This morning there was a post about side projects [1] that resonated with me because it finally hit me that what started out as a side-project, isn't just a side-project any more.

A little over 4 years ago my business partner and I started a small side project (~20 hours for the first version of the app) that we hoped would make us a bit of money that we could spend on our hobby of racing karts (not exactly a cheap sport).

Since just after the launch of the app, it's been a full-on sprint to build and grow the business, which is now several apps and a couple of different services.

We've taken the idea seriously from the beginning (although perhaps a bit hesitant about the potential market at first) and there hasn't really been any sort of definitive transition from being 'just a side project' to 'now we have to take this seriously.'

Although I've been self employed for the past two and a half years, and my business partner for the past year and a half, it wasn't until today that it really hit me that it's not just a side-project anymore.

What's your story? When did it finally hit you that what you're building isn't just a side-project any more?

[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8844083