I struggled 10 years to find a SaaS product that worked, launched 20 projects (and there was no AI back then), way before the "indie hackers" movement.
Now our company is doing a few millions a year, highly profitable, no VC or external investment.
Was luck that I decided to try over and over? I might got lucky, but I persisted for so long while many others gave up. For me, making your own luck fits very well. Working hard gives you opportunities and you learn in the process so on next try, chances are better. Last projects got more and more profitable as I learned how to identify what people want.
Sure, I don't deny the importance of hard work. But then again, how many people worked hard, the same hard as you or maybe even harder, and it took them 20 years to get to 1M? 30 years? How many never made it despite working hard?
I feel like we, humans, have some repulsion towards "getting lucky". It's seen as a discredit of our hard work, and yet, I think luck plays way bigger role. And it's spread across the board starting from the type of community you are born into, the education you get, the access to connection you and/or your family has, the money, etc.
It doesn't mean that it's only luck. As I said, you can get lucky a thousand time but if you didn't prepare for it, then it's not worth it. This is why consistency is important.
Now our company is doing a few millions a year, highly profitable, no VC or external investment.
Was luck that I decided to try over and over? I might got lucky, but I persisted for so long while many others gave up. For me, making your own luck fits very well. Working hard gives you opportunities and you learn in the process so on next try, chances are better. Last projects got more and more profitable as I learned how to identify what people want.