Rich Dad Engineer

How do we get rich as software engineers?

Many people are studying hard to become engineers at big tech companies like Google, Meta, and Apple. Others are burning the midnight oil at startups, hoping to exercise their stock option one day with a lifetime payoff.

But the reality lies somewhere between the cruel layoffs and failed startups. High-paying positions are scarce. People are playing politics for the promotion, and the battle is ugly. Are those really the only paths to success as an engineer? People are disillusioned and desperate under their shiny corporate badges.

After working for both a Fortune 500 corporation and a Y Combinator startup as a software engineer, I took a very different path towards financial freedom. My name is Daigo Tanaka. I'm a "Rich Dad Engineer." I'm here to open your eyes to the third way you never imagined.

"Compared to the rest of the engineers in Silicon Valley, I took a very different path towards financial freedom."

I live in the heart of Silicon Valley, but I didn't become rich by working for a big tech company. I didn't win a startup lottery either. Instead, I started a one-person company, called Anelen Co., LLC. Anelen started as a consulting company, and later, I built software systems that generate income even when I'm sleeping or on vacation.

I'm not the wealthiest person in the valley, but I'm richer with the time freedom than any full-time engineer. I start my Mondays with a hike on beautiful trails in the San Francisco Bay Area while others are grinding through back-to-back meetings. My daughter once said that I always have time for her because "robots are working for daddy." That is her to say that my software systems are delivering value to my customers and generating a positive cash flow in exchange. Taking small steps at a time, my wife and I became multi-millionaires while I was still in my 40s. Our assets were growing faster than our cost of living; we have reached financial escape velocity. I'm a Rich Dad Engineer.

"Robots work for daddy." - daughter

I built my business without being the best engineer or having business experience. So I think there are opportunities for many others as well.

Sounds too good to be true? I'm not offended if you are skeptical, because I'm still a rare species. But I want to help more people become Rich Dad Engineers or Rich Mom Engineers. Don't worry if you don't have kids or are not planning to have any. The story I share in this book will still be relevant to anyone who loves freedom—a freedom achieved by the skill you have: engineering.

"There are opportunities for many engineers here."

Everyone will have a different journey becoming a Rich Dad Engineer, and I cannot tell you how exactly your journey will be. Nor can I describe all the steps everyone should take. But I can share the methods to figure out what your business is and how it should be carried out. I can also provide guidance to avoid the mistakes I made and increase your chances of success. I'm sure that every story will be unique and emotional. That is what makes us not just rich, but also human, leading beautiful lives.

So let me start by sharing my story: An emotional rollercoaster at a startup.

Table of Contents

1. How it started - My story before Rich Dad Engineer
2. Tired of working to make others rich
3. Boom, I'm a business owner already
4. Having no business idea could be the best thing
5. How to define your business: Don't invent. Spin off.

...more chapters will be added on this page.

I'm excited to continue sharing all aspects of becoming a Rich Dad Engineer. So, stay tuned by signing up for my "Introspected" newsletter/blog 👇️