272: Andrew Hodson — A Mechanic's Leap into Tech Entrepreneurship
The Bootstrapped Founder
Engineering vs Diagnostics
This chapter explores the similarities and differences between engineering and diagnostics work, highlighting the challenges of estimating labor time in the tech industry compared to the automotive industry.
Andrew Hudson (@MyBuddyAndrew) is an indie hacker who has taken an unconventional journey. From getting his hands dirty as an auto mechanic to now paving the way as a software entrepreneur, Andrew shares how skills honed in the garage fuel his tech ventures, Hauling Buddies and WrenchRadar. We get under the hood of his entrepreneurial journey, discussing the challenges and triumphs of running a two-sided marketplace for pet transportation and how his knack for logical thinking and compartmentalization drives his businesses forward.
We explore how a simple Facebook group grew into a booming business, with Andrew shedding light on his strategies to harness social media and tap into niche markets. We also discuss Andrew's exciting book project inspired by his son's love for space. This episode is a deep dive into the world of independent hacking, entrepreneurship, and the power of passion projects that all started with an auto mechanic's love for problem-solving.
Andrew on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MyBuddyAndrew
00:00:00 From Auto Mechanic to Software Entrepreneur
00:09:53 Building Facebook Groups for Hauling Services
00:19:44 Running a Marketplace Challenges and Solutions
00:29:07 Business Idea Development With AI and Automotive Data
00:36:16 Challenges With Car Software Updates
00:46:53 Learning, Building, and Sharing
This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com
The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/andrew-hodson-a-mechanics-leap-into-tech-entrepreneurship/
The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/272-andrew-hodson-a-mechanics-leap-into-tech-entrepreneurship
The video: https://youtu.be/UK9nhk9zGR0
You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com
Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast
Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter
My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/
My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/
My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com
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- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx
- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid
- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid
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- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw
- (00:00) - From Auto Mechanic to Software Entrepreneur
- (09:53) - Building Facebook Groups for Hauling Services
- (19:44) - Running a Marketplace Challenges and Solutions
- (29:07) - Business Idea Development With AI and Automotive Data
- (36:16) - Challenges With Car Software Updates
- (46:53) - Learning, Building, and Sharing
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