Rafomac News, Tech & Trends That MatterA Meta software engineer makes $30,000 a month from his golf SaaS but still holds a full-time AI job. Now, he’s facing a tough decision: stay safe or take the plunge and go all in on his startup. This story unpacks the dilemma—and why the answer isn’t so simple.
Building a $30,000 Monthly SaaS While Juggling Meta
At the Vista Valencia Golf Course in Los Angeles, Matt—a senior software engineer at Meta—has quietly built a thriving software-as-a-service (SaaS) tool generating $30,000 in monthly revenue. His app, Live Turney Golf, streamlines golf tournament management for over 150 golf courses with an annual recurring revenue nearing $350,000 and an $800,000 run rate projected for the year.
Despite this impressive success, Matt kept his full-time AI engineering role at Meta, balancing the pressures of a demanding job and a growing business. Now, the scales are tipping, and he must decide whether to quit Meta and focus full time on his SaaS.
From Idea to Real-World Impact
The spark for Live Turney Golf came during a local tournament when Matt noticed that their golf course wasn’t using any digital scoring tools because existing products were too pricey and complicated. Inspired, he set out to build an accessible, user-friendly web app using Next.js and Google Firebase—coding in early mornings and late nights for four years.
The app lets players scan QR codes on scorecards to input scores and instantly see live leaderboards updating in real time, transforming tournament experiences for players and organizers alike.
The Heart and Head Behind the Decision
Matt enjoys the security and benefits of his Meta job, but the demands of a startup and a young family—two kids included—make keeping both roles unsustainable. Fear and excitement clash as he contemplates leaving a six-year tenure packed with layoffs (none of which affected him yet) for the uncertainty of entrepreneurship.
There’s the lure of pursuing a passion project and demonstrating to his children the power of chasing dreams without waiting for permission. Yet, that path means swapping a steady paycheck for nights spent troubleshooting bugs and weekends lost to feature releases.
Advice for Building a Business While Employed
Matt recommends strict time management to juggle building a startup alongside a tech job—his secret was waking up at 6 a.m. to work several hours before the day began. He stresses the value of starting with something you care about deeply, as passion fuels perseverance when challenges mount.
“If you don’t know the space or the customers, you’ll burn out,” Matt explains. His authentic connection to golf made Live Turney Golf more than work—it was a joy to build. That passion translated into sustainable growth and real customer value.
Taking the Leap: Quitting Meta
After three weeks of reflection and a supportive discussion with his boss—who coincidentally shares a love of golf—Matt made the bold call to leave Meta. His wife’s encouragement and the flexibility to be present for his kids tipped the balance.
Freed from the constraints of a full-time job, he now looks forward to openly sharing his journey and dedicating every day to expanding his company.
This turn in Matt’s story captures the essence of entrepreneurship: the tension between security and freedom, the push of fear against the pull of passion. For anyone wondering when it’s time to leave a stable job for a startup dream, Matt’s story is both a roadmap and a reminder that faith in your idea—and yourself—is the hardest but most crucial part.
