How a Self-Taught Developer Built a SaaS Business | Adrian Marin, Founder & CEO of Avo

In this episode, Adrian Marin discusses about his journey from finance to software development and the challenges of building and selling a SaaS product. Adrian shares insights on self-learning, the transition from side project to business, and the role of customer feedback in product development. He shares the unique difficulties of selling to developers, the challenges and advantages of offering downloadable software as SaaS, and the impact of taking investment from TinySeed. The conversation also covers marketing and sales strategies, balancing intuition with data in decision-making, and the shift in mindset required for sustainable growth.

About Adrian Marin:

Adrian Marin is the founder of Avo, a low-code tool for building internal applications quickly. A self-taught developer with over 14 years of experience, Adrian started his career in finance and accounting before transitioning into software development. His journey began with automating tasks in non-technical roles, eventually leading him to build Avo. Adrian is passionate about making development more accessible, helping teams streamline internal tools, and navigating the challenges of bootstrapping and scaling a SaaS business.

Here is what we cover:

• Adrian’s Journey – Self-taught developer who moved from finance to tech.
• Building a SaaS – Developers often underestimate marketing and sales.
• Selling to Developers – Overcoming the “build vs. buy” challenge.
• Downloadable Software as SaaS – Balancing ownership benefits with subscription pricing.
• TinySeed Investment – Gaining mentorship and shifting to a business mindset.
• Marketing & Sales – Prioritizing hot leads and balancing self-serve vs. enterprise sales.
• Decision-Making – Using both data and intuition for growth.

This episode is a must-listen for developers transitioning into SaaS, covering product-market fit, marketing, and the mindset shift needed for long-term success.