How We Built Boise Tech Connect as a Side Gig
Like many great ideas, Boise Tech Connect began as a side project. With a full‑time day job, limited time and a shoestring budget, we set out to build a platform that would serve Boise’s tech community. Here’s how we did it and what we learned along the way.
Starting Small
In the first six months we treated Boise Tech Connect as a validation experiment. We committed to writing two blog posts and releasing one podcast episode per month while participating in existing meet‑ups. Costs were kept under $1,000 by using free software and leaning on the generosity of community venues.
Scaling Responsibly
After gaining traction, we reinvested revenue from modest ad sales into better recording equipment and occasional marketing boosts. From month seven onward we increased our cadence to four blog posts and two podcast episodes a month and began hosting quarterly meetups of our own.
Lessons Learned
Building a community business while working full‑time requires discipline and support. Set realistic schedules, automate what you can and lean on volunteers. Most importantly, focus on delivering value to your audience before chasing monetization. It’s their trust that unlocks future growth opportunities.
Conclusion
Boise Tech Connect’s story is still being written. What started as a passion project is evolving into a sustainable venture—and we hope our journey inspires others to turn their ideas into reality. Stay tuned as we continue to grow, connect and celebrate Boise’s innovators.