The Story of Skill-Wanderer

🌅 The Beginning

My story didn't start in tech—it began in international trade at Toyota Tsusho Vietnam, where I learned the most fundamental skill of all: how to learn rapidly and adapt. When I made the leap from Import-Export Manager to developer, many thought I was crazy. But that unconventional journey taught me something profound about learning and growth.

Through four startups, leading 20+ developers, juggling multiple projects simultaneously, and yes, failing spectacularly at times, I discovered that the gap between what we learn and what we need to know keeps growing wider. Every role I've wandered through—from Frontend to DevOps, from Business Analyst to Solution Architect—added another piece to the puzzle.

When I built the entire Skill-Wanderer platform on a self-hosted Kubernetes cluster using just an old laptop and Orange Pi, I realized this resourcefulness, this ability to create from constraints, these lessons from the wandering path—they were too valuable to keep to myself.

💡 The Realization

Having transitioned from business to tech myself, I understood firsthand how daunting the journey can be. Traditional education often fails to capture the messy, non-linear reality of learning technology. We're taught to fear failure, when in reality, failure is where the deepest learning happens. What learners truly need is honest, unbiased guidance from someone who remembers the struggle—someone who can share both the victories and the setbacks without any agenda other than genuine help.

My experience leading teams, building from scratch, and yes—sometimes watching projects fail—taught me that every setback is a setup for a comeback. The intense pressure of managing four projects simultaneously, the sleepless nights debugging code, the joy of finally making something work—these are the real teachers.

I realized that Skill-Wanderer itself could be my ultimate learning laboratory. By building this platform, I create the perfect excuse to explore new technologies, experiment with different architectures, and push my own boundaries. Every feature I envision becomes a learning opportunity—from implementing microservices to trying the latest frameworks. The platform grows as I grow, and my growth directly benefits every learner who joins us.

I envisioned a platform that would be different—one that celebrates the wandering journey of learning, embraces failures as stepping stones, and operates with complete transparency and integrity. No ads, no affiliate commissions, no hidden agenda. Just pure, passionate education from someone who's been in the trenches and continues to dig new ones.

🚀 The Vision

Skill-Wanderer is built on a profound truth I discovered: teaching is the best way to learn. Every time I prepare a lesson, curate resources, or explain a concept, my own understanding deepens. This platform isn't just about sharing knowledge—it's about creating a virtuous cycle where teaching accelerates mastery for everyone involved.

I deeply believe in karma—that what we give to the world comes back to us manifold. By democratizing quality tech education, by operating with complete integrity, by celebrating failures as learning opportunities, we're not just building a platform. We're nurturing an ecosystem of mutual growth where today's learners become tomorrow's teachers, where knowledge flows freely, and where every act of sharing creates ripples of positive impact.

The beauty of Skill-Wanderer is that it's a living, breathing example of continuous learning. As I build new features, experiment with emerging technologies, or tackle complex architectural challenges for the platform itself, every technical decision becomes a teachable moment. When I chose Astro over WordPress, when I implemented microservices, when I set up that self-hosted K8s cluster—these weren't just technical choices, they were learning adventures that will become courses, tutorials, and shared wisdom.

This symbiotic relationship—where building the platform drives my learning, and my learning enriches the platform's content—creates an authentic, ever-evolving educational experience. Students don't just learn from static content; they learn from someone actively exploring, failing, succeeding, and sharing the entire journey in real-time. The platform grows as I grow, and we all grow together.