jaypreneur

I'm not sure if anyone else hates sitting down all the time, but I really want to be able to stand while I'm working on my computer. However, is there anything that they sell to use on the go?

I would use something that could be put on top of a normal desk. But I can't seem to find anything that is really portable (fits in my bag)

Anyone know if something like this exists?

Hey everyone.

So, I've been contemplating this for a while and really need some advice. I'll try to be brief, but I apologize if I drag this on.

I work full time at a job I hate. Although it pays pretty well... I work until 9+ PM 25% of my time (like this week). It will be like that throughout January and February, for instance. Additionally, my commute (which varies due to where I have to be) is often two hours a day.

Ultimately, all of this time kills my ability to really learn code and focus on my business. I lose out on hours AND on mental stamina. It sucks. I'm all for working hard and would easily work 10+ hours (and can stay focused fairly easily) per day on something I am passionate about (this would include coding as 1. I know it'll help me create my business and 2. I think I'll enjoy it)

Currently, I have designed a website mockup, landing page, reached out to potential customers, and now I know I need to create. I consider myself competent on both the business and design side of things. I've been making small attempts to find tech co-founder, but it's difficult with no real traction (and no friends who do any programming at all, although one who is willing to learn... but that's another story).

So, I am at a crossroads. I am incredibly dedicated when I want something. I love learning. And I really want my business to succeed, not just for my benefit even, but because I truly believe my vision can make a great impact.

At this point, it looks like it will be very difficult to find a tech co-founder. Most are already doing their own thing, working for a startup with traction, or looking to work for a startup with traction. Someone like me, understandably so, is last on the list. Even if I find someone interested, I will be a difficult judge of talent. Additionally, we will need to work well together, have visions that fall in line, and so on... the perfect match is probably impossible. Even finding a reasonable match is incredibly difficult. It could take weeks, months, over a year...

In all that time/effort spent looking for someone, I am confident I can learn to code and develop something. I don't expect to be incredibly proficient, but be able to create something useable I hope. My idea isn't rocket science here. It's taking common internet technologies and combining them together. Ultimately, it's an idea and business that hasn't really hit its stride yet. I'm betting on the fact that it will and I want to be the business that is a part of (or the reason for) that.

I just don't know what to do. Fortunately, I am living at home for now and stay put if need be. That eliminates some obvious costs. However, having an income is helpful. Additionally, I definitely don't want to "waste" time. I'm one of those people who is always moving and doing something... I account for all my time internally. I want to make sure if I do leave my job it's the right thing to do and that I don't spend months without an income and end up with nothing to show for it.

So, if you guys could give me your thoughts, suggestions, anything you want to say, I'd greatly appreciate it. I would approach advice regarding the decision itself (i.e. "Leave your job! Go for it!" or "Stay there! Don't leave!") or advice on how to approach the situation after a decision is made (i.e. "If you leave, approach learning to code by reading X, Y, Z..." or "If you stay, look for a tech co-founder by trying X, Y, Z or use your salary to outsource a minimum viable product"). Or anything else you want to say! Please!

Last thing... I just want to say this forum is awesome and I love reading through the threads and great news articles everyone posts. I'm glad I found it.

Quick question.

Let's take Facebook as an example. Let's say "The Facebook" was originally trademarked... would they have need to get a new mark for "Facebook" or would they be considered essentially the same under the rules for Trademarks?

I ask because I am in a similar situation (using "The" in front until it's worthwhile paying for the main URL, which is not in use but the buyer wants an amount I cannot afford to pay for right now).

Help appreciated... thanks!

What do you guys think about the idea of outsourcing your minimum viable product?

I'll explain. So, I have an idea I've been working on (design, mockup, survey potential customers, etc.) and I'm at a standstill (sort of, I am always reaching out to potential customers) until I get a technical co-founder.

I know that the end goal is having a technical co-founder with me through everything. However, it's very hard (seemingly impossible thus far) to get anyone on board without some traction, i.e. MVP and some customers.

So, it's a catch 22. I need a tech co-founder to help create the MVP, but they don't want to come on board unless one is already created!

I've been contemplating outsourcing the MVP to try and gain traction. I have a very detailed mockup already, so hopefully there wouldn't need to be much guesswork on the part of whoever I hired. Is it worth it?

The negatives:

I am out a few thousand dollars (trying to cap it at 5k). I still have no tech co-founder

The positives:

I have a minimum viable product I have something to show customers I have something that can gain traction All of the above make it easier to find a quality tech co-founder (still won't be easy, but I assume far easier than without the MVP)

What do you guys think? Is it worthwhile? Or am I thinking about this all wrong? Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks!

Where are you from? Do you think it makes (or has made) a difference? 1 point by jaypreneur 3 minutes ago | discuss | edit | delete So, where is everyone from? And do you believe it will make (or has made) a difference in terms of your success?

And if you think it's hindering you, have you considered moving (or already moved)?

