2. Part-time Solopreneur - Live idea generation
A practical guide to generating proven, low-effort business ideas while working a full-time job.
Finding a Side Hustle That Respects Your Time
This blog distills advice from around the internet for a particular kind of entrepreneur: someone working a full-time job who still wants to build a niche side hustle. You’re looking for the highest-leverage use of your time, so you need content that treats your time responsibly.
Today, we’ll look at the first step in creating a business — idea generation. Everyone’s situation is different, and the ideas you can actually execute will depend on your background and skills. This blog assumes readers are somewhat technical, social, and interested in building an online product — but even if you’re not, the same principles apply.
We’ll cover idea validation later, but for now, the main criteria we’re looking for are ideas that are:
Already proven. Don’t waste time validating something no one has tried. Take an idea that already exists, fix something that frustrates users, and deliver immediate value.
Easy to maintain. The goal isn’t to create another full-time job.
Low marketing spend. You’re willing to invest, but not to compete with VC-backed giants.
Something you’d use yourself. Working on a product you’d actually pay for keeps motivation high.
I first heard this framework from solopreneur Samuel Rondot, and it’s a great lens for thinking about sustainable businesses.
Where to Look for Ideas
For my own project, I’m focused on an online product or service. I’m comfortable writing code — especially with AI tools — and confident in building the technology. If you’re less technical, try seeing how far AI tools can take you, then use freelancers or contractors for the rest.
There are two main directions worth exploring:
Base your product on an existing, successful app.
Study what they do well and where users still struggle.
You can often reach your target audience using a similar marketing approach.
Develop an extension or plugin for another platform.
Think of ecosystems like Notion, Shopify, or Airtable.
Users already search for tools within these marketplaces, so your audience is easier to reach.
Both approaches give you a proven market and a clear path to distribution — which is exactly what you need when your time is limited.