Started a stupid company. Failed. • Hacker News Board

Re: Started a stupid company. Failed.

#351

Post by nollidge » Wed, Nov 27, 2013, 4:25 PM UTC

singular wrote: post #36

zedshaw wrote: post #13

Hey, other comments are going to give you a few lines telling you to not quit, that you should hang in there, and that it'll be alright. That may be true, but to me it sounds like you're possibly not doing well enough to make any of that possible, and you probably need to find work fast. Here's what I want to do: 1. I have a little list of companies looking for employees that I'll send you. Not much just companies th…

I have for a while thought of you as (total honesty here) a bullying cock (though talented at what you do), but this comment which is sincere, genuine and offered to someone for whom this could be greatly helpful has made me seriously reconsider. Kudos.

Christ, not this shit again.

Can we all please rise above talking about personalities? How fucking drab.

Re: Started a stupid company. Failed.

#352

Post by jaxn » Wed, Nov 27, 2013, 4:26 PM UTC

Failure sucks. I have been there.

In my experience the hardest part was that I couldn't separate myself from my startup. So when the startup failed, I was a failure. This was compounded b/c the startup failed in large part b/c of my weaknesses. As a founder we are responsible for all aspects, but we can't be strong in all aspects (I suck at sales).

Take some time to focus on your strengths instead of your weaknesses. Luckily, that is probably the easiest way for you to pay the bills too.

It is going to take some time to rebuild your self-confidence, but it helps to acknowledge that is what is going on.

Good luck!

Re: Started a stupid company. Failed.

#353

Post by jaxn » Wed, Nov 27, 2013, 4:30 PM UTC

megablast wrote: post #194

With 3 kids and another on the way, this is a risk you should never have taken. Even when I started, a single bloke, I started my company in my spare time working full time, and built up a huge safety net before quitting. This is more a warning for others who think it is easy, or a fun thing to do. Don't.

You have no idea what risk he should or shouldn't have taken. I don't know if you have kids or not, but as a parent you have to both care for your kids and also provide them a good example of how to live. For me, a life without risks is not the life I want for my kids.

Re: Started a stupid company. Failed.

#354

Post by nollidge » Wed, Nov 27, 2013, 4:30 PM UTC

j1o1h1n wrote: post #285

singular wrote: post #227

Earlier quoted context omitted.

...but this comment which is sincere, genuine and offered to someone for whom this could be greatly helpful has made me seriously reconsider. Kudos. I felt you'd appreciate an unhedged opinion rather than me adding a bunch of weasel words like "I had the impression, right or wrong, that you were a bullying cock..." I meant to say, very sincerely, that I was moved by your offer of help and it very much made me reconsi…

I hate to be go all happy family on you, but please avoid swear words in a public forum like hacker news. There are enough forums where that sort of behaviour is a part of the culture and it degrades everyone.

What you're actually asking is for people to repress their emotions, and that's way more degrading.

Re: Started a stupid company. Failed.

#355

Post by pouzy » Wed, Nov 27, 2013, 4:31 PM UTC

Did you see it coming ? You might have wanted to start searching for a job before losing the house. Don't think you are worth nothing, hang in there and get back on your feet in a more "normal" manner.

Re: Started a stupid company. Failed.

#356

Post by chaostheory » Wed, Nov 27, 2013, 4:49 PM UTC

You had guts. Most people don't have that. You have perseverance. Most people don't have that either. You also have your health, you have a great wife, and it sounds like your family is healthy as well so that's a few big things that most people don't have.

You also haven't failed yet until you stop trying.

Houses are also never really anyone's until they fully pay it off anyways. In most cases, people are just renting from banks. I don't feel that you really lost anything aside from property taxes.

That said, it doesn't hurt to regroup and get a normal gig for some time. I don't think there's any shame with moving in with either your parents or hers for a bit.

Maybe next time you get the fever, aim for starting an equivalent of a "small restaurant" first before something much bigger. i.e. have a day job and work on your project at nights and weekends.

Re: Started a stupid company. Failed.

#357

Post by acuozzo » Wed, Nov 27, 2013, 4:57 PM UTC

dcarmo wrote: post #294

It just seems wrong to have three kids under 6 and a wife pregnant and still try your luck on creating a new company. I think before anything else, you need to be responsible with the ones that depends on you.

s/wrong/selfish and irresponsible/

Re: Started a stupid company. Failed.

#358

Post by gacba » Wed, Nov 27, 2013, 4:59 PM UTC

zedshaw wrote: post #13

Hey, other comments are going to give you a few lines telling you to not quit, that you should hang in there, and that it'll be alright. That may be true, but to me it sounds like you're possibly not doing well enough to make any of that possible, and you probably need to find work fast. Here's what I want to do: 1. I have a little list of companies looking for employees that I'll send you. Not much just companies th…

Thanks for NOT giving him the "hang in there" speech and some real alternatives to get him back on his feet. You're awesome, man.

Re: Started a stupid company. Failed.

#359

Post by headgasket » Wed, Nov 27, 2013, 5:01 PM UTC

ceejayoz wrote: post #339

headgasket wrote: post #323

What that does not kill you makes you stronger. No product + Sales = company. Product + no Sales = No company. It's only money, you have your health, your wife and 3 wonderful children, plus a beautiful promise underway. You can start the next one, loosing the stupid, with less than 100$ these days. A days worth of pay saved at the local burger shop. Pick the parts up and charge ahead. Just remember, no sales, no com…

What schlock. Many things that don't kill you can make you weaker - try quadriplegia on for size. Health is closely tied to money and employment in the US. Someone working at "the local burger shop" with three kids can't spare a day's pay - and $100/day is pretty unlikely take-home pay for minimum wage, anyways.

It was figurative. Thx for the downvote tho. My point was this guy has something he can sell for recurrent revenue with profits. That's a company. It can be as simple as consulting. A job or a self generated job with upside, what's better?

Good luck to you too.

Re: Started a stupid company. Failed.

#360

Post by jacoblyles » Wed, Nov 27, 2013, 5:29 PM UTC

I can't help out a lot. But I did accidentally order a pretty nice Christmas present that it turns out I don't need. Drop me an email with your address and I'll forward it for the kids.