Who Am I

Hi, I’m Matija. I’m a self-taught software developer and entrepreneur. My path to this point wasn’t traditional, but it’s been full of lessons and the pursuit of creating SaaS.

Two years ago, I couldn’t write a single line of code. Today, I build digital products from scratch that people use.

I’ve studied accounting and auditing, which are arguably two of the more boring specialities out there in business. I realized it wasn’t for me after a single interview for a bank. Feeling lost, I decided to go abroad and got my first job in sales for a cannabis startup — the kind of position you can get with zero experience.

First Job, First Lessons

It became evident early in my first job that education alone isn’t enough. CRM, sales funnels, sales cycles, newsletters — it was all new to me.

Every day felt like I was learning as much as I had during my entire bachelor’s degree.

After just one month, I quickly realized cold calling wasn’t my thing.

I noticed the shiny, creative work the marketing team was doing and asked the CEO if I could help.

That’s when I got my first exposure to email marketing, and I loved it — playing with tools, creating lists, scheduling newsletters — it all felt exciting.

The possibilities seemed endless.

I later learned on is what set me apart from the candidates for that job were a few small side projects I’d worked on.

First exposure to code

Over time, I realized many processes could be automated, but this often required something unfamiliar to me: code.

When I found articles online explaining how to do something with code, I instinctively navigated away.

However, as sales data, deals, and newsletter activities piled up, I was asked to create reports. I hit a wall with HubSpot’s reporting limitations. In search of an alternative, my research led me to SQL. This was my first real exposure to anything related to coding.

Discovering the power of simple code fueled me to try more. Soon, I was using Python to write basic scripts to run API actions in bulk and connect tools.

I started my journey as a self-taught software developer with no background in coding. Relying on YouTube and Udemy courses, I’ve learned to build products without expensive tools or formal education.

The decision to go solo

In 2021, I decided to quit my job to focus entirely on learning how to build full-stack applications. This meant letting go of the salary that allowed me to live comfortably in Brussels with my girlfriend and afford everything we needed.

I had no formal plan, just a strong desire to learn.

To tackle such a complex topic, I knew I needed to dedicate myself entirely. Inspired by Ultralearning by Scott H. Young, I created a curriculum and dove in.

Why Should Anyone Read This?

Ever since I have been on a journey to build useful digital tools. I’ve worked on many projects, but most of them haven’t seen the light of day. This is what I want to change now. I want to start sharing my experiences along the way.

Whether you’re a seasoned expert or someone just starting out, my hope is that my findings — what works, what doesn’t, and what I learn — can inspire and support you.

My goal is to connect with individuals who possess “tribal knowledge” — those who are experts in their own fields but may not realize how much easier their lives could be with the right software. I want to identify their challenges, build simple solutions, and make a meaningful impact.

I embrace AI to develop faster and smarter, focusing on the big picture: solving problems. I am trying to find the best way to leverage LLMs for code generation, the best processes, and the best cursor rules for different types of projects. My approach starts with the idea: how to use ChatGPT or similar tools to brainstorm, research problems/pain points, identify features, and define the MVP. With the help of LLMs, I define the task list and database schema, then pass it to code generation. This and more I will be sharing.

The End Goal

For me, this isn’t just about building software. It’s about living a life of freedom:

• Freedom to choose what I work on.
• Freedom to choose who I work with.
• Freedom to choose when I work — whether that means grinding for days on end or taking a break to recharge when I need it.

This freedom allows me to immerse myself fully in creation. A traditional job didn’t work for me because it felt too narrow and too defined. Instead, I’ve chosen the long game — quitting the comfort of a regular paycheck to pursue something more fulfilling. Yes, there’s short-term pain, but I believe in the mission: replacing my income with work that matters to me.

What I Am Passionate About?

I’m passionate about the process of discovery and creation — taking a spark of an idea and turning it into something real, meaningful, and valuable.

It all starts with people. I love talking to individuals, understanding their unique challenges, and unearthing problems they might not even realize are holding them back.

There’s something exciting about spotting opportunities in their blind spots, acquiring tribal knowledge, and seeing potential where others might overlook it.

