Courtz Corner

If I had to start over as a solo developer in 2026 with just a laptop, my programming skills, and $0 in revenue, how would I actually make money? In this video, I break down the 7 ways I'd make money as a solo developer in 2026, ranked based on how quickly I could get paid, how difficult each path is, and how much potential it has to grow beyond trading my time for money. I've spent a lot of time thinking about the difference between simply making money as a developer and actually building something that can become a sustainable business. So in this video, I'm focusing on approaches I'd genuinely consider rather than unrealistic "get rich coding" strategies. 🔗 Resources I Recommend For finding real startup/business examples: Indie Hackers — Tech Founder Community For learning about SaaS, pricing, and getting your first customers: Stripe Atlas Guides For learning how to start and structure a technology business: Stripe — How to Start a Technology Company For discovering tools for building SaaS products: DevStack — Developer Tools for Indie Hackers For more resources on building a one-person company: Awesome One Person Company Resources 👨‍💻 Who This Video Is For This video is for: Solo developers Indie hackers Freelance developers Software engineers who want to build businesses Developers looking for side hustles Developers interested in SaaS Developers who want to make money from their coding skills Anyone interested in building a one-person software business If you're trying to figure out how to make money as a developer, what to build as a solo developer, or how to turn your programming skills into a business, I hope this gives you some ideas you can actually put into practice. I'm documenting my own journey building, experimenting, and figuring out what actually works as a solo developer, so subscribe if you want to follow along. What would you choose if you had to start over as a solo developer? Let me know in the comments.

If I had to build and launch an app completely by myself, these are the tools I’d use. In this video, I’m breaking down my entire tech stack as a solo developer — from the AI tools I use to write and debug code, to the databases, hosting platforms, payment infrastructure, version control, and productivity tools that help me actually get projects shipped. The goal of my stack isn't to use the most complicated or “enterprise” tools possible. As a solo developer, I care about moving quickly, keeping costs manageable, and using tools that let me go from an idea → working product → deployed application without needing a huge engineering team. I’ll walk through how I use Cursor, Claude, ChatGPT, GitHub, Stripe, Vercel, Render, AWS, Neon, Supabase, and Notion throughout my development workflow, including where each tool fits and why I chose it. ## MY SOLO DEVELOPER TECH STACK **AI & Development** Cursor — My primary AI-powered code editor for writing, editing, debugging, and navigating my codebase. [Cursor](https://www.cursor.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Cursor's official documentation and quickstart are also worth checking out if you're new to AI-assisted development. Claude — One of the AI assistants I use for reasoning through problems, debugging, brainstorming, researching, and working through more complicated coding tasks. [Claude](https://claude.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ChatGPT — Useful for brainstorming, explaining technical concepts, debugging, researching, planning projects, and working through development problems. [ChatGPT](https://chatgpt.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) **Code & Version Control** GitHub — Where I keep my repositories, manage code, collaborate, and keep track of projects. [GitHub](https://github.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) If you're learning Git and GitHub, don't just copy commands from AI. Understanding version control will save you a LOT of headaches as your projects get bigger. **Payments** Stripe — The payment infrastructure I’d reach for when I need to accept payments, build subscriptions, or monetize an application. [Stripe](https://stripe.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) **Hosting & Deployment** Vercel — Great for deploying web applications and getting projects online quickly. [Vercel](https://vercel.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Render — Another option for deploying applications, APIs, databases, and backend services without having to manage everything yourself. [Render](https://render.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) AWS — When I need more flexibility, infrastructure, or access to the massive ecosystem of cloud services. [Amazon Web Services](https://aws.amazon.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) **Databases & Backend** Neon — A serverless PostgreSQL platform that can be useful when building modern applications that need a scalable relational database. [Neon](https://neon.tech/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Supabase — A powerful backend platform that gives developers access to PostgreSQL, authentication, storage, APIs, and other backend functionality. [Supabase](https://supabase.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) **Productivity & Organization** Notion — Where I organize ideas, projects, notes, documentation, and other parts of my development workflow. [Notion](https://www.notion.so/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ## LEARN TO CODE If you're watching this video and thinking, “I want to build my own apps, but I don't actually know how to code yet,” I'd recommend learning the fundamentals instead of relying entirely on AI. I use Scrimba as one of my recommended resources for learning how to actually write code. Their interactive courses let you learn by writing and modifying code while following along with lessons. [Scrimba — Learn to Code](https://scrimba.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Scrimba has courses covering HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Python, Git, AI, and more, including interactive projects and coding challenges. **Get started with Scrimba:** [Scrimba Courses](https://scrimba.com/courses?utm_source=chatgpt.com) If you want to become a serious developer, don't just learn how to prompt AI to generate code. Learn enough programming fundamentals to understand what the code is doing, debug it when it breaks, and make good architectural decisions. MY GENERAL SOLO DEVELOPER WORKFLOW For me, the process generally looks something like: **IDE → AI → GitHub → Database/Backend → Deployment → Payments → Users**

