Kelvin Omereshone: Crafting Success through JavaScript and Indie Hacking
Kelvin Omereshone shares his journey as a full-stack JavaScript engineer and indie hacker, discussing his role in leading Sails.js and his innovative projects like “Project 50” and Hagfish. He addresses challenges in the JavaScript ecosystem, such as knowledge gaps and the allure of new tools, and emphasizes the importance of stability and practical solutions. Kelvin also highlights the indie hacking mindset, focusing on long-term value creation, effective sales, and the potential for tech entrepreneurs to build successful ventures beyond traditional paths.
DOWNLOAD: FREE RESOURCES FOR TECH TALENT
BACKGROUND
I’m a full-stack JavaScript software engineer and an Indie Hacker. I’ve been professionally involved in web development since 2018 and currently serve as the lead maintainer of Sails.js, an open-source project that helps developers build full-stack JavaScript apps and APIs.
As an indie hacker, I use technology to create businesses and products that resonate with people. So far, I’ve successfully launched three paid products that are being actively used.
I also enjoy sharing my knowledge through various mediums. I have published numerous articles online and regularly create educational content on YouTube to help developers learn. Additionally, I post videos on TikTok and occasionally share insights on Twitter.
CHALLENGES IN JAVASCRIPT ECOSYSTEM
Sails.js is one of those frameworks that lets you quickly build full-stack JavaScript applications, which is why it resonated with me. I transitioned from PHP to JavaScript and loved the idea of using a single language for the entire stack. Sails.js was the key to making that possible.
However, I’ve noticed a common challenge in the JavaScript ecosystem. Many new developers enter through the front-end route, learning technologies like React. But unless they come from a background in languages like PHP, they often lack a comprehensive understanding of how the web works. This gap in knowledge impacts how they build applications.
When creating resources, like documentation, we often find ourselves explaining basic concepts like databases and sessions. While experienced backend developers might take these fundamentals for granted, many JavaScript developers, especially those coming from the front end, haven’t had exposure to these concepts. They tend to delegate backend responsibilities without fully grasping how everything fits together.
Another challenge is what I call the “shiny object syndrome.” JavaScript developers often gravitate toward the latest tools, equating stability with being outdated. Even when a technology doesn’t require constant updates, they prefer experimenting with new, complex tools rather than mastering reliable, stable ones. I believe in the power of “boring” technologies — those that are dependable and allow you to focus on your work without unnecessary distractions.
I’m passionate about educating developers on the importance of stability. While the allure of shiny new tech is understandable, building successful projects requires a solid, stable foundation. That’s why I advocate for using tools like Sails.js to create robust, scalable applications. These are some of the challenges I encounter while promoting this mindset.
EMPOWERING DEVELOPERS AND BUILDING PRODUCTS
Technology, to me, is all about leverage — doing more with less. I love the idea of using minimal but quality input to maximize output. Back in 2017, I realized that many people weren’t fully harnessing the power of JavaScript. Instead, they focused on less impactful aspects. But for me, JavaScript became a tool to quickly deliver valuable solutions to users.
My goal is to empower developers by teaching them how to ship real, impactful products — not just demo projects. Many platforms focus on isolated tasks like “Hello World” or basic arithmetic, but real-world applications are far more complex. You need to handle authentication, authorization, queues, and databases — yet, most tutorials don’t prepare you for that. They get you excited and then leave you to figure out the rest on your own, which can be a painful and costly process.
That’s why I created Sailscasts — to teach developers the full story of how to build and deploy real applications, covering all the critical decisions and nuances that aren’t typically addressed in beginner content. My focus is on empowering the African tech community by showing them that technology is not just a means to get a job but a powerful tool for creating products and generating value, regardless of where you are in the world. Value isn’t tied to geography; it’s about meeting needs and creating something people are willing to pay for.
This mindset is the foundation of my African Indie Hackers initiative, where I travel to different countries, like Ghana, encouraging developers to build independently and leverage technology to create value on their own terms.
My advice has always been to learn technology with a purpose: what do you want to build? Many people feel overwhelmed by the amount of tech to learn, but if you start with a goal, you’ll have a clear direction. Ask yourself, “What do I need to learn to build this?” That focus will guide your learning and help you avoid “tutorial hell.”
To move from being just a talent to becoming a builder, start with a problem or pain point, as Pieter Levels often suggests. Your personal pain points are likely shared by others, so build solutions around them. When building, prioritize leverage — achieving more with less.
