Making a Living from a SaaS: My Journey with DocGPT

Hello, I'm Jan Luca Sandmann, a 24-year-old data engineer from Germany. By day, I work for a large car company, but in my free time, I've been nurturing a side project that's grown into something quite significant. Today, I'd like to share my journey with DocGPT.io, an open-source online document management platform that I built.

The Birth of DocGPT.io

DocGPT.io started as a project 10 months ago. Its core functionality allows users to upload and organize documents. What sets it apart is the Generative AI working in the background. This AI reads the documents, enables users to ask any question about any document, and retrieve information much faster. It also generates content based on these documents.

The Journey, Not the Destination

The current version of DocGPT.io is the result of countless iterations. I've built at least 15 different versions of it, each with radically different designs and features. The goal was to create a product that people want to use, and this journey of exploration and adaptation was key.

Revenue and Growth

Currently, DocGPT.io generates $2,200 per month, with Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) growing by $600 - $1,000 every month. While it's still a side project, I'm hopeful that the continued growth will allow me to pursue DocGPT.io full-time in the future.

Lessons Learned

The most important lesson I've learned from this journey is the importance of adaptability. Be willing to explore a lot of possible features, be radical, delete features that people are not using, ask for feedback and implement it. In the fast-moving AI world, being able to adapt to new circumstances is crucial.

The Future

The future holds exciting prospects for DocGPT.io. A key focus will be to find new ways of marketing to grow the user base further. I'm always open to fresh ideas and innovative strategies. If you have any suggestions or would like to collaborate, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.

Wrapping Up

My journey with DocGPT.io has been a testament to the potential of open source projects. It's shown that with determination, adaptability, and a willingness to learn from feedback, it's possible to create a product that not only provides value to users but can also generate a sustainable income.

If you're embarking on your own open-source journey, I hope my story provides some inspiration. Remember, it's about the journey, not the destination. Embrace the process of learning and refining, and who knows where your project could take you!