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Ask HN: I'm lonely. Are there any video chat support groups for solo founders?

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Re: Ask HN: I'm lonely. Are there any video chat support groups for solo founders?

#61
post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or ... maybe not lonely. But want to feel a lively "buzz" that isn't from music or putting on movies in the background. Maybe weird. But I don't like sitting in my quiet apartment alone working. (I'm not particularly lonely - I just like the energy better when I'm "out")

I just wish we had something like this still - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_coffeehouses_in_the_...

I can't disagree. But in the absence of Ben Franklin, I still need to get out of the house to go find a place with "buzz" to work...

Re: Ask HN: I'm lonely. Are there any video chat support groups for solo founders?

#62

Thank you for posting this. I've five weeks into working for myself and avoiding loneliness has become a key task for me every day. I wouldn't say I'm succeeding at it, to be honest. I know I could join a coworking space but I question whether it's worth $400+ a month when I wouldn't be able to attend the networking events since I have a family and need to be home at night. (And I don't need meeting space, and have a…

Sounds like my life. I'll wave to you next time I'm at whole foods.

Re: Ask HN: I'm lonely. Are there any video chat support groups for solo founders?

#63
post #59

There is something deeply dysfunctional in our profession when people identify as "founders" instead of "engineers".

I don't think so. Founders are engineers who are entrepreneurs. It comes with different set of responsibilities and risk.

Re: Ask HN: I'm lonely. Are there any video chat support groups for solo founders?

#64
post #49

Get yourself into a mastermind group with 2-5 others in a similar situation - solo founders, bootstrappers, etc. You can start with just 1 other person then add more. Have a regular 1 hour video call every week or two. Everyone gives updates, support, and keeps each other accountable on goals. Keep a Slack/Skype channel open in between to say hi, help each other, share wins, etc. Bonus points for meeting locally, but…

Thank you for this comment!

Re: Ask HN: I'm lonely. Are there any video chat support groups for solo founders?

#65
post #42

Personally, whenever I feel lonely I would go volunteer and help people. It makes you feel connected and really puts things into perspective (like, even if your startup doesn't do well, you would still be surrounded by people who enjoys you as a person). Every Saturday, my wife and I volunteer at our local library (northside branch in santa clara) to teach people how to code. We've been doing that for almost a year w…

That's a great idea. I could probably start that up pretty easily because I know there's a need.

Where are you based? If you are in San Francisco, let me know if I can be of help. (my HN name @ gmail, or google my name).

Re: Ask HN: I'm lonely. Are there any video chat support groups for solo founders?

#66
post #42

Personally, whenever I feel lonely I would go volunteer and help people. It makes you feel connected and really puts things into perspective (like, even if your startup doesn't do well, you would still be surrounded by people who enjoys you as a person). Every Saturday, my wife and I volunteer at our local library (northside branch in santa clara) to teach people how to code. We've been doing that for almost a year w…

this is a bit of an awkward question but.. have you ever come across anyone who you tried to teach but in the end was just not suited for coding? can everyone learn to code?

Re: Ask HN: I'm lonely. Are there any video chat support groups for solo founders?

#67

I started a slack group for those of us that got rejected for YC, but no one participated so I shut it down. I'm also a solo founder in need of a support network. This is not about working around people but meeting up once a week for about an hour or so and sharing our progress and struggles and encouraging each other. Glad to know you are not alone. My email is on my profile. Ping me, anyone else interested should e…

unfortunately rejection is a difficult identity for people to rally around. consider joining some of the established slack communities mentioned here. good luck.

Re: Ask HN: I'm lonely. Are there any video chat support groups for solo founders?

#68

https://wip.chat/ is a new community of makers that I keep seeing around the Twitters

It's $10 a month.

and if its good, that's cheap. absurd to just talk about price without thinking about value. pple spend more on netflix.

Re: Ask HN: I'm lonely. Are there any video chat support groups for solo founders?

#69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's a great idea. I could probably start that up pretty easily because I know there's a need.

Where are you based? If you are in San Francisco, let me know if I can be of help. (my HN name @ gmail, or google my name).

I'm from Oshkosh, WI. There aren't many tech meet ups around here.

Re: Ask HN: I'm lonely. Are there any video chat support groups for solo founders?

#70

There is a site where you can co-work with someone. They do their thing. You do yours. Can't remember the name. Edit: I was thinking of https://www.focusmate.com , which has live streaming.

ok whoa. this thing is completely free? how do they make money?
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