Building on the Side: Why I Started a SaaS While Working Full-Time

Before This, My Focus Was Simple

My focus used to be straightforward. Do well at work, keep improving, and grow steadily in my role. That part hasn’t changed. But at some point, I started wondering what else I could build if I gave myself the space to try. It wasn’t because something was missing. It was more about curiosity and wanting to explore beyond the structure of my day-to-day work.

Why I Built a Portfolio Anyway

Earlier in my career, I didn’t really depend on having a portfolio. I was able to land roles through interviews and assessments, so it wasn’t something I prioritized. Over time, though, I decided to build one anyway. Part of that decision was practical. I wanted to open up the possibility of taking on freelance work and have something I could share with potential clients. It’s different when you can show real systems instead of just describing what you’ve done.

At the same time, I also started looking beyond my current environment, including opportunities in markets like the US and UK. I understand those opportunities are not guaranteed, but that wasn’t really the point. The goal was to prepare differently and create more options for myself over time.

Choosing to Build Something Real

When it came to building, I didn’t want to create small projects just to fill a portfolio. I wanted something that felt real, something that required consistent effort and actual decision-making. That’s what led me to start building a SaaS product. It’s a different experience compared to typical development work, mainly because there are no clear instructions, no predefined structure, and no immediate feedback loop like you get in a team.

Some days, there’s no signal at all. No one is waiting for the feature, no one is reviewing your work. It’s just you and the system you’re trying to figure out, which makes the process both challenging and valuable.

What Makes It Different

Building on the side forces a different kind of thinking. You have to make decisions without full certainty, deal with incomplete information, and stay consistent even when progress feels slow. There’s no external pressure pushing you forward, which sounds easier, but often isn’t. The responsibility becomes entirely yours, including whether things move forward at all.

Doing It While Staying Committed

At the same time, I’m still working full-time, and I take that seriously. This isn’t about trying to leave my current role or replace it. It’s something I do alongside it. In many ways, it complements what I already do. It gives me space to explore areas that don’t always come up in regular work and helps me think more deeply about how I approach building systems.

Opening Up Possibilities

This shift has changed how I think about growth. Before, it felt more linear, like moving from one step to the next. Now it feels more open. I don’t really know where this SaaS will go. It might stay small, or it might turn into something bigger. There’s no clear outcome yet, and I’m fine with that.

What matters more is that it creates possibilities that wouldn’t exist otherwise. It gives me a different perspective on what I can build and where things could lead.

Final Thought

Building on the side isn’t about chasing something bigger right away. Sometimes it’s just about exploring, trying something without guarantees, and seeing where it leads. For me, building a SaaS and putting together a portfolio is part of that process. It’s a way to think differently, take on real challenges, and open doors I don’t fully see yet.

Author

Jose Albert Arnedo

Full-Stack Engineer focused on ERP systems and SaaS platforms