Anyway, I'm from NY. I believe it will only be a help to be here. I think NY has great, smart people and I just went to the NY Tech Meetup two nights ago and I never realized NY had such a large startup community. Hopefully I can slowly become a part of it too (feel free to contact me if you're from the NYC area, jfortes16 at gmail)

How do you approach customer emails as a startup? I mainly ask n regards to the following type of emails:

-Landing Pages, Surveys, Etc... where the customer is not directly emailing you, but you might be sending out confirmation emails, surveys, notifications, etc. Would you use your company name and "us" in those cases?

For direct customer contact, I feel like being yourself is more personal and the customer will appreciate it.

However, for the first case... I feel as if you could go either way. I'm curious what you guys would suggest.

2. When customer emails

So, is this a bad idea?

Some quick background:

I came up with an idea. I researched potential competitors, talked to potential customers, and overall got good feedback. So, I went along working out features (as well as refining down to MVP) and started designed a pretty detailed wireframe. I consider myself a business/design co-founder. I feel I have a good eye for design and user experience. I'm learning to code the front-end now. Unfortunately, those skills can only get me so far.

So, I decided to ask a friend of mine (who is also non-technical) if he wants to do this with me. The idea I had in my head is the following....

I could outsource, but then I have no one to update/maintain anything. Though I guess at that point, I would have an MVP and (hopefully) customers and could get a tech co-founder on board.

I could do it myself. But then I spread myself thin everywhere, take longer to accomplish everything, and likely can't really do a professional level job. The outcome is the same as above. I get MVP out there and (hopefully) customers and could get a tech co-founder on board.

Then there is hustle hard to try to get a tech co-founder without an MVP. Difficult. (I have to try though... so perhaps I should have tried that first? I'm not just trying to be the "idea guy" or anything. I know I need to bring more value to the table than that)

Ultimately, all the above issues show one glaring weakness. How do I even know this tech co-founder won't be a huge problem? From what I understand and believe, your relationship with a co-founder is just as important as their skill sets. You need to get along, share a vision, have trust... it's not easy to find this person. If you can find them at all.

Fortunately, my friend and I do have a good relationship, work well together, trust one another, and so on. If he was technical, I'd have IMMEDIATELY went to him. But unfortunately who doesn't know any coding, but he's willing to learn to become technical co-founder. An additional plus is we're both in the a position to go at this full time.

However, what can I expect here? Is it a bad idea? He's a smart guy and learns quickly. But I know there's a lot to learn... there are those with years of experience out there. So, is it setting myself up for failure/problems?

I am just second guessing myself here. While I'd feel bad to "take it back" because we're good friends. I would rather do that now, before we get started working on it, then down the road when we realize it was a mistake. To be honest, the reason I am second guessing myself is because maybe I'm underestimating my ability to find a technical co-founder? Or even underestimating my ability to "do it all" I suppose.

Any and all advice here is appreciated. Thanks!

Hi all. I come here for some advice. Like plenty of others, I have an idea for an internet business. I know that an idea isn't worth much though if you don't act on it and execute. So, I've been trying my hardest to do what I can. I'm not technical, but I've been been working in all the ways I know how and learning what I don't.

I've developed the idea, asked potential customers questions, got feedback. I know it has potential. So, I designed the website wireframe, business model, marketing model, logo...

But now comes the time where something useable needs to be created. I can show potential customers a wireframe and ask them questions, but until they actually show they are willing to use (and pay) for it, I know I don't have any real traction.

I come here asking for advice on how I should approach creation. There seem to be three approaches:

1. Do it yourself 2. Outsource 3. Find a co-founder

Now, I am determined to learn to the technical side regardless. I've started on that journey, tackling HTML, CSS, and Javascript. I'm no expert, but I understand. I want to go after PHP as well. However, I know I don't have time to be professionally proficient in a reasonable time. It won't stop me from learning, but I'm not sure if it's the smartest way to approach this. But please, tell me if I'm wrong. I don't underestimate the amount of work/experience needed to be a great coder though... so I don't expect to be good enough in a few months.

In regards to outsourcing, I have a good amount of money saved, enough to hopefully create something. However, that something might not even be close to the end goal... and then what? What about when customers ask for more? What about maintenance? What if I do go to investors and it's just me... sure, I consider myself valuable on both the business and design end of things, but with no one to cover the technical aspects, who will want to invest? Which brings me to...

Finding a technical co-founder. I'm from NYC and plan on going to some startup meetings I've found out about. However, I know this is a scary proposition as well. For one, I have nothing created, so will anyone want to even come on board? Then I guess I need to assess options 1 & 2.

I just am looking for some guidance here. I'm at this standstill and I feel overwhelmed with all the options and just pick a direction and go. If that's outsource and then find a technical co-founder once something is implemented, then I'll tackle outsourcing now. If it's DIY, then pick up my pace (hell, quit my job, live at home and make studying and creating my new job) so I can get things going. If it's find a technical co-founder, than go out there and prove myself.

Anyway, I apologize for the length of this post, but I guess I have a lot on my mind here. But any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!