Ben Bozzay: How He Turned a Side Project Into a $15K/Month Business
Who Is Ben Bozzay?
Ben Bozzay is a software developer and the founder of Tech Lockdown, a platform that helps adults block websites and apps to take back control of their digital habits. What started as a personal solution to his own internet overuse eventually grew into a SaaS company with thousands of users and over $15,000 in monthly recurring revenue (MRR).
Net Worth
While Ben’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, Tech Lockdown generates $15K+ in MRR with a lean operation and high profit margins. This places his personal net worth comfortably in the mid six figures range, with potential to scale further as digital wellness becomes a global necessity.
From Where?
Ben grew up with a love for building things and solving problems through technology. Like many, he followed the traditional path: college, then a 9–5 software developer job. But deep down, he always wanted to create his own business.
From his college days through his career, Ben couldn’t shut off the entrepreneurial itch. He started multiple side projects:
- A lead generation platform for freelancers (failed due to lack of customer focus).
- A landing page builder (burnt out before launching).
- A web agency with partners (ran for 2.5 years but proved too difficult to scale).
These failures taught him one thing: great ideas die if they never reach customers.
The Birth of Tech Lockdown
In 2020, as work-from-home became the norm, Ben noticed how excessive internet use was affecting him. He wanted guardrails for his own digital habits, but existing tools fell short. So, he built a personal system to block distracting apps and websites.
He casually shared his approach on YouTube and Reddit, and to his surprise, people flooded him with emails, asking for consultations and tools. This was the spark.
Instead of rushing into monetization, Ben spent a year building an audience and publishing free content. Only later did he turn Tech Lockdown into a subscription SaaS product.
Struggles & Turning Point
In 2023, Ben’s life hit a crossroads. He was laid off from his full-time job while Tech Lockdown was earning just $3,000/month—not nearly enough to cover his expenses.
He faced a tough decision:
- Accept another safe 9–5 job.
- Or double down on his side project and risk it all.
Ben chose the second option. It was risky, but within months, Tech Lockdown grew 5x. His gamble paid off.
Why Tech Lockdown Worked
Unlike his past projects, this one succeeded because:
- He built it to solve his own problem (authenticity).
- He didn’t obsess over logos or colors—he focused only on solving user needs.
- He built an audience first with content marketing.
- He kept things simple, launching with a minimum viable version rather than chasing perfection.
Growth & Marketing
Ben’s core growth engine has been content marketing. He writes deeply researched guides like “How to Turn Your iPhone Into a Dumb Phone,” which attracted hundreds of thousands of readers. He also shared authentic posts on Reddit and YouTube, avoiding overly promotional tactics.
Today, Tech Lockdown has:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- 1,300 paying customers
- 2 million+ site visitors in just two years
Lessons From Ben’s Journey
Ben learned that:
- Side projects aren’t about escape—don’t start just because you hate your job.
- Solve your own problem first, and you’ll naturally attract others with the same pain.
- Don’t overcomplicate it—ship fast, validate, and iterate.
- Audience before product—having people who care makes building motivating and sustainable.
Ben Bozzay’s Advice to Side Project Founders
“Make sure you know how to get customers before quitting your job. If you can solve the customer acquisition problem, then scaling becomes possible.”
For anyone stuck in a 9–5, Ben’s story is proof that you don’t need to quit everything and burn bridges. Instead, start small, stay consistent, and when the opportunity comes, take the leap.
Summary: From failed side projects to a successful SaaS, Ben Bozzay’s journey with Tech Lockdown shows that building a business isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about solving real problems with discipline, focus, and authenticity.
