It is not easy to just build any product and have it take off (i.e. big enough to give you recognition). It isn't build it and they'll come. These are many things: Pick the right product to build at the right moment (even you have the great idea, it may not take off because behind its time or ahead of its time). Even it is a free product, you need to find product market fit to have it "take off". Marketing, recruiting a team (as your product gets beyond one person), sales, promotion, legal, all takes time, resource, money, and skill beyond just software engineering. And often, it requires a heavy dose of luck also. :)