As in which aspects, let's say in your case?
HN user
ssylee
Email: stanley at sysil dot com
Find a way to regain your income on the side while finding a way to fill the void.
I think this may help: http://paidtoexist.com/limiting-beliefs/
Are you on the same page when it comes to finding ways to bring in revenue?
Don't act as if you're a manager. You're more like a product development organizer and status updater.
And why are you curious, if you don't mind my curiosity?
I have trouble finding a CRUD job to work in. At least the expectations from employers are not that high.
Others have made excellent comments here. I want to add this:
- Mention that unless it's for a certain price range, you're no longer in the market. However, you will keep them in touch when you're changing the policy again.
- If the pricing/arrangement doesn't work for both parties, say you're happy to refer them to someone else who could use those projects.
Also, stay in touch with them regularly, but you don't need to go overboard on this, as you want to focus on your company.
Have you tried testing your idea without coding or hiring people? Most ideas in start-up founders' heads usually aren't any good in terms of making money. It's not until the pivots when they found profitable models.
You've mentioned you've talked to over 20 people and they said they would buy your product. However, getting them to pull out their wallets when you actually have the product could be a different endeavor. Not sure if the problems you're solving are painful enough.
Stop thinking of your ideas. Just pick a niche industry, and see what problems THEY are having. Only start building the solution when you see a convergence of the same problems.
Re: rdl's comment, I'm not sure. I'm not experienced with YCombinator process or startups, but can't the founders explain their application was sent as of the submission date (weeks or days before), and then explain during the interview about the important changes? I mean, Parkinson's Law is in play with entrepreneurship big time.
What kind of application is it? Promoting it in front of niche communities and giving them benefits to share your app would go a long way in terms of building your own community.
Find some potential VCs. Research the hell outta them to find their interests and what makes them tick. Then, when the opportunity comes to provide them value, be proactive about it. Give it time to build relationship until you can meet in person and go from there.
Alternatively, you can fly out to different conferences in order to meet them in person to kickstart the relationship.
Which direction do you want to take this discussion?
No problem.
Have you referred to the case studies in the 4 Hour Workweek or $100 Startup? Email me at stanley at sysil dot com if you still like to chat.
You mentioned the need to develop concrete examples showing how rewriting copy is worthwhile. However, even if you're starting out for free, you won't have examples to show for it. How appropriate do you think it is to show other people's examples before doing for free to gather your own examples?
You forgot talent.me
If you're interested in making more money with iOS apps, hit me up at stanley at sysil dot com, and I'd love to chat with you privately.
What about if they say they are only fluent in certain languages at the moment while having a basic knowledge in the languages that you use? Do you look more for ability to solve computer science and discrete math problems?
Interesting take on how many businesses and startups are being run by the founders these days. Doug, I have one question for you: how do you feel the sales and marketing (or the neglect of them) affect how the founders are able to treat their staff?
Your wife totally sounds like the story of Michael Ellsberg (www.ellsberg.com), while yours is similar to Joe Mihalic (www.nomoreharvarddebt.com).
What's your income situation right now? You can try to negotiate the interest rates down to minimize your monthly payments. Once you are able to handle the payments and workload with ease, I strongly suggest to start with freelancing on the side. Most successful entrepreneurs I know start off with consulting and freelancing before productizing their services or physical products.
Perhaps the YC crew doesn't want it to be a distraction for its startups? Are you thinking of a TV show like the Dragon's Den in Canada?
There's no email address in your profile.
I think you may want to check out how Maneesh Sethi wrote his programming books when he was a teenager. www.hackthesystem.com
I wouldn't say he's dissing Steve Jobs. I think he's speaking the truth b/c people do get remembered for their societal contributions. Charity just happens to multiply your memorable societal contributions the most.
I'd love to use full words, but feared to run out of character space in the title. Otherwise, I would've used full words.
Yes it does now. Thanks for your insight.
I can't consult you on this, but I do recommend you to speak with a lawyer. Ask around the developers you trust for recommendations.