SWF (Sassy Woman Founder) Seeking Technical Soulmate(escapingthe9to5.com)
escapingthe9to5.com
SWF (Sassy Woman Founder) Seeking Technical Soulmate
http://www.escapingthe9to5.com/virtual-startup/technical-soulmate/
8 comments
Good points - well taken :) Thank you.
Am I the only one who is a bit offended by the cleavage shot on a post about looking for a CTO? Not by the cleavage shot itself, but by the idea that she thinks it might help her get a CTO.
Now that I think about it though, sadly, it might.
Now that I think about it though, sadly, it might.
I wasn't offended per se, but it did make me think a bit about sexual politics in the workplace.
I know my technical soul mate is out there somewhere – it’s just a process of kissing enough geeky frogs to get to the geeky prince charming i.e. technical co-founder of my dreams.
Ew. Really? Obviously she can use her hotness to get geek boys to rally to her cause, but ultimately shouldn't it be the strength of her ideas that sells the position?
I know my technical soul mate is out there somewhere – it’s just a process of kissing enough geeky frogs to get to the geeky prince charming i.e. technical co-founder of my dreams.
Ew. Really? Obviously she can use her hotness to get geek boys to rally to her cause, but ultimately shouldn't it be the strength of her ideas that sells the position?
It's not like every great idea is immediately obviously great. I could have sworn one of the values in this community was tireless drive when nobody else believes in your company, doing whatever need be done to make it a success?
How is what she's doing (if that's what she's doing) particularly different? Especially considering I bet there's at least a couple founders on here who have occasionally turned on the charm to help reel in female investors.
How is what she's doing (if that's what she's doing) particularly different? Especially considering I bet there's at least a couple founders on here who have occasionally turned on the charm to help reel in female investors.
Perhaps it's not that different than how charismatic folks routinely get people to help them. I realize it's supposed to come off as a funny piece that reads like an online dating profile, but it does feel like pandering to me. I guess I was more offended by it than I first thought.
Crap, it's getting more offensive the more you think about it? :(
That line was a joke... I like to try and be clever in my writing but obviously it often falls flat :) The strength of the position is how far we've got without a CTO - product shipped, iterations made, sales & traction - not me or my poor attempts at humor.
First off, that's just a cool picture I like. I didn't even notice any cleavage until you mentioