Over the last couple of years, I’ve been collecting a list of potential projects to develop and monetize. The desire to create something has always been in me, I suppose, but career ambitions and a hunger for financial success pushed that drive deep down.

However, there was one project I never intended to build for money. It feels more like a social initiative. I started it on the side without high expectations, and initially, it didn’t go well. Some people I invited never joined, and those who did quickly lost interest.

My main takeaway is that, at this early scale, the project is highly dependent on my energy. If I don’t drive the conversation, nothing happens - despite the nature of the format, where users are supposed to be the main content creators.

As a result, I started to lose hope and went through some low points. But today, something interesting happened. I invited a new member, and the community suddenly sprang to life. People started discussing topics they normally wouldn’t, bringing us all a little closer.

I felt a real connection - which was exactly why I started this project in the first place. This is my fuel to continue working on it and finding new ways to improve. I finally feel that it matters, and not just to me.