Once I identify a problem, the real fun begins:

Quick Validation: Drafting an MVP to test the problem as quickly as possible. I enjoy catching an idea mid-moment — whether it’s while running or having a random conversation — and jotting it down using IdeaOtter, a tool I’m building specifically for this purpose.

Iterative Brainstorming: Returning to that idea, fleshing it out with tools like ChatGPT, defining features, choosing the tech stack, and breaking it down into actionable tasks.

Diving into Creation: Sitting down at my desk, updating my .cursorules, and getting into the zone with Cursor to bring the idea to life. That flow state is incredible—when you feel a tingling sensation in your brain.

What I love most is the rush of capturing and shaping information before it slips away. From ideation to development to launch, the process is a mix of excitement, learning, and growth.

Can this entire process — problem to monetized solution — be done in five days, like in a sprint? That’s what I’m testing.

At the core, this journey is about more than software. It’s about fulfilment through creation, embracing uncertainty, and finding purpose in work that feels meaningful.

What do I Offer Readers?

This isn’t just about my journey — it’s also about helping you start yours. If you’re someone with no coding background or only basic technical skills, I want to show you that creating digital solutions is achievable.

Through this blog, I’ll document my work in public — sharing lessons, challenges, and moments of clarity. I aim to inspire, support, and learn alongside others on similar paths.

What I find useful might be obvious to some, but it could make all the difference for someone else. There are others on similar journeys, and together we can learn, support each other, and inspire each other to keep going, start fresh, and succeed in our endeavours.

My tech stack primarily revolves around Next.js, utilizing the latest features like server actions and server components, React 19’s new hooks useActionState and startTransition, Prisma with PostgreSQL, Tailwind CSS, ShadCN UI library, Tanstack, React Vite, Express.js, FastAPI (Python), Docker, and hosting on a VPS.

Announcements Of The First Two Projects

So, to kick off this process, I’m announcing two projects I’ve been working on recently.

1) IdeaOtter — CRM for ideas

Ever had a great idea slip away because you couldn’t note it down in time?
Most of my ideas come when my mind wanders — often while I’m running, actually. My duct tape solution was to use ChatGPT’s speech-to-text feature to record it, save it for later, add it to Notion, and discuss it further in ChatGPT. But honestly, it was all over the place.

IdeaOtter solves this by offering a streamlined process to capture, store, and develop your ideas.

How It Works

• Speak Your Ideas: Record your thoughts the moment they happen.
• Smart Organization: Automatically categorize ideas with tags. AI parses the problem statement, target audience, and assumptions (if present), and creates an entry in the app.
• Develop Your Ideas: As the idea grows, you can capture updates, reflections, notes, add journal entries, and even mark pivots — just like managing a sales pipeline.

The Problem It Tries To Solve

People often lose valuable ideas because existing tools are inconvenient or disorganized. IdeaOtter bridges this gap with an app designed for speed, structure, and simplicity.

2) Recreational Sports Admin Assistant (I have no name yet)

Managing payments for recreational sports can be a mess. I’ve seen it firsthand playing futsal, football, and other weekly games. Someone always has to track who came, who owes how much, and who paid — usually using a notebook or a spreadsheet. It’s chaotic, error-prone, and time-consuming.

The app tries to solve this by making it easy for organizers to track attendance, payments, and balances across events and leagues.

How It Works

• Track Attendance: Mark who showed up and calculate their share of the event cost.
• Manage Payments: Keep tabs on who paid, who owes, and carry over balances between events or leagues.
• Stay Organized: Admins can handle multiple leagues, set custom event costs, and see a clear financial overview.

The Problem It Solves

Organizers spend too much time managing finances manually, often leading to confusion and mistakes. It offers a clear, structured way to handle payments, so everyone can focus on the game.

In Closing

If this resonates with you, I’d love for you to follow my journey.

You can subscribe here on Medium, visit my site at buildwithmatija.com, or connect with me on LinkedIn.

I’ll be sharing my process, the mistakes I make, lessons learned, and insights I pick up along the way.

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to connecting with you.

Thanks,
Matija