Ask HN: Solo owner here, how important is automation?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9066728

by timmm • 11 years ago

10 11 11 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

I have a side project that I would like to see turn into a full time job. Right now it is only me and I have no interest in hiring anyone else, but I am running the entire show which can be a bit overwhelming at times.I sell a physical product but it is deeply facilitated by a strong web presence.

How important is automating the business?

I've set up scripts thus far that will email me when the mysql server is down, my node server is down, the site is unreachable, etc. Emails to customers are automated etc. But I know there is much more I can do.

I am capable of building just about whatever in terms of automation but there is a real upfront cost in terms of my time so my question is really Would it be wise for me to spend time in automating business tasks or should I defer that until more sales come in?

andymoe• 11 years ago

Does your side project really require you to run your own node server and mysql server? Do the cost benefit on running those things yourself vs paying more for something like Heroku etc or other services with higher level abstractions.

I think automation is really important at the business process level but at this stage you should probably give yourself a budget to buy vs build in most all but your really core areas. Lay the foundation but defer where you can.

Things I would do right away is:

- Have a credit card just for the business

- Automate your accounting (push orders to accounting system)

- Automate your inventory management (at least have a system)

- Figure out shipping well and automate that.

I leverage Shopify and Xero for these and it works OK for now.

Feel free to email me if you want to compare notes in detail.

timmm4• 11 years ago

Does your side project really require you to run your own node server and mysql server? Do the cost benefit on running those things yourself vs paying more for something like Heroku etc or other services with higher level abstractions.

You're totally right, I have a bad habit of wanting to build everything from scratch and in house, I am aware of this and I will need to get over this and enlist other services if I want to run this company by myself.

I really should have used a service like shopify, instead I built my whole site from scratch and integrated the site with Paypal's api via node.js. The site looks and performs excellent but it was and will continue to be a lot of work.

Those are good suggestions and I will review those.

CyberFonic2• 11 years ago

I can relate to your approach. Engineers have a tendency to allow the "not invented here syndrome" take hold.

But ... that is not necessarily a bad thing. It is possible that you are more passionate and motivated by the technical aspects. If your product and the niche that it serves doesn't stir the same intensity of passion then maybe you should consider amping up your skills in the infrastructure side and finding lucrative gigs in that area. If you decide to change track in the future, your current business might be a viable sale proposition. The new owner might need you to maintain the infrastructure on contract.

Money is good, but once your basic needs are met it doesn't buy more happiness. In the long term you are more successful if you do what you are good at and enjoy doing.

guiambros• 11 years ago

Automation makes sense when it will: 1) enhance the user experience, 2) save time, or 3) mitigate the risk.

These things are probably in chronological order. First focus on little things that will improve the user experience (like sending automated shipping confirmation) so they like the site even more. Then focus on eliminating manual and time-consuming tasks, and reducing the risk.

Most of the things you mentioned are related to monitoring and reducing the risk. While appropriate, monitoring mysql is pointless unless you have have people going to the site in the first place.

(and if your MySQL is going down frequently, you have other problems)

Don't over-engineer your project. Spend more time on creating the MVP, finding core users, understanding what they want and how to better service them. You'll know when automation is needed (e.g., when you spend several hours non-stop doing this dull manual task, when you could invest a day or two and have it fully automated).

timmm4• 11 years ago

I am over engineering the project for sure to my own detriment, I will have to keep an eye on that.

brandonlipman• 11 years ago

I have a tendency to "over-engineer"/overthink projects. I love process but the three points above are awesome. They now are on a sticky note next to my desk. Good litmus test for automation.

CyberFonic2• 11 years ago

Until you are able to go full-time, your primary focus should be to build revenue to the point that you can take that step. Have you looked at the opportunity cost of building your business automation compared with just buying suitable SaaS solutions and concentrating on building revenue? I get the impression you like the technical side, but that generally becomes an obstacle to growth.

I recommend reading "The e-Myth" - work on your business not in your business.

timmm4• 11 years ago

I've noticed this but have not heard anyone articulate it, I will look into that book. Thanks.

auganov• 11 years ago

If you don't know how important it is to you, then you're probably doing it for your own enjoyment. Or more likely avoidance of more important stuff.

timmm4• 11 years ago

I think you're right, I do seem to be avoiding other tasks that are probably more important at least right now.

j_s• 11 years ago

http://blog.asmartbear.com/virtual-assistant-startup.html

before you launch your product, think about the processes you can avoid automating

you’ll have plenty of time before you need to scale, and you may never need to scale if the idea doesn’t work. Every hour spent writing code is wasted time if that code could be replaced by a human being doing the same task until your product proves itself

Ask HN: Solo owner here, how important is automation?

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