Building an app is easier than ever in 2026. The hard part? Building something people actually want to PAY for. In this video, I break down how to build apps that can realistically make money — from finding profitable problems and validating your idea to choosing a business model, getting your first users, pricing your app, and actually turning your code into a business. If you're a solo developer, aspiring entrepreneur, computer science student, or someone who wants to build a SaaS/app as a side hustle, this video is for you. You don't need millions of users or a huge startup team to make your first dollars from software. You need to solve a problem that people care enough about to pay for. I'll also cover different ways developers can monetize their apps, including subscriptions, one-time purchases, freemium models, usage-based pricing, paid tools, and selling directly to businesses. RESOURCES TO HELP YOU BUILD Stripe — Payments, subscriptions, billing, and checkout: [Stripe Documentation](https://docs.stripe.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Stripe Pricing — See the current transaction fees and pricing: [Stripe Pricing](https://stripe.com/pricing?utm_source=chatgpt.com) RevenueCat — Great for implementing subscriptions and in-app purchases: [RevenueCat Documentation](https://www.revenuecat.com/docs?utm_source=chatgpt.com) RevenueCat Codelabs — Hands-on tutorials for implementing subscriptions and paywalls: [RevenueCat Codelabs](https://revenuecat.github.io/index.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Y Combinator Startup School — Free startup resources for learning how to find problems, build products, and grow a startup: [Y Combinator Startup School](https://www.startupschool.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Supabase — Open-source backend with database, authentication, storage, and more: [Supabase](https://supabase.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Vercel — Deploy your web apps quickly: [Vercel](https://vercel.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Product Hunt — Find products people are launching and research what is getting attention: [Product Hunt](https://www.producthunt.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Indie Hackers — Community for people building and growing online businesses: [Indie Hackers](https://www.indiehackers.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Gumroad — Sell digital products, software, memberships, and more: [Gumroad](https://gumroad.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) WHAT I WOULD FOCUS ON Don't start by asking, "What app should I build?" Start by asking: "What problem can I solve that someone would actually pay me to solve?" That shift can completely change how you approach software development. Instead of spending six months building something nobody wants, you can validate an idea, build a smaller MVP, get it in front of real users, and use their feedback to decide what to build next. The goal isn't just to write more code. The goal is to build something valuable enough that people want to pay for it. If you're interested in software engineering, AI, startups, entrepreneurship, solo development, side hustles, and making money with technology, subscribe for more videos like this. #SoftwareEngineering #AppDevelopment #SaaS #Entrepreneurship #SoloDeveloper #SideHustle #Startups #Coding #BuildInPublic #TechEntrepreneur #IndieHacker #AppBusiness #MakeMoneyOnline #Programming #Tech

In this video, I break down some of the biggest tech career paths you can pursue in 2026, including Software Engineering, AI Engineering, Cloud Engineering, Product Management, Technical Product Management, Solutions Architecture, Cybersecurity, and Entrepreneurship. The goal isn't to tell you that one career is objectively better than another. Instead, I want to help you understand what each career actually looks like, what skills you need, how difficult it is to break into, what kind of person each path is best suited for, and where you can start learning today. If you're trying to figure out whether you should become a software engineer, AI engineer, cloud engineer, product manager, technical program manager, solutions architect, cybersecurity professional, or entrepreneur, this video should give you a starting point. Use my Scrimba link and **code COURTZCORNER** for the available discount on Scrimba Pro: [Scrimba — Use Code: COURTZCORNER](https://v2.scrimba.com/?via=courtzcorner&utm_source=chatgpt.com) Scrimba Pro is currently listed at $24.50/month when billed annually, with additional student, regional, and promotional discounts potentially available. ## SOFTWARE ENGINEERING [freeCodeCamp](https://www.freecodecamp.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — Free interactive programming curriculum and certifications. [The Odin Project](https://www.theodinproject.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — Free project-based full-stack development curriculum. [MDN Web Docs](https://developer.mozilla.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — One of the best references for web development fundamentals. [GitHub Skills](https://skills.github.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — Interactive courses for learning GitHub and developer workflows. ## AI ENGINEERING [Hugging Face Learn](https://huggingface.co/learn?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — Courses and tutorials covering machine learning, LLMs, agents, and more. [DeepLearning.AI](https://www.deeplearning.ai/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — Courses covering AI, machine learning, LLMs, agents, and modern AI development. [Google Machine Learning Crash Course](https://developers.google.com/machine-learning/crash-course?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — A great introduction to machine learning concepts. [OpenAI Developers](https://platform.openai.com/docs/overview?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — Documentation and resources for building applications with AI models. CLOUD ENGINEERING [AWS Training and Certification](https://aws.amazon.com/training/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — Official AWS learning resources and certifications. [Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/training/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — Free training for Azure, cloud, development, data, and more. [Google Cloud Skills Boost](https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — Hands-on Google Cloud learning and labs. [Docker Get Started](https://docs.docker.com/get-started/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — Learn the fundamentals of containers and Docker. [Kubernetes Documentation](https://kubernetes.io/docs/home/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — Official Kubernetes documentation and tutorials. The CNCF's 2026 technology radar is also worth checking if you want to understand where cloud-native tooling is heading. ## PRODUCT MANAGEMENT [Product School](https://www.productschool.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — Product management education and career resources. [Mind the Product](https://www.mindtheproduct.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — Articles, podcasts, events, and resources for aspiring and practicing PMs. [Product Management Exercises](https://www.productmanagementexercises.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — Practice product interview questions and frameworks. [Exponent](https://www.tryexponent.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — Product, PM, and tech interview preparation. ## TECHNICAL PROGRAM MANAGEMENT [Google Technical Program Management resources](https://www.google.com/about/careers/applications/roles/technical-program-manager/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ## SOLUTIONS ARCHITECTURE [AWS Solutions Architect Learning Path](https://aws.amazon.com/training/learn-about/architect/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) [Microsoft Azure Architecture Center](https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/architecture/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) [Google Cloud Architecture Center](https://cloud.google.com/architecture?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ## ENTREPRENEURSHIP & STARTUPS [Y Combinator Startup School](https://www.startupschool.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — Free resources for aspiring founders. [Y Combinator](https://www.ycombinator.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — Startup resources, advice, and information about the accelerator. [Indie Hackers](https://www.indiehackers.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — Community focused on building profitable online businesses. [Gumroad](https://gumroad.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — Platform for selling digital products. [Product Hunt](https://www.producthunt.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — Discover and launch new technology products.

