When it comes to business even scientists start judging too much and perceiving too little.
Why I'll be a solo founder next time
71–80 of 156 posts
Re: Why I'll be a solo founder next time
#72Earlier quoted context omitted.
You're right, correlation doesn't equal causation. However, in my specific case the implementation issues were came from issues in the team. In the end, implementation comes down to team. (Hindsight is always 20/20, but everything we did wrong had to do with marketing and building and audience)
Not to be pedantic, but, doesn't it always? I think it's easy to blame other people for problems, but the path to self-improvement is internalization. Someone on your team missed a deadline which fubarr'd your project? Your fault for not checking in with them to make sure they delivering what you wanted. Someone forget to put the trash out. Your fault for trusting them. This is a bit dishonest, but empowering for the…
The source article explicitly stated "I'm not exempt, I was also guilty of this," and during some particular sections more specifically pled guilty and apologized.
So, "I think it's easy to blame other people for problems, but the path to self-improvement is internalization" doesn't sound pedantic. It sounds worse.
Re: Why I'll be a solo founder next time
#73Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'll chime in here and say that reading this article sounded exactly like reading about my own 3 previous (failed) partnerships. My sole successful venture has been solo all along (not including employees), and has outlasted the rises and falls of the other businesses (during the amateur entrepreneur "too many fingers in too many pies" phase). I don't think I'd do a partnership again. But maybe I just don't play well…
I suspect this is a key insight. There is a colloquialism for a company of people all trying to be 'the boss' called "Too many Chiefs, not enough Indians" (in reference to the tribal organization of Native American tribes, where in fact there was exactly one Chief who was the final arbiter) but another spin on this is "Too many Medicine men, not enough Indians." The "fantasy" life of a startup founder is that they se…
""(in reference to the tribal organization of Native American tribes, where in fact there was exactly one Chief who was the final arbiter)""
AFAIK absolutely false. It is also a gross generalization about a diverse group of people with differing sociopolitical structures.
I would suggest reading "Empire of the Summer Moon" for an example of a famous and incredibly egalitarian American construct, or just read about Iroquois political structures via Googling, for two examples.
http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=939760...
Re: Why I'll be a solo founder next time
#74Or perhaps timing was a factor if they succeeded after. Timing plays a huge role in success.
Re: Why I'll be a solo founder next time
#75Earlier quoted context omitted.
Not to be pedantic, but, doesn't it always? I think it's easy to blame other people for problems, but the path to self-improvement is internalization. Someone on your team missed a deadline which fubarr'd your project? Your fault for not checking in with them to make sure they delivering what you wanted. Someone forget to put the trash out. Your fault for trusting them. This is a bit dishonest, but empowering for the…
The source article explicitly stated "I'm not exempt, I was also guilty of this," and during some particular sections more specifically pled guilty and apologized. So, "I think it's easy to blame other people for problems, but the path to self-improvement is internalization" doesn't sound pedantic. It sounds worse.
Sorry, I wasn't trying to be offensive or indict the author. I also wasn't disagreeing with him.
I was only trying to add my lens of commentary. It wasn't to say that the author wasn't already taking this under advisement, but only to add my additional perspective.
Sorry if my diction led you to believe otherwise :(.
Re: Why I'll be a solo founder next time
#76"I believe that my previous two ventures failed mainly because of the founding team (which I’m included in). How do I know? Because companies with almost identical products and value propositions succeeded afterwards."
This is a dramatic and flawed oversimplification. There's no one reason why one company fails while another succeeds. The founding team may be part of the issue here, but I almost guarantee that there were probably plenty of other things going on than just that.
Re: Why I'll be a solo founder next time
#77Isn't there a massive stigma against solo founders? I get that impression from most of what I read.
Re: Why I'll be a solo founder next time
#78I allready decided to be a single founder. It's damn hard to find someone interested in starting a venture together, it's even harder finding someone on the same wavelength. I could grow a beard (omg I have!) waiting for this to happen.
I burned out working my ass off nights and weekends because my previous partner was absolutely sure he'd be able to sell our product. Which unfortunately turned out different (but that venture still makes money... Too much to let it die... Too less for it not to be a pita)
'your startup chances increase with a partner'. Yes, but I'm not interested in a startup that makes me filthy rich, I'm just looking for something to replace they daytime job where I don't have to be at an office 5 days a week and where the office can be wherever my laptop is.
I have built several succesful applications over the years (for others) where I used my UI/UX skills (and really just common sense and thinking before code/design). I can make the tech side of a project from A to Z (and in my current daytime role also doing sales and marketing as I'm the sole manager of a very small but very profitable company).
And next time I'm taking on a co-founder, I want proof that he has commercial skills because it seems anyone thinks they can do marketing and sales or that it will happen by itself or something.
Re: Why I'll be a solo founder next time
#79Nice article but I disagree. I am very technical person and I really miss cofounder who would take care of social/business side.
First heaving new born children gives me focus on work. Before I would procrastinate a lot. Now I have to turn my idea into business, or there will be serious trouble. Sure I can only give it 10 hours X 6 days a week, but that is enough.
Secondly I disagree on remote location. It takes extra money (fast internet, video conferencing gear) and effort. But it also gives more freedom to choose best partner.
Re: Why I'll be a solo founder next time
#80I allready decided to be a single founder. It's damn hard to find someone interested in starting a venture together, it's even harder finding someone on the same wavelength. I could grow a beard (omg I have!) waiting for this to happen. I burned out working my ass off nights and weekends because my previous partner was absolutely sure he'd be able to sell our product. Which unfortunately turned out different (but tha…
I'm just looking for something to replace the daytime job where I don't have to be at an office 5 days a week
Wouldn't it be easier to simply find a job that lets you work remotely? Not every employer would allow that, but I have to think if you put a startup level of effort into such a job search you would find and land such a job in a month or two. I could be wrong (maybe you've already tried), but it from an outside perspective it seems to be the case.