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One year as a solo dev building open-source data tools without funding

datastation.multiprocess.io

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Re: One year as a solo dev building open-source data tools without funding

#81

Post by j45 »

ThePhysicist wrote: post #45

Advice regarding VCs: Don't ever talk to them if they randomly approach you saying they "really like what you're doing". They will gladly sent an associate to talk with you about your business in the greatest detail and ask you to share presentations, demos and metrics. Anything you give them will then get passed along to their own portfolio companies in your space. So don't feel flattered when they feign interest in…

Brain rape is definitely a real thing:

https://youtu.be/JlwwVuSUUfc

People with money don’t usually know where to put it but can buy the time of many people in their 20s to roll the dice with their time.

It can be a mutually productive relationship if eyes are wide open.

If it’s one way it can be tough.

Mentors/Investors have always said to me to seek investors (or individuals who care about you and your mission (before being part of a VC portfolio) and can help you navigate a world that is going to be foreign.

VC portfolios are focused on their return or outcome in a specific timeline. Decisions may need to be made as a result that might be the wrong ones because of that pressure and not enough insight from the market. Still it can be positive and productive in a healthy relationship.

Re: One year as a solo dev building open-source data tools without funding

#82

Post by LukeEF »

'The open-source developer tools market is one of the worst markets one could possibly end up in... the answer is basic microeconomics. Developers love building developer tools, often for free. So while there is massive demand, the supply vastly outstrips it. This drives the number of alternatives up, and the prices down to zero.'[1]

5 years later and this still feels correct. From one OSS Dev Tool founder to another - more power & good luck!

[1] https://www.defmacro.org/2017/01/18/why-rethinkdb-failed.htm...

Re: One year as a solo dev building open-source data tools without funding

#84

Post by eatonphil »

andsoitis wrote: post #83

> That in-browser app is still around and supported today, though I kind of wish it wasn't since it means more code to maintain and test. Why not sunset it, given it presents an opportunity cost?

Because it's the only 0-download/install demo environment and it's hard (impossible?) to tell from analytics if it's a useful funnel.

Also, it can be convenient for testing/development since it requires no server.

I'm indecisive.

Re: One year as a solo dev building open-source data tools without funding

#85

Post by tomnipotent »

ThePhysicist wrote: post #45

Advice regarding VCs: Don't ever talk to them if they randomly approach you saying they "really like what you're doing". They will gladly sent an associate to talk with you about your business in the greatest detail and ask you to share presentations, demos and metrics. Anything you give them will then get passed along to their own portfolio companies in your space. So don't feel flattered when they feign interest in…

I think you're overestimating how effective gossip is. Because that's what it is, when I chat with a VC and they're telling me something about another company they talked to.

It's great gossip, don't get me wrong. It can even sway decisions. But a fifteen minute call between two people about another call one of them had isn't really the tell-all people might think.

At best I learn that so-and-so is using this tool, or spending money with this vendor, or do such-and-such process in-house. If gossip about another company convinces an executive to make big moves, the gossip was a very small part of that energy.

Re: One year as a solo dev building open-source data tools without funding

#86

Post by tofuahdude »

stewx wrote: post #66
ThePhysicist wrote: post #45

Advice regarding VCs: Don't ever talk to them if they randomly approach you saying they "really like what you're doing". They will gladly sent an associate to talk with you about your business in the greatest detail and ask you to share presentations, demos and metrics. Anything you give them will then get passed along to their own portfolio companies in your space. So don't feel flattered when they feign interest in…

What's stopping you from asking them to sign an NDA before disclosing any details of what you are doing?

They literally won't sign an NDA, especially at that early of a stage.

Re: One year as a solo dev building open-source data tools without funding

#87

Post by svnt »

nxmnxm99 wrote: post #57
ThePhysicist wrote: post #45

Advice regarding VCs: Don't ever talk to them if they randomly approach you saying they "really like what you're doing". They will gladly sent an associate to talk with you about your business in the greatest detail and ask you to share presentations, demos and metrics. Anything you give them will then get passed along to their own portfolio companies in your space. So don't feel flattered when they feign interest in…

If intel in your company will kill your business you don’t have a defensible business.

Basically no one has a defensible business prior to a funding round (or decent cash flow).

Re: One year as a solo dev building open-source data tools without funding

#88

Post by JacobThreeThree »

tomnipotent wrote: post #85
ThePhysicist wrote: post #45

Advice regarding VCs: Don't ever talk to them if they randomly approach you saying they "really like what you're doing". They will gladly sent an associate to talk with you about your business in the greatest detail and ask you to share presentations, demos and metrics. Anything you give them will then get passed along to their own portfolio companies in your space. So don't feel flattered when they feign interest in…

I think you're overestimating how effective gossip is. Because that's what it is, when I chat with a VC and they're telling me something about another company they talked to. It's great gossip, don't get me wrong. It can even sway decisions. But a fifteen minute call between two people about another call one of them had isn't really the tell-all people might think. At best I learn that so-and-so is using this tool, o…

>But a fifteen minute call between two people about another call one of them had isn't really the tell-all people might think.

You can also just promote your business without disclosing your secret sauce. If you can't handle a meeting with a VC without accidentally handing over company secrets, you've got bigger problems.

Re: One year as a solo dev building open-source data tools without funding

#89

Post by svnt »

eatonphil wrote: post #5

Hey this is my story! It's been a genuinely fun year. Looking forward to doing better next time. Datastation/dsq are in a great spot and I'm looking forward to them continuing to grow. Happy for your suggestions and flames.

You just need (to become, to partner with) a business person.

If you’re determined to be CEO get a CEO mentor and an early sales VP who can do all the interpersonal stuff you find uncomfortable.

If you want to stay in product/dev find a cofounder to be CEO. They are late so cofounder doesn’t necessarily mean 50/50 here. Founder vest.

It’s evident your story needs tuning as “I had a hard time paginating results” is not the real story here nor is it very compelling and just reinforces initial uninformed opinion in the space that you’re only scratching an itch that isn’t market-validated.

What are other people doing with your product? That is the story. This feels like it could be a really big thing.

Re: One year as a solo dev building open-source data tools without funding

#90

Post by tomnipotent »

JacobThreeThree wrote: post #88
tomnipotent wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you're overestimating how effective gossip is. Because that's what it is, when I chat with a VC and they're telling me something about another company they talked to. It's great gossip, don't get me wrong. It can even sway decisions. But a fifteen minute call between two people about another call one of them had isn't really the tell-all people might think. At best I learn that so-and-so is using this tool, o…

>But a fifteen minute call between two people about another call one of them had isn't really the tell-all people might think. You can also just promote your business without disclosing your secret sauce. If you can't handle a meeting with a VC without accidentally handing over company secrets, you've got bigger problems.

Founders are excited to talk about their business, and like with any skill it takes practice to learn what and how to share.
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