Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business 1358: The End of Expensive SaaS? Why Custom Software is Your Next Big Move w/ Andrew Stabeno
Is "vibe coding" making programmers obsolete? In a world buzzing with AI-powered development tools, it's easy to think you can build a complex, secure application with just a few prompts. Andrew Stabeno, a business-minded developer and digital nomad, joins the show to reveal why that's a dangerous misconception. He explains that while AI is a powerful tool, it’s accelerating the opportunity for entrepreneurs to create custom software tailored to their exact needs, rather than replacing the experts who build them.
This episode is a must-listen for any entrepreneur tired of paying for bloated, expensive SaaS products that don't quite fit their workflow. Andrew breaks down how the new tech landscape makes custom solutions more accessible than ever, allowing you to build exactly what you need, save money in the long run, and gain a significant competitive advantage. Drawing from his experience running a software agency in Jordan, he also provides a masterclass on how to ethically and effectively tap into the global talent pool to bring your vision to life.
💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business
- Why "vibe coding" is a powerful collaborator, not a replacement for skilled developers (and the critical security gaps AI can’t fill on its own).
- How to identify the tipping point when it’s more cost-effective to build your own custom software instead of paying for multiple, oversized SaaS subscriptions.
- The strategic advantage of building bespoke tools that perfectly match your unique business operations, rather than forcing your processes to fit a pre-made solution.
- A look into the future: why niche, custom-built software will become the new standard for small and medium-sized businesses.
- How to leverage the global talent pool to build high-quality tech without breaking the bank, and why a cultural "bridge" is key to success.
- The step-by-step process of turning a business pain point into a custom software project, from initial consultation to MVP and ongoing maintenance.
📝 About Andrew Stabeno
Andrew Stabeno is a business-minded developer, digital nomad, and founder of the software development agency Mount Seir Tech. Originally from Dallas, Texas, Andrew has spent 16 years living abroad and is currently based in Amman, Jordan. He is passionate about leveraging technology to create opportunities and has a specific desire to bring high-quality tech jobs to the Middle East. Andrew's unique perspective comes from bridging the gap between American business needs and the incredible, often untapped, talent within the global tech community.
🎯 Andrew’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs
"Be adaptable... if you're not adaptable, then... you could be irrelevant tomorrow."
📢 Memorable Quotes
- “I think it is going to be instead of needing 20 programmers, you might need two, but it just means you can build more stuff in a shorter amount of time.” – Andrew Stabeno
- “Before you know it, it's like, man, you put about as much time into making all these software packages that you're paying per user per month... you could have like almost built your own with AI at this point.” – Andrew Stabeno
- “You could get... a bunch of credit card information stolen because you told [AI] to store some credit cards in plain text because you didn't know any better. And it said, ‘Sure, I can do that,’ and didn't say you shouldn't.” – Andrew Stabeno
🔗 Links & Resources