Why I’m Done Asking Permission to Build My Future

From software engineer waiting for the “right opportunity” to solo founder betting on myself

I used to think the path was simple: Get hired at a good company. Work hard. Get promoted. Build a career.

Then reality hit.

Massive layoffs became weekly news. “Restructuring” became corporate speak for “we don’t need you anymore.” Job security—the thing my parents’ generation took for granted—became a myth.

As a father of two, watching my industry implode while depending on someone else’s decision about my livelihood felt terrifying.

That’s when I realized: I was asking permission to build my own future.

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One morning, scrolling through yet another round of layoff announcements, a question hit me like cold water:

Why should I have a manager above me with a predetermined flowchart, ready to place me on a performance improvement plan when things get messy for them?

I’d spent years optimizing my resume for other people’s companies. Years learning frameworks that would make me valuable to employers. Years building skills that served someone else’s vision.

What if I used those same skills to serve my own vision?

Most of us are unemployable by choice, not circumstance.

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How AI Flipped the Entire Game

Here’s what changed the rules forever: AI democratized software development.

Before AI:

• Complex architecture knowledge = job security

• Years of experience = competitive advantage

• Technical depth = barrier to entry

After AI:

• Anyone can build applications

• Technical debates matter less than execution speed

• People without deep coding knowledge are shipping products and making money

I watched this transformation firsthand. Debates about software testing, architecture, and technical details that used to dominate engineering discussions suddenly felt… less important.

If a non-technical person can now build and ship profitable products, what’s stopping me from doing the same?

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The “Unemployable but Profitable” Breakthrough

I call my new approach “Unemployable but Profitable.”

The concept is simple: Replace every department necessary to support a business with AI, especially in software development. You become the founder, CEO, and CTO of your AI workforce.

What This Looks Like in Practice: