Building a sustainable business around free and open source software requires treating the business side as seriously as the software itself. The key mistake many FOSS developers make is building the software first and worrying about monetization later — because FOSS surrenders exclusive monetization rights, anyone can step in and build a business on top of your work if you don't. Successful FOSS businesses can take many forms: support contracts, consulting, books, courses, or software-as-a-service. The critical point is to make deliberate choices early: incorporate, hire an accountant, identify customers, and define what you'll sell before or alongside building the software.
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