by Jason Snell
Stephen Hackett joins the 10 year Indie club
Stephen Hackett celebrated the 10th anniversary of quitting his job and going out on his own:
Merri and I had little kids when I went out on my own; our youngest son was born a month after Relay launched…. Today, we’ve got two teenagers and a 5th grader. I’ve been able to attend more school programs, go to more doctor appointments, and be present for more everyday moments than would have been possible had I stayed in a traditional job. Those things add up to something special. To be clear, I have prioritized work over family life way too many times over the last decade, just like other parents, but I like to think that when my kids reflect on their upbringing, memories of Merri and me both being present will be at the forefront of their minds.
If you’re just a fan of Relay, you may not realize that Stephen has made some very serious changes to his “one job” over the years—most independent creators don’t have a single job that brings in enough income, so we end up working five or six different ones instead—most notably becoming the co-host of Mac Power Users and working with David Smith on his stable of apps.
Back in my days at IDG, your tenth anniversary got a dinner with the Chairman and a fancy pen set. Being an indie gets you moments of reflection about your life, some congratulations from friends (Congratulations, Stephen!), and a hearty pat on the back—if you’re flexible enough to reach.