Ask YC: What if your partners want you to let it go after 7 years?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=226122

by wasanbes • 18 years ago

2 14 18 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

I have been working on a website/service concept for over 7 years now. The work was unhurried until competition started emerging. I had to ask two friends to work on the project. But now, after we're almost half the way, they want to change the concept and switch to another startup. I admit that my project is very demanding and time consuming and that legally they own two third of it all,I am not sure I can let it go. What do you think I should do?

ideas1012• 18 years ago

there are many issues that you're facing now... but it may be simplified if dealt smartly and with all integrity ... first of all you took too long to implement/execute your idea - so now you're in trouble (internal and external).

anyway lets resolve the internal issue first. You need to find out what your partners really want, chances are they want/need something else than what it looks like from outside, find out what will motivate them to stay with your project?, also it is not clear whether they prefer to quit or they prefer to change the concept, may be they want to quit because you're not flexible enough to listen to them and change the concept - you need to really listen to them and think rationally (not emotionally) whether changing the concept will benefit all, try to create a win-win situation for all. last option is to let them go (because if they are not motivated enough then it won't produce the desired result) without burning the relationship, find the replacement at the earliest. If they are united and want to close the company then find out the legal way to hold on to the intellectual property at the minimum cost to you....

if they are your true friends then they should not give you hard-time in exploring either options. If you really love your project then you have to be very firm though in a polite way so that they can figure it out that you're really serious to pursue your ambition and nothing can change your route (with or without their help) - may be they will change their mind after seeing your determination.

popat• 18 years ago

long story short, you need 4 things :

1. Determination: as pg always says that most successful people are those who're determined to bring their dream come true.

2. Code: somehow you have to manage to get the source code in your control. ,

3. Backup plan: make plan-b ready for damage control anticipated by your partners leaving project.

4. Speed: buddy, you need speed to roll-out to deal with competition.

wasanbes3• 18 years ago

1- Determination is what kept me moving all a long. I could've easily forgot about it, years ago. 2- This is what'll be trying to do. 3- They don't want to leave? What if they want to force a change? 4- I have my day job that I need to pay for my project.

babul5• 18 years ago

7 years is a long time, especially in the world of the internet.

If it has not been successful by now, you really need to look at doing other things.

olefoo2• 18 years ago

7 years isn't necessarily too long to bring an idea to fruition. It's out towards the edge of the distribution for an internet startup, but it's perfectly reasonable for something complex.

wasanbes3• 18 years ago

You got it right. My idea isn't a simple twitter-like service. It was also important to make changes that make my service fit with the web 2.0 hype.

babul5• 18 years ago

Maybe in the corporate world, but if you are small startup then surely not.

The world changes so rapidly and most of what small startups offer are solutions to a current need. If you are doing it as a hobby or for fun/learning/charity then that is different, but as a business (the purpose of a business is to make money, and startups are businesses ultimately) it is unfeasible. As a basic proof, try pitching to investors/VCs. Even friends/family would be reluctant to invest as a business.

wasanbes3• 18 years ago

What if the concept too good to abandon and I'm seeing something my partners don't?

babul5• 18 years ago

You really need to look at why they are changing the concept and wanting to switch to another startup.

If you are reluctant due to the time/effort already invested ("letting go" is a common problem), then perhaps what the others are suggesting is actually in your best interest(s) and doing you a favour.

noodle• 18 years ago

i mean, unless they're going to be jerks about it, why can't you just keep a hold, or a copy, of the codestream to continue to work on your idea if they're jumping ship to change ideas and startups.

Ask YC: What if your partners want you to let it go after 7 years?

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