Ask HN: When and why did you give up on starting a company?
3 comments
Once upon a time I set out to just build a startup fueled by ambition. I designed and strategized, e.t.c basics of the product, but I always found it hard to find a (technical) cofounder despite talking to friends.
After learning to code and realizing how much work (& burnout) I'd have to put in before this takes off, I opted out knowing I wasn't trying to make a product users want. A proof of that was the difficulty in finding a cofounder despite having skilled enough friends.
I got into depression. As I opted out, started learning the process of creating products that actually have real users wanting. I read carefully all of PG's essays, used Headspace for meditating & focused on good diet.
The most important lesson was about fixing broken problems in your daily life. Now, I'm working on a new startup with 2 other cofounders who are actually passionate about what we're building. We have alot of feedback/subscribed users and safe to say, we're on the right track.
I guess the idea of 'think big' is just wrong. Young folks get pressured into 'making it' that they believe thinking big would solve your problems/make you great. That's what I experienced. Don't think big, focus on discovering the tiny little things - the ones broken, and fix them. That's joy enough for a Hacker.
I guess the idea of 'think big' is just wrong. Young folks get pressured into 'making it' that they believe thinking big would solve your problems/make you great. That's what I experienced. Don't think big, focus on discovering the tiny little things - the ones broken, and fix them. That's joy enough for a Hacker.
That last point you make is very PGesque. IIRC, he wrote that the truly good problems exhibit pants-on-fire demand amongst a small number of people, and are therefore at first generally very niche. I think he even said there's usually no way to predict if you'll ever break out of that niche.
Hope your new startup goes well!
Hope your new startup goes well!
I started a company (LLC) to develop something I was trying to patent (utility patent). I kept things going as a side business for about 5 years while I worked a full time job, wrangled the patent, and put money and time into manufacturing, designs, and marketing. I hoped to build up a customer base to show the value of the patent and then license the patent to other manufacturers.
When the patent application failed, I decided to close the business. Without the IP, the more I built the market, the more likely someone else would come in to compete, and an established manufacturer could definitely beat me on price.
I learned a lot about how difficult marketing is (I come from a mathematics and software background) and how much footwork goes into sales. I also made some mistakes in the patent process I won't make again.
It sucked to give up, but was also a relief. I wasn't betting my future on it, so it wasn't a huge hurdle to make the call. No patent == no business.
I'll probably try again some day.
When the patent application failed, I decided to close the business. Without the IP, the more I built the market, the more likely someone else would come in to compete, and an established manufacturer could definitely beat me on price.
I learned a lot about how difficult marketing is (I come from a mathematics and software background) and how much footwork goes into sales. I also made some mistakes in the patent process I won't make again.
It sucked to give up, but was also a relief. I wasn't betting my future on it, so it wasn't a huge hurdle to make the call. No patent == no business.
I'll probably try again some day.
Agreed about marketing and sales. I feel like the hacker mindset tends towards 'build it and they will come', with a ???? for the phase in between.
I haven't 100% given up, but I've postponed it indefinitely.
When? For the past 4 years.
Why? For several reasons.
I started a company before (3 times actually).
The solo business was a slog, spending a lot of time doing things I hated to for barely enough money to feed myself, and with little outlook for growth.
The first VC-funded startup burned me out big-time. I'm not cut out for years on end of 60-plus hour weeks for a tiny chance at a large payout and a 98% chance at nothing. Especially given the opportunity cost of a senior engineer's salary.
The second startup I almost didn't do, but I was super passionate about the topic. Unfortunately, the team fell apart, but not before the stress impacted my health (permanently) - and the other things I learned from that experience informed the other major reason I'm not doing that again any time soon.
Which is that ideas are a dime a dozen, but good ones are rare, and marketing is HARD.
If I were to stumble across an idea I couldn't pass up, that would make a solid lifestyle business (no way I do the VC dance again) and that I could build in my spare time... ok, I might try again.
But starting a company and hitting it big areno longer part of my dream.
Instead I'm working on moving to a place I want to live, finding a 20-30 hour/week gig (be it contract or salaried work), and living a life that I can actually enjoy day to day, spending time with people I care about.
When? For the past 4 years.
Why? For several reasons.
I started a company before (3 times actually).
The solo business was a slog, spending a lot of time doing things I hated to for barely enough money to feed myself, and with little outlook for growth.
The first VC-funded startup burned me out big-time. I'm not cut out for years on end of 60-plus hour weeks for a tiny chance at a large payout and a 98% chance at nothing. Especially given the opportunity cost of a senior engineer's salary.
The second startup I almost didn't do, but I was super passionate about the topic. Unfortunately, the team fell apart, but not before the stress impacted my health (permanently) - and the other things I learned from that experience informed the other major reason I'm not doing that again any time soon.
Which is that ideas are a dime a dozen, but good ones are rare, and marketing is HARD.
If I were to stumble across an idea I couldn't pass up, that would make a solid lifestyle business (no way I do the VC dance again) and that I could build in my spare time... ok, I might try again.
But starting a company and hitting it big areno longer part of my dream.
Instead I'm working on moving to a place I want to live, finding a 20-30 hour/week gig (be it contract or salaried work), and living a life that I can actually enjoy day to day, spending time with people I care about.
This is a really great account and it sounds like the experience at least helped inform your outlook on life in a positive way. Thanks!
What did it feel like to give up? Does it still bother you? What was the shift in mindset necessary to get you over the emotional/psychological hurdle of quitting? Are you absolutely sure you'll never try again?
Trying to get a contrarian perspective.