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Ask YC: do you have a girlfriend/boyfriend?

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Re: Ask YC: do you have a girlfriend/boyfriend?

#24
post #23

Married to my cofounder

I realize every relationship/business is different, but how is that working out - both in the relationship and in the business (if you don't mind sharing)?

Generally, investors are wary of married couples, in that they've been burned before. So we need to be very cognizant of the way we act around each other to ensure they get the most positive impression. If you read accounts of the flickr cofounders, you'll also get anecdotal evidence (that I've never experienced) that some investors are assholes and don't take women seriously.

We have complementing skillsets, which is perfect on the work side of it.

On the relationship side of it, I have no idea how people do startups that have significant others _not_ involved. Not only do we spend the vast majority of our time on the project, but we talk about it when we aren't working on it. How could an uninvolved party tolerate that?

Re: Ask YC: do you have a girlfriend/boyfriend?

#25
post #5

No, romance is dumb.

We know that romantic relationships frequently hurt people. This leaves some pro-romance positions available such as:

- it only hurts foolish people; there are known solutions to all those problems

- it's worth the risk of being hurt

- there is a type of relationship that is different than conventional romance in a way that prevents being hurt, but is still romantic

So, anyone want to debate, or just stick to downvoting? None of the pro-romance positions are obviously correct.

Re: Ask YC: do you have a girlfriend/boyfriend?

#28
post #5

No, romance is dumb.

Everyone is entitled their opinions, I dont see why this had to be downmodded necessarily because it is a valid statement. Besides the fact that antisocial people tend to say things like that. And nobody likes antisocial people. And they dont like anyone either, by definition.

I guess it was downmodded cause he didn't back up his valid statement.

Of course, I disagree with his statement. No gf here but I've got a date to prom ;)

Re: Ask YC: do you have a girlfriend/boyfriend?

#29
post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I realize every relationship/business is different, but how is that working out - both in the relationship and in the business (if you don't mind sharing)?

Generally, investors are wary of married couples, in that they've been burned before. So we need to be very cognizant of the way we act around each other to ensure they get the most positive impression. If you read accounts of the flickr cofounders, you'll also get anecdotal evidence (that I've never experienced) that some investors are assholes and don't take women seriously. We have complementing skillsets, which i…

Michael and Xochi Birch are part of the founding team behind Bebo.com, which seems to have worked out rather well for them financially. I'm sure founding a company adds some extra stress to any relationship but you can certainly take proactive steps to assuage that.

One blogger (relatively well known) but I can't remember which (sorry!) blogged about how he and his wife set aside a monthly date to re-connect. They go out to dinner, and exchange gifts (big or small.) There was quite a bit more detail than that and I think it's a good ready for any of today's super-busy couples. After 30 minutes of searching around I just haven't found the link. Maybe someone else here remembers the piece (or wrote it?)

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