Lavanya Mishra | MVP Specialist | Indie Hacker
@coolindiehacker.bsky.social
Shipping Chrome extensions & micro-SaaS.
Your MVP in 14 days. 2/3 slots filled – DM for the last one.
Your MVP in 14 days. 2/3 slots filled – DM for the last one.
Follow me on Substack for more content like this one: coolindiehacker.substack.com
Lavanya Mishra | Substack
MVP Specialist | Indie Hacker | Shipping Chrome extensions & micro-SaaS. Your MVP in 14 days. 2/3 slots filled – DM for the last one. Click to read Lavanya Mishra, a Substack publication. Launched 2 m...
coolindiehacker.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Follow me on Substack for more content like this one: coolindiehacker.substack.com
Would you rather grow slow and stay free, or move fast with strings attached?
November 11, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Would you rather grow slow and stay free, or move fast with strings attached?
Bootstrapping is slower, lonelier, and tougher.
But it teaches focus, patience, and ownership — things money can’t buy.
Maybe I’ll raise capital someday. But for now, I’m learning to build on my own terms.
But it teaches focus, patience, and ownership — things money can’t buy.
Maybe I’ll raise capital someday. But for now, I’m learning to build on my own terms.
November 11, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Bootstrapping is slower, lonelier, and tougher.
But it teaches focus, patience, and ownership — things money can’t buy.
Maybe I’ll raise capital someday. But for now, I’m learning to build on my own terms.
But it teaches focus, patience, and ownership — things money can’t buy.
Maybe I’ll raise capital someday. But for now, I’m learning to build on my own terms.
4. No More Executing Someone Else’s Ideas
One reason I left my job: I was tired of building other people’s visions.
Now, every idea I test, every risk I take — it’s all mine.
It’s heavier, but it’s also real.
One reason I left my job: I was tired of building other people’s visions.
Now, every idea I test, every risk I take — it’s all mine.
It’s heavier, but it’s also real.
November 11, 2025 at 7:33 AM
4. No More Executing Someone Else’s Ideas
One reason I left my job: I was tired of building other people’s visions.
Now, every idea I test, every risk I take — it’s all mine.
It’s heavier, but it’s also real.
One reason I left my job: I was tired of building other people’s visions.
Now, every idea I test, every risk I take — it’s all mine.
It’s heavier, but it’s also real.
3. Control Over My Time
As a bootstrapper, I’m the CEO, coder, and marketer.
It’s chaotic but fulfilling. My day shifts based on what matters most — build, market, write, repeat.
Every mistake and every win? 100% on me.
As a bootstrapper, I’m the CEO, coder, and marketer.
It’s chaotic but fulfilling. My day shifts based on what matters most — build, market, write, repeat.
Every mistake and every win? 100% on me.
November 11, 2025 at 7:33 AM
3. Control Over My Time
As a bootstrapper, I’m the CEO, coder, and marketer.
It’s chaotic but fulfilling. My day shifts based on what matters most — build, market, write, repeat.
Every mistake and every win? 100% on me.
As a bootstrapper, I’m the CEO, coder, and marketer.
It’s chaotic but fulfilling. My day shifts based on what matters most — build, market, write, repeat.
Every mistake and every win? 100% on me.
2. Profits = Control
Taking VC money means giving away equity — and control.
Right now, I’m okay with smaller profits, because every decision stays mine.
Every rupee earned is reinvested my way.
Small pie, full ownership > big pie, shared control.
Taking VC money means giving away equity — and control.
Right now, I’m okay with smaller profits, because every decision stays mine.
Every rupee earned is reinvested my way.
Small pie, full ownership > big pie, shared control.
November 11, 2025 at 7:33 AM
2. Profits = Control
Taking VC money means giving away equity — and control.
Right now, I’m okay with smaller profits, because every decision stays mine.
Every rupee earned is reinvested my way.
Small pie, full ownership > big pie, shared control.
Taking VC money means giving away equity — and control.
Right now, I’m okay with smaller profits, because every decision stays mine.
Every rupee earned is reinvested my way.
Small pie, full ownership > big pie, shared control.
1. Freedom to Create
Owning 100% of my startup means I can shape it however I want.
