undefined | Better HN

0 pointsdennis_jeeves14y ago0 comments

>So in our current co-op, two of us tend to enforce the bottom line, in our respective areas. I mean, legal structure and org structure, while there may be influenced, can be pretty orthogonal.

In some sense, then the two of you may extraordinary - a combination of ethics, IQ and integrity. Your biggest challenge will be handing over the reigns when you are ready to leave (usually only due to bad health or age, it's life long thing). More specifically the task has to begin decades before you leave. If it's not done (often the case) the enterprise's morals rot, even if it continues to be financially successful.

0 comments

1 comments · 1 top-level

mgbmtl4y ago

Yep, I see this in small shops of older friends. Some just close shop, or sell their business for almost nothing. Although there are ways to exit profitability from a co-op, I don't expect much. If it survives, I'll be happy.

We're not a big SaaS with exponential growth. We're based on Free Software and I often help competing shops because it helps an otherwise dying ecosystem.

I make most of my money off consulting and my co-op pays me well, and I'm generally really happy with work. Good enough for me.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse