I’m letting the secret out: Most technical startup entrepreneurs don’t code very well. I’m no exception. I haven’t actively coded since highschool. I know. I’m a phony. Running a tech company and telling clients what they should do. My calendar is clogged with strategy meetings, investor calls, and reminding people to mute themselves on Zoom. But here’s the thing, if I can’t explain the difference between Docker and a Tupperware container, I’m in trouble.
I don’t have to be a full-stack wizard, but I do need to keep enough of a grip on the stack so my developers don’t roll their eyes every time I ask a question. Technology changes too fast, and as a founder, I can’t afford to become “that person” who thinks Java and JavaScript are basically the same thing. You know who you are!
THE NOT SO SECRET PROJECT:
So, to prove to myself (and maybe to my team) that I still know which end of the keyboard is up, I built a ridiculous little app: the 404 Apology Service.
The idea: whenever this site breaks (and it will), instead of a typical “Not Found”, y’all will get a funny apology. It’s useless, unnecessary, and honestly perfect.
I can’t take full credit. I roped in two of my technical leads to help me not embarrass myself completely by double checking my code. But hey, collaboration is a skill too, right?
The Apologies (because users deserve comedy when they’re annoyed):
The Code:
Paired with Docker and CI, Because Why Not?
Did I stop there? Of course not. I wrapped it in Docker and slapped on Travis CI cuz that’s what the cool kids are doing these days. Nothing screams “serious entrepreneur” like a containerized app that delivers jokes when your site crashes.