I’ve been doing this as a contractor. I started in my home country, where $50/h is a lot—established relationships over time with people who value solid developers and hate handholding as much as I do. Over time progressed and tripled my rate and now do maintenance work primarily and combine personal business projects. I sacrificed corp. Life and lots of money but gained a lot of flexibility and traveled a lot. As a non-US work authorized person, it wasn’t much of an option anyway.
I’d say this: if you’re outside of the US, the best companies for this approach are in the Nordics. If you are US-based, the number of companies who fit this profile are non-tech founders who look for an all-in-one developer who can move the needle and establish everything until there are more funds or traction. Stakeholders have to value the quality of life more than anything esle.
I’d say this: if you’re outside of the US, the best companies for this approach are in the Nordics. If you are US-based, the number of companies who fit this profile are non-tech founders who look for an all-in-one developer who can move the needle and establish everything until there are more funds or traction. Stakeholders have to value the quality of life more than anything esle.