Ask HN: What to do instead if you are not ready to startup your company now?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4903467

by johnWi • 14 years ago

1 4 14 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

Currently I'm not ready to startup my company because I have no (proven) idea and no network/team. What you think is currently best to do until I have a proven idea and reliable network?

Apply for Master/PhD? Join another startup company? Join a big company?

manglav2• 14 years ago

I don't mean to be snarky, but you gave the answer in your question. "I have no proven idea and no team".

You did not mention a lack of skills or capital. If you have no team at this point, that means you will need a proven idea to convert your 'network' into believing team members. Eventually, you will need people skills to win your team/network (see "How to Win Friends and Influence People", required reading). This is barring making one of those best friends during some shared experience. You can do this side-by-side (note: it's not hard, just requires dedication. Which is hard for some people, I know). Which leaves...

How do I get a proven idea? (Read Paul Graham essays + Lean Startup)

I don't think any of the solutions you provided directly address that issue. Sure, do what you need to in order to survive/thrive. But I don't think those solutions are the most efficient ways to get a proven idea.

Also, there are different levels of ideas. One idea might require $100 million in capital and a large team, but it revolving around a new technology. Another might be a simple web app to make 10 people's live's easier/better that you can do in 4 hours/week. Start with the simple one if you don't think you're ready yet.

johnWi• 14 years ago

Thanks. What you think is the best way to find a good idea? It seems to me that behind every good startup there is a personal story from a real life and I think I have to expose myself to the real world as much as such a story happens in my life. Or maybe I'm wrong.

manglav2• 14 years ago

The real world? You are in the real world. There are always ways to make things better around you, no matter what situation you are in. If this is hard to think of, then start by writing 5 things that could be better/easier every day. Then increase that by 5 every day until 50. Then you will see there are opportunities everywhere. Also, I mentioned that you should read Paul Graham's essays and The Lean Startup.

kellros• 14 years ago

If you can afford to, get as close to the action as possible (I take it in this case it would be to join a startup).

In my personal opinion, startups aren't really a viable business strategy. The general idea of a startup is to attract investors to your idea with no reasonable timeframe regarding profitability, instead focusing on fast tracking the creation of a product/s. I really prefer the small business approach of prototyping and reworking to reach profitability and with every action taken to keep in mind the most important question: how will this directly make me money?

Ask HN: What to do instead if you are not ready to startup your company now?

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