Why I Self Host Everything – Lessons from a $20M Business

Self-hosting saved my business thousands. It can do the same for you.

Subscription fees are a silent killer. They sneak up on you, draining your bank account. I learned this the hard way while running my $20M business. But there’s a solution: self-hosting. It’s not just about saving money. It’s about owning your data and taking control.

Let me show you how self-hosting can transform your business and personal life.

Paying HKD$100K plus a month for subscription fees!

The Hidden Cost of Subscriptions

You’re bleeding money without realizing it. I was too.

One day, I looked at our business expenses. The numbers shocked me. $5 for Gmail, $10 for Slack, and countless other small fees. They added up fast. It wasn’t just business either. My personal subscriptions were a money pit too.

Here’s why this matters:
• Small fees create big expenses over time
• You’re often paying for features you don’t use
• Subscription costs tend to increase yearly

The worst part? Most businesses don’t even notice this drain.

I once met a startup founder who was proud of his “lean” operation. But when we looked at his expenses, he was spending $2000 monthly on SaaS tools. Half of them he barely used. It was a wake-up call for both of us.

These hidden costs can make or break a business. They certainly impact your bottom line.

So, what’s the solution? That’s where self-hosting comes in.

The Self-Hosting Solution

This little NAS has saved me so much money

Self-hosting is your secret weapon against runaway costs.

I asked myself, “Can I host everything on my own Synology NAS?” The answer was a resounding yes. Now, I’m self-hosting n8n, Bitwarden, Ghostfolio, ActualBudget, Matomo, Umami, and Homebox. The savings are massive.

Here’s what makes self-hosting great:
• You control your data and services
• No monthly fees for most software
• Customization options are endless

Self-hosting has come a long way. Ten years ago, open-source options were lacking. Now, they’re often better than paid alternatives.

Take Bitwarden, for example. It’s a password manager that rivals LastPass. But unlike LastPass, you can host it yourself. No subscription fees, and your passwords stay under your control.

The best part? This isn’t just for tech geeks. User-friendly options are growing every day.

Self-hosting isn’t just a personal choice. It’s a business strategy. I’ve implemented it across all my companies. The result? We’ve cut our cloud service fees by at least 30%.

Imagine what you could do with that extra cash. Hire new talent? Invest in marketing? The possibilities are endless.

Next, let’s look at benefits beyond just saving money.

Benefits Beyond Cost Savings

Self-hosting isn’t just about pinching pennies. It’s about taking control.

Remember the LastPass hack? Millions of passwords were compromised. Including mine. It was a nightmare. But if I had self-hosted my password manager, this wouldn’t have happened.

Self-hosting gives you:
• Complete data ownership
• Enhanced privacy and security
• Flexibility to customize your tools

When you self-host, you’re not at the mercy of big tech companies. You decide how your data is stored and used. No more worrying about privacy policy changes or data breaches.

I once consulted for a healthcare startup. They were using a cloud-based patient management system. One day, the provider changed their terms of service. Suddenly, they claimed ownership of all patient data. It was a legal mess. If they had self-hosted, this would never have happened.

Self-hosting puts you in the driver’s seat. You’re not just a user anymore. You’re in control.

This control extends to customization too. Don’t like how a tool works? Change it. Add features, remove others. Make it perfect for your needs.

Now, let’s talk about how to actually implement self-hosting in your business.

Implementing Self-Hosting in Business

Starting your self-hosting journey isn’t as hard as you might think.

First, assess your current subscriptions. What are you using? What can you replace? Start small. Maybe begin with a password manager or a project management tool.

Here are some steps to get started:
• Choose a self-hosted alternative to a current subscription
• Set up a server (or use a service like DigitalOcean)
• Install and configure your chosen software

Don’t worry if it seems daunting at first. There’s a learning curve, but it’s worth it.

I remember when we first started self-hosting at my company. Our IT guy was skeptical. “It’s too complicated,” he said. But within a month, he was our biggest self-hosting advocate. The control and customization won him over.

Resources are plentiful. Websites like GitHub and Reddit have thriving self-hosting communities. They’re full of guides, tips, and support.

Start small, learn as you go, and scale up. Before you know it, you’ll be running your own mini data center.

And the benefits? They’re game-changing.

Conclusion

Self-hosting is more than a cost-cutting measure. It’s a philosophy.

We’ve covered a lot. From the hidden costs of subscriptions to the benefits of self-hosting. We’ve seen how it can save money, protect data, and give you control.

Self-hosting isn’t just about technology. It’s about independence and ownership. In a world where data is the new oil, self-hosting puts you in control of your most valuable asset.

Remember, every journey starts with a single step. Your self-hosting adventure begins now.

Take the First Step

Ready to start? Here’s what you can do right now:

1. List all your current subscriptions, both business and personal.
2. Research self-hosted alternatives for one of them.
3. Set up a test server and try installing the software.

Don’t wait. The sooner you start, the more you’ll save. And the more control you’ll have over your digital life.

Take charge of your data. Start self-hosting today.