Ex-mathematics teacher, currently developing a tracking system for parcels for small businesses

Hi, I taught high school mathematics for eleven years before changing careers last spring. I often get asked whether teaching prepared me to build software. Well, in some way, yes. You learn quickly when explaining fractions to thirty teenagers whether your explanation makes sense.

I am working on Parcelwise, which is a tool for small online businesses that consolidates shipping information from multiple carriers on a single page that customers can review. The idea came up from my sister who sells handmade candles and spends an hour every day answering "where is my order" questions.

I am learning how to program using an AI coding assistant, and I'm not as fast as other people I've seen on this forum. I sometimes take three hours to solve one problem. But I have decided that's okay because I understand every line that I ship.

I joined this forum in order to meet people who can guide me a few steps ahead and answer a beginner's queries. I also wish to contribute my bit, and if you need any testing done by someone who will explain things clearly, I will be glad to help you out.

If you were asked for advice for a person making a career switch into technology at age thirty-eight, what would you say? Also, is there any mistake a beginner might make that you would like to prevent me from making?