A software developer stuck in Bay Area traffic turned his curiosity about transit data into an app used by over 40,000 people a day.
Challenge
Every weekday, Steven P. spent hours commuting between San Francisco and Palo Alto. As a seasoned software developer, he knew technology could make life easier—but daily traffic delays had him frustrated. With thousands of others facing the same grind, he began wondering: What if people could actually see reliable transit times before stepping out the door?
It was 2008, and Apple had just announced the very first iPhone. To most people, it was an exciting gadget. To Steven, it was a blank canvas—an opportunity to build something genuinely useful.
Action
While home sick one week, Steven used his downtime to experiment. He pulled public transit data, wrote code, and built a small app that showed upcoming bus and train arrivals in real time. The design was basic, and the code was rough—but it worked. He called it Routesy and submitted it to Apple’s brand-new App Store just before the launch deadline.
To his surprise, it was accepted. On launch day, while standing in line for his own iPhone, Steven spotted a small news blurb about his app in the San Francisco Chronicle. That moment changed everything.
Result
Within weeks, Routesy became a local hit. Bay Area commuters began using it daily, helping Steven earn his first $2,700 in app revenue. Over time, he refined the design, improved stability, and added new features.
Years later, Routesy grew into a tool used by more than 40,000 people every weekday, with nearly half a million total downloads. The app now generates a steady monthly income—enough for Steven to leave his day job and focus on building technology that simplifies everyday life.
Lesson
Steven didn’t wait for the perfect version. He launched something small, learned quickly, and improved over time. His story proves that progress often beats perfection—and that a simple idea, built with genuine purpose, can impact tens of thousands of lives.
The best time to start may have been yesterday. The next best time is today.
Inspired by a true story originally featured on Side Hustle School by Chris Guillebeau. This rewritten version is independently produced and fully original.