Ask HN: What Do to Outside Tech?

2 points by 101008 3 days ago | 2 comments

Maybe because of AI (or maybe not, let's not blame AI for everything), I would like to try starting a side business that gets me away from programming for a bit. Basically, I don't want to build a SaaS (but an e-commerce wouldn't bother me)

My main interests are music and books. I thought about a bookstore or a vinyl shop, but I don't see what interesting angle I could offer compared to the thousands that already exist. Maybe a niche one, focused on importing books (since I don't live in a first-world country, there might be an advantage there), or something for collectors? But I'm not sure what.

A recent comment suggested a bulletin or newsletter about concerts and music events in the city, which could work (even if it might not make money... which wouldn't be terrible either).

Does anyone have any advice, experience, or ideas they could share?

zer0tonin 3 days ago |

If you need good ideas, don't ask HN, you won't find any of that here.

Sit down with no distractions other most a pen and a piece of paper, for an hour and write down your ideas. Next day, check if your ideas suck, and if they do (they probably do), repeat step 1.

Also a quick note about entrepreneurship: stop thinking of opening "side business". If you want to succeed, the business has to become your main thing, any job you keep to put food on the table has to become the "side job".

spottedmarley 3 days ago |

open a nightly open mic venue, a lounge for local artists. might be best if you get a liquor license ($$$) but it's not strictly necessary if your venue is genuinely nice, luxurious, or maybe it's more of a vape lounge. foster up and comers and provide a place for artists to network. maybe have a karaoke night, a comedy night, etc..