From Freelance Gigs to Building a Successful Software Agency: The Journey of Hamza Khan

Hamza Khan, a software developer turned entrepreneur, shares his journey from working freelance to building his own software agency. With over a decade of experience, he reveals his biggest lessons and insights into the startup world.

Can you share a brief note about yourself?

I’m Hamza Khan, a 31-year-old entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in software development. I began my career in 2015 and established my software agency in 2022. We are a service-based technology company that partners with startups and growing businesses to design, develop, and scale digital products.

Why did you choose to start a business?

When my first child was on the way, I realized I wanted to provide her with a better life than my current salary could support. At the same time, I’ve always wanted to take the chance to build something of my own—so I wouldn’t have any regrets looking back.

How did you start your business?

I began taking small freelance projects on Upwork to see what was out there. I balanced these gigs with my full-time job, working evenings and weekends. To my surprise, things picked up quickly, and before long, I was earning more in a week than I was making in a month at my job.

That was a real wake-up call. I realized I wasn’t fully using my skills and started seriously thinking about going out on my own. I didn’t want to rush, so I set a goal to save at least three months’ worth of living expenses as a safety net. Once I had that and some momentum, I took the leap—and that’s how my journey as a business owner began.

Then the first things I did was to hire the best developer I knew, I knew that he would probably not come because he was in a very comfortable position in the company and would not want to join a company that is just an idea, but to my surprise he accepted my offer and that’s how the company started.

What do you wish you’d known before you started your business?

One important lesson I wish I had learned earlier is not to let emotions drive critical decisions. I tend to be someone who finds it hard to say “no,” and early on, that led me to make some mistakes—like hiring people based on their needs rather than their skills and fit for the role. Learning to separate empathy from business decisions has been a crucial growth point for me.

Did you have any support in your journey?

Absolutely—there are several people who played a key role in helping me get to where I am today. First and foremost, my wife was my biggest supporter. She encouraged me to take the leap and never let me stress about finances, even though we were expecting our first child at the time. My elder brother, sister, and brother-in-law also stood by me with constant support and guidance. I’m truly grateful to have had such a strong circle around me during the early days of my journey.

What is your greatest challenge as a business owner?

In the early days, one of the biggest challenges was convincing experienced and talented professionals to join a small, unproven company. Building a strong team from the ground up is never easy. At the same time, generating consistent business and retaining clients was equally tough. Honestly, in a startup, everything feels like a challenge—hiring the right people, winning new projects, delivering high-quality work, and managing it all with limited resources. But that’s also what makes the journey so rewarding.

What advice would you give to your past self before opening your own business?

Don’t worry. Just keep working hard and it will all be sorted out.

Don’t let your emotions drive critical decisions.

Reflecting on your path to entrepreneurship, what key piece of advice would you offer to aspiring founders ?

Don’t assume it’s going to be easy—if it were, everyone would do it. Building a business takes resilience, sacrifice, and a lot of hard work. The journey can feel lonely at times, and you’ll quickly learn that no one is coming to rescue you—you have to rely on yourself. But the harder the climb, the greater the reward. Stay focused, keep pushing forward, and trust your ability to figure things out along the way.