commenters say

• The use of genetic algorithms in the software is effective for producing decent solutions, but may not be globally optimal.
• Some commenters appreciate the idea of working on a niche piece of software that solves a problem for a subset of people, rather than aiming for a large-scale startup.
• Others note that finding jobs at small, bootstrapped companies with a good niche can be difficult, despite the potential for a good work-life balance and meaningful work.
• There is a perceived impedance mismatch between the needs and expectations of small business founders and those of potential employees, making it hard to find the right fit.
• The trend in the software industry towards consolidation has led to a decrease in the number of small software companies, making it harder to find opportunities.
• Some argue that small niches can be very big and profitable, allowing for a stable business without being interesting to BigTech companies.
• The use of a genetic algorithm in the software is seen as a good choice, given the nuances of seating plans and the need for a specialized solution.
• The author's decision to keep the business small and flexible has allowed for a good work-life balance, but may not be the right choice for everyone.