I work as a software engineer and make an Ok salary (market salary). However, it seems like I'm stuck at my level. I have no managerial experience, hence I can't get any leadership roles (either people or software), and I'm not a good enough software engineer to do complex stuff (think: very high load, distributed, etc) - so I can't pass interviews to all the FAANG move-fast-high-load-distributed-world-changing-do-our-7-round-dfs-bfs-interview style companies.

My only option is to jump between jobs and swim in somewhat the same salary range, until AI will replace me, which is far from ideal. I have a SaaS that generates pennies, and I have no idea how to scale it further. I don't have the skills or time to raise money and start my own company. I tried to bootstrap some projects, but most of them are hit and miss (more on the miss side).

I would love to switch to being self-employed either via consultancy or having my own business, but I can't seem to figure out how to make the switch.

Anyone got any suggestions how I can take my career to the next step which will provide me with (1) more autonomy over my time and my work and (2) more money?