I spent time in California talking with people working across Big Tech and startups, and I wanted to find out what skills actually matter if you're a college student, aspiring software engineer, product manager, AI engineer, or someone trying to break into tech. In this video, I break down the conversations I had around software engineering, product management, AI engineering, startups, technical skills, communication, networking, and the resources I think students and new grads should actually be using. Instead of giving you another generic “learn to code and apply to internships” speech, I wanted to share what I heard directly from people working in the industry and how I'd apply that advice if I were starting my tech career from scratch. We talk about how to become a better software engineer, how to prepare for AI engineering, what product managers actually need to know, how startup employees think differently from Big Tech employees, what technical skills are worth learning in 2026, how college students can build experience before graduation, and how to position yourself for internships, new grad jobs, and opportunities in technology. If you're trying to become a software engineer, AI engineer, product manager, startup founder, or simply build a stronger career through technology, this video is meant to give you a practical roadmap for what to focus on next. Resources mentioned throughout the video include GitHub for building and showcasing projects, LinkedIn for networking and finding opportunities, YC Startup School for learning about startups, and the Adobe student community and other student programs for getting access to events, mentorship, and industry opportunities. My goal with this channel is to document how I'm building a career, business, and wealth through technology while sharing the resources, projects, career strategies, and lessons that can help other students do the same. Resources Mentioned / Recommended **Big Tech & Software Engineering** * Levels.fyi — Compare software engineering salaries, companies, and career levels: https://www.levels.fyi/?utm_source=chatgpt.com * roadmap.sh — Free developer roadmaps for different software engineering careers: https://roadmap.sh/?utm_source=chatgpt.com * GitHub — Build your portfolio, contribute to open source, and collaborate on real projects: https://github.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com * GitHub Student Developer Pack — Free developer tools and resources for eligible students: https://education.github.com/pack?utm_source=chatgpt.com * Google Careers — Explore software engineering and other tech opportunities: https://www.google.com/about/careers/applications/?utm_source=chatgpt.com **Solo Development & Startups** * Y Combinator Startup School — Free resources for learning how to build a startup: https://www.startupschool.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com * Indie Hackers — Learn from other founders and solo developers building online businesses: https://www.indiehackers.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com * Product Hunt — Discover products and see what other developers and startups are building: https://www.producthunt.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com * Gumroad — Sell digital products, software, courses, and other digital goods: https://gumroad.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com * Stripe — Payments infrastructure for SaaS products and online businesses: https://stripe.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com * Vercel — Deploy web apps and products quickly: https://vercel.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com **Finding Ideas & Validating Products** * Google Trends — See what people are searching for and identify growing topics: https://trends.google.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com * Reddit — Research communities, problems, and conversations before building: https://www.reddit.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com * Product Hunt — Research what products are launching and what markets are getting attention: https://www.producthunt.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com **My advice:** Don't feel like you have to choose between Big Tech and being a solo developer forever. You can use a software engineering career to build your skills, network, and financial foundation while experimenting with your own products on the side.