No investor approvals. No external deadlines. Just my vision and my users.
When you bootstrap, creativity stays pure.
Owning 100% of my startup means I can shape it however I want.
No investor approvals. No external deadlines. Just my vision and my users.
When you bootstrap, creativity stays pure.
November 11, 2025 at 7:33 AM
1. Freedom to Create
Owning 100% of my startup means I can shape it however I want.
No investor approvals. No external deadlines. Just my vision and my users.
When you bootstrap, creativity stays pure.
Owning 100% of my startup means I can shape it however I want.
No investor approvals. No external deadlines. Just my vision and my users.
When you bootstrap, creativity stays pure.
I’ve been building full-time since the start of this month. It’s been a wild mix of highs and lows.
But one thing has become clear: I’d rather build slow and free than fast and controlled.
But one thing has become clear: I’d rather build slow and free than fast and controlled.
November 11, 2025 at 7:33 AM
I’ve been building full-time since the start of this month. It’s been a wild mix of highs and lows.
But one thing has become clear: I’d rather build slow and free than fast and controlled.
But one thing has become clear: I’d rather build slow and free than fast and controlled.
Follow me on Substack: coolindiehacker.substack.com
Lavanya Mishra | Substack
MVP Specialist | Indie Hacker | Shipping Chrome extensions & micro-SaaS. Your MVP in 14 days. 2/3 slots filled – DM for the last one. Click to read Lavanya Mishra, a Substack publication. Launched 2 m...
coolindiehacker.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Follow me on Substack: coolindiehacker.substack.com
Betting on yourself is scary.
But when the wins and failures are yours — life finally feels real again.
But when the wins and failures are yours — life finally feels real again.
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Betting on yourself is scary.
But when the wins and failures are yours — life finally feels real again.
But when the wins and failures are yours — life finally feels real again.
I don’t know how long it’ll take for something to click.
But I know this — I’d rather struggle building my own thing than feel trapped building someone else’s.
But I know this — I’d rather struggle building my own thing than feel trapped building someone else’s.
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 PM
I don’t know how long it’ll take for something to click.
But I know this — I’d rather struggle building my own thing than feel trapped building someone else’s.
But I know this — I’d rather struggle building my own thing than feel trapped building someone else’s.
Now my days look like this:
→ Write, edit, and publish content.
→ Build and improve my products.
→ Market on Reddit and socials.
→ Repeat.
Weekends are optional. Because I actually love the grind.
→ Write, edit, and publish content.
→ Build and improve my products.
→ Market on Reddit and socials.
→ Repeat.
Weekends are optional. Because I actually love the grind.
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Now my days look like this:
→ Write, edit, and publish content.
→ Build and improve my products.
→ Market on Reddit and socials.
→ Repeat.
Weekends are optional. Because I actually love the grind.
→ Write, edit, and publish content.
→ Build and improve my products.
→ Market on Reddit and socials.
→ Repeat.
Weekends are optional. Because I actually love the grind.
So I went all in on indie hacking.
No degree. No safety net.
Just a laptop, a backlog of ideas, and an obsession with creating things that matter.
No degree. No safety net.
Just a laptop, a backlog of ideas, and an obsession with creating things that matter.
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 PM
So I went all in on indie hacking.
No degree. No safety net.
Just a laptop, a backlog of ideas, and an obsession with creating things that matter.
No degree. No safety net.
Just a laptop, a backlog of ideas, and an obsession with creating things that matter.
At first, I thought I needed an MBA to start a startup.
Looked into CAT.
Looked into GMAT.
Even considered an Executive MBA.
Then I realized: most MBA programs prepare you to manage someone else’s company, not build your own.
Looked into CAT.
Looked into GMAT.
Even considered an Executive MBA.
Then I realized: most MBA programs prepare you to manage someone else’s company, not build your own.
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 PM
At first, I thought I needed an MBA to start a startup.
Looked into CAT.
Looked into GMAT.
Even considered an Executive MBA.
Then I realized: most MBA programs prepare you to manage someone else’s company, not build your own.
Looked into CAT.
Looked into GMAT.
Even considered an Executive MBA.
Then I realized: most MBA programs prepare you to manage someone else’s company, not build your own.
