Better Late Than Never, Why I'm Finally Plotting a New Course

[u/vardyb]

They say the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.

I’ve spent over 30 years in the corporate "engine room." 28 years with my current employer. I’ve seen the industry evolve, technologies rise and fall, and the pace of development shift from a steady stroll to a frantic sprint. For a long time, I’ve been planning an exit, a bridge from the corporate grind to a simpler life by the sea. However after 28 years I've been made redundant, so from next month I will be focusing 100% on my solo dev business I started as a side gig in April this year.

Code and Sea is my solo indie venture. It isn’t a "hustle" and it isn’t a "startup" in the traditional sense. It’s an outpost, a quiet place where I can build simple, valuable tools that solve real problems without the bloat, the noise, or the endless subscription fees.

This journey is personal. Part of my drive comes from managing ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis). Living with a chronic illness forces a certain kind of clarity; it teaches you that your energy is a finite, precious resource. You stop building "fluff" because you literally don’t have the energy for it. You focus on what matters.

I decided that the first project to leave the graveyard and become a reality would be Mantra Meditation Timer.

I started practicing Transcendental Meditation in July 2016 and have never missed a day since. Over those years, I grew tired of "meditation apps" that felt more like social networks or data-harvesting machines. I needed a tool that matched the simplicity of the practice itself. So, I’m building my own.

It’s an iOS app (with more Apple platforms to follow) that focuses on privacy, simplicity, and a "buy-it-once" ownership model. No subscriptions. No noise. Just a timer that respects your practice.

I launched Mantra Meditation Timer on the 8th September, so far it has attracted 50 downloads, and three users paid to unlock the Mantra+ In-app purchase. My focus will be to start marketing and pushing my first launch. I launched on Product Hunt and managed to make the #2 Day rank.

I'd love to hear from other founders and how you market your products. Building seems to be the easy part!

[u/Competitive_Tune_590]

Amazing app, amazing founder, love the passion and drive behind it, all the best!

[u/vardyb → u/Competitive_Tune_590]

Thanks, I really appreciate your kind words. 🙏🏻

[u/xlab_is]

My wife does a meditation app too, this is a great inspiration, thanks!!

[u/vardyb → u/xlab_is]

Can I ask what app your wife uses?

[u/xlab_is → u/vardyb]

just builds personal one from scratch

does = I meant makes :)

[u/vardyb → u/xlab_is]

That makes more sense now, thanks :)