Who is asking? Generally as a small software company founder, key man risk worries come from middle managers who are afraid of the worst case (you dying or something) then their boss asking, so they are just trying to cover all their bases. It should be a minor consideration for the overall business who is the ultimate customer (as there is risk in everything - getting acquired, going bankrupt etc.), ask their concerns and reassure, focus on the value and product since you have a niche
Asks HN: Solo founders-How to respond when customers ask how big is your company
31–40 of 64 posts
Re: Asks HN: Solo founders-How to respond when customers ask how big is your company
#32I'd say something like:
> I _am_ . This product is my baby.
Re: Asks HN: Solo founders-How to respond when customers ask how big is your company
#33Hire a few freelancers for some small tasks here and there and say you’re a team of 5 with most of them located in India or Eastern Europe. Never say you’re a team of 1 even if you are. Some people here are too honest for their own good
I would do this, but not just to deceive. Having a small team you work with will address some of your potential customers concerns about your ability to scale.
It’s how I’ve been working lately. It’s mainly me the customer is buying, but I have a team of 3-5 trusted freelancers I work with. Customers don’t seem to bat an eyelid at that proposal.
Re: Asks HN: Solo founders-How to respond when customers ask how big is your company
#34create a team of AIs with cute names
Re: Asks HN: Solo founders-How to respond when customers ask how big is your company
#35Hire a few freelancers for some small tasks here and there and say you’re a team of 5 with most of them located in India or Eastern Europe. Never say you’re a team of 1 even if you are. Some people here are too honest for their own good
This is the worst advice you could ever take. Always be true to yourself. Always be honest. Your potential client should be honored to have the founder and CEO of their new vendor and your undivided attention.
Re: Asks HN: Solo founders-How to respond when customers ask how big is your company
#36I don't know if this is the best way, but what I've done in this situation is to answer along the lines of "we're a small, highly-focused company of under 50 employees. Do you have any specific concerns I can address?" (I choose "under 50" because that's often the smallest bracket in forms wanting this data).
The idea being that this question is often asked instead of what the customer really wants to know: "can you do the job properly in the required time frame?" I want to cut to the real question as soon as possible and not waste time and effort on the superficial one.
Re: Asks HN: Solo founders-How to respond when customers ask how big is your company
#37Tell them you are alone.
No need to be afraid
Re: Asks HN: Solo founders-How to respond when customers ask how big is your company
#38Hire a few freelancers for some small tasks here and there and say you’re a team of 5 with most of them located in India or Eastern Europe. Never say you’re a team of 1 even if you are. Some people here are too honest for their own good
I would do this, but not just to deceive. Having a small team you work with will address some of your potential customers concerns about your ability to scale. It’s how I’ve been working lately. It’s mainly me the customer is buying, but I have a team of 3-5 trusted freelancers I work with. Customers don’t seem to bat an eyelid at that proposal.
100%. Not only this, but it forces you to document things for other people (one of which is future you), and it forces you to have a plan for if you get hit by a bus. People do actually get hit by busses sometimes, and if you actually care about your customers you should have a plan for that.
Re: Asks HN: Solo founders-How to respond when customers ask how big is your company
#39I'm guessing most of the people here who are saying "be truthful" have never started a company. Sometimes you just gotta fudge the numbers a bit and do what needs to be done to get your company off the ground. I've been in your shoes and I recommend saying something like "we are a team of 5".
> Sometimes you just gotta fudge the numbers a bit and do what needs to be done to get your company off the ground.
I disagree. I've never had to lie to get a company off the ground, and if that was a requirement, I'd rather let the company die and try again with something else.
Being vague, however, is OK.
Re: Asks HN: Solo founders-How to respond when customers ask how big is your company
#40The question is predicated on the argument that 'small is bad'. As stakeholders in the industry, and active participants in the community, it is our job to try and change any negative perception of small enterprises. We have to show examples of 'small is good', and be truthful.
It's not predicated on that. It's predicated on risk. I've been a buyer of software and the last thing I want to worry about is a guy gets hit by a bus (figuratively) and then I am stuck.