I’d been dreaming of working on my own product for years.
That job just gave me the final push.
So I quit — with no plan B.
That job just gave me the final push.
So I quit — with no plan B.
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 PM
I’d been dreaming of working on my own product for years.
That job just gave me the final push.
So I quit — with no plan B.
That job just gave me the final push.
So I quit — with no plan B.
Creativity? Dead.
Designs were pre-made.
Decisions were dictated.
I wasn’t building, I was executing.
And I’m not built to follow a script. I’m built to build.
Designs were pre-made.
Decisions were dictated.
I wasn’t building, I was executing.
And I’m not built to follow a script. I’m built to build.
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Creativity? Dead.
Designs were pre-made.
Decisions were dictated.
I wasn’t building, I was executing.
And I’m not built to follow a script. I’m built to build.
Designs were pre-made.
Decisions were dictated.
I wasn’t building, I was executing.
And I’m not built to follow a script. I’m built to build.
I can handle feedback, but not when it’s based on ego instead of logic.
That’s when I knew I had to leave.
That’s when I knew I had to leave.
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 PM
I can handle feedback, but not when it’s based on ego instead of logic.
That’s when I knew I had to leave.
That’s when I knew I had to leave.
Lesson learned: money matters, but fulfillment matters more.
The work culture didn’t help either.
Micromanagement. Emotional criticism.
Every small thing was nitpicked.
The work culture didn’t help either.
Micromanagement. Emotional criticism.
Every small thing was nitpicked.
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Lesson learned: money matters, but fulfillment matters more.
The work culture didn’t help either.
Micromanagement. Emotional criticism.
Every small thing was nitpicked.
The work culture didn’t help either.
Micromanagement. Emotional criticism.
Every small thing was nitpicked.
Then came the classic trap — chasing money.
I saw everyone around me job-hopping for higher salaries.
So I did the same.
But every Sunday, I felt miserable — something money couldn’t fix.
I saw everyone around me job-hopping for higher salaries.
So I did the same.
But every Sunday, I felt miserable — something money couldn’t fix.
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Then came the classic trap — chasing money.
I saw everyone around me job-hopping for higher salaries.
So I did the same.
But every Sunday, I felt miserable — something money couldn’t fix.
I saw everyone around me job-hopping for higher salaries.
So I did the same.
But every Sunday, I felt miserable — something money couldn’t fix.
The second job felt like a step backward.
At my first company, I did everything — design, frontend, backend, deployment, mentoring.
At the second, I was told what to code, how to code, and when to code.
It felt like I was being paid to switch off my brain.
At my first company, I did everything — design, frontend, backend, deployment, mentoring.
At the second, I was told what to code, how to code, and when to code.
It felt like I was being paid to switch off my brain.
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 PM
The second job felt like a step backward.
At my first company, I did everything — design, frontend, backend, deployment, mentoring.
At the second, I was told what to code, how to code, and when to code.
It felt like I was being paid to switch off my brain.
At my first company, I did everything — design, frontend, backend, deployment, mentoring.
At the second, I was told what to code, how to code, and when to code.
It felt like I was being paid to switch off my brain.
I’ve only worked at two companies so far.
The first one was in carbon emission AI — and I loved every bit of it.
The second was in solar power.
I lasted 4 weeks there before walking away to build something of my own.
The first one was in carbon emission AI — and I loved every bit of it.
The second was in solar power.
I lasted 4 weeks there before walking away to build something of my own.
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 PM
I’ve only worked at two companies so far.
The first one was in carbon emission AI — and I loved every bit of it.
The second was in solar power.
I lasted 4 weeks there before walking away to build something of my own.
The first one was in carbon emission AI — and I loved every bit of it.
The second was in solar power.
I lasted 4 weeks there before walking away to build something of my own.
Follow me on Substack for more content like this: coolindiehacker.substack.com
Lavanya Mishra | Substack
MVP Specialist | Indie Hacker | Shipping Chrome extensions & micro-SaaS. Your MVP in 14 days. 2/3 slots filled – DM for the last one. Click to read Lavanya Mishra, a Substack publication. Launched 2 m...
coolindiehacker.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Follow me on Substack for more content like this: coolindiehacker.substack.com