As a builder, the key isn’t the technology itself, but the value you create with it. Tech will always evolve, but the impact your product has on solving problems should remain the primary focus. Save the tech details for developer discussions and conferences; the value you deliver to users is what truly matters.
THE INDIE HACKING MINDSET
Expect it to take longer than you think to start making money, and that’s okay. Many people have unrealistic expectations about how quickly they’ll get gigs or see financial returns. Indie hacking is a long-term investment in building value, not a quick cash grab.
While building, focus on giving first before asking for anything in return. Trust is earned by providing value upfront, not by immediately pushing your product. Don’t expect friends to buy your product just because they know you — people pay for solutions to their problems, not out of obligation.
Leaving a 9-to-5 job doesn’t mean you’re free from structure. In fact, you need to work even harder as an indie hacker. Unlike a salaried job, where you’re paid regardless, here, you only earn if you make sales. That’s why it’s crucial to develop sales skills. Writing great code isn’t enough — sales drive business. You need to learn how to sell your product, no matter how introverted you might feel. Even small actions, like tweeting or writing a newsletter, can help you hone your sales skills.
The key to success is finding the balance between a great product and great salesmanship. Focus on sales from day one, and make sure your marketing is just as strong as your product.
CURRENT PROJECTS AND FUTURE GOALS
My latest project is “Project 50,” a course on Sailscasts that allows developers to build 50 high-quality products using the Boring JavaScript Stack. This initiative is designed to help indie hackers and developers ship full-stack JavaScript applications smoothly, overcoming common challenges like managing dependencies, authentication, and databases.
I created Hagfish to solve invoicing issues for creators like myself — it’s an invoice management platform designed to simplify the business side of being a creator. Sailscasts, my first product, is a platform for teaching full-stack JavaScript with an engaged community and free content on YouTube. Guppy, another tool I developed, lets users run and test JavaScript code interactively.
“Teach Kelvin Your Thing” is a YouTube show where tech builders teach me the tech they’ve built. I’ve done over 50 episodes with experts behind popular tools like Angular and HTMX. Additionally, “Building Businesses on JavaScript” is my podcast and newsletter that features interviews with entrepreneurs building successful products using JavaScript.
To make “Project 50” affordable, I’ve partnered with companies like Sentry, Render, and Onboardbase. The goal is to empower developers by offering 50 deployable products for just $299, increasing to $499 once completed. This project is my most ambitious yet, focused on helping others build and succeed in the tech space.
THE BROADER TECH PERSPECTIVE
Many people enter tech with the goal of landing a remote job, often viewing it as the pinnacle of success. However, there’s another side to tech that isn’t talked about enough — creating and selling your own products. I know people making millions from selling fonts, Notion templates, and other digital products. I’ve also experienced the magic of making money from my own creations.
The biggest barrier is mindset. A traditional job often emphasizes taking, but with indie hacking, the focus is on giving. The more value you create, the more you can earn. This shift in thinking — from focusing on what tech can do for you to what you can create with tech — is crucial. You don’t have to build the next Facebook. If you’re earning $10,000 a month from your products, you’re already doing better than most full-time tech employees.
We need to change the mindset from exporting talent to exporting products. There’s no ceiling on what you can earn as an indie hacker, but there can be with a traditional job.
VISION FOR THE NEXT DECADE
In the next five to ten years, my focus is on building and empowering others at a larger scale. Through initiatives like Salesguides.com by sailscasts.com for teaching and Hagfish for managing projects, I aim to help people concentrate on creating and shipping their work. A key goal is to consistently achieve $1.2 million in annual revenue while staying independent and lean, leveraging technology to drive growth.
My mission extends beyond personal success; I want to inspire more stories like the one from an African Indie Hackers Meetup where someone transitioned from a job to indie hacking, sold their first product, and is now working on a second. I envision more African developers creating sustainable businesses, starting small and scaling up, much like the early days of Microsoft and Facebook. The focus should be on building quality products and businesses, not just on securing funding. This movement aims to foster a strong community of resilient builders ready for long-term success.
To stay updated with Kelvin Omereshone’s latest projects and insights, connect with him on LinkedIn, X and Instagram, and check out his latest project “Project 50”. These platforms are great ways to engage with his work, get inspired, and join the conversation about the exciting world of Javascript and Indie Hacking.