Find a good accountant - s/he will take care of your tax issues. Accountants also see businesses come and go in large numbers so if you find one who chats up his clients you will have access to interesting pool of information.
Ask HN: How do you learn about the business aspects of running a startup?
11–20 of 24 posts
Re: Ask HN: How do you learn about the business aspects of running a startup?
#12I've been a contract software developer (in Australia) for a few years now and have been doing this via a company that I set up. Creating a company to contract through certainly creates work and (in Australia at least) there is no tax advantage in doing so - but a lot of the basics of running a company (particularly tax, insurance, accounting and director obligations) are now second nature to me. I've found this a great way to learn.
Re: Ask HN: How do you learn about the business aspects of running a startup?
#13Blood, sweat, and tears.
Re: Ask HN: How do you learn about the business aspects of running a startup?
#14just do it, one man show -> you take all responsibility, if it fails, it's all yours.
btw, don't confuse MBA with actual business experience.
Re: Ask HN: How do you learn about the business aspects of running a startup?
#15Hacker news probably isn't a good place to go for learning how to run a business. Not much experience in that area here.
I think the secret in your situation is to simply focus on what marketers call "pushback". What I'm talking about here is to get your product concepts as far as you possibly can without spending any money and then look for "pushback" (e.g. some sign that someone is interested in purchasing it or that your business model will work).
And, please, don't hire anyone until you have some real money flowing in. That usually ends up in disaster.
Re: Ask HN: How do you learn about the business aspects of running a startup?
#16Books are a good start. Here is a (very) short list of must reads.
1. 4 Steps to the Epiphany by Steve Blank (Recommended by Marc Andreesen and many others, for starting a company you only need to read the first half)
2. Innovators Dilemma by Clayton Christensen (Understating whether what you are doing is a sustaining or disruptive innovation)
Re: Ask HN: How do you learn about the business aspects of running a startup?
#17Books are a good start. Here is a (very) short list of must reads. 1. 4 Steps to the Epiphany by Steve Blank (Recommended by Marc Andreesen and many others, for starting a company you only need to read the first half) 2. Innovators Dilemma by Clayton Christensen (Understating whether what you are doing is a sustaining or disruptive innovation)
Here here. Most startups get to step 2 without ever achieving step 1, and so they flame out. Get '4 Steps to the Epiphany.' Drop everything and read it. All will become clear.
Re: Ask HN: How do you learn about the business aspects of running a startup?
#18I know this isn't any help to you personally, but if anybody reading is in the UK then the Business Link website (http://www.businesslink.gov.uk) seems to be a great resource.
Re: Ask HN: How do you learn about the business aspects of running a startup?
#19Books are a good start. Here is a (very) short list of must reads. 1. 4 Steps to the Epiphany by Steve Blank (Recommended by Marc Andreesen and many others, for starting a company you only need to read the first half) 2. Innovators Dilemma by Clayton Christensen (Understating whether what you are doing is a sustaining or disruptive innovation)
Here here. Most startups get to step 2 without ever achieving step 1, and so they flame out. Get '4 Steps to the Epiphany.' Drop everything and read it. All will become clear.
Just ordered it off Amazon -- looks like a great book. Thanks.
Re: Ask HN: How do you learn about the business aspects of running a startup?
#20Just jump in and try. You'll probably fail a few times. You learn and get better and try again. Eventually you'll get it. Or not, in which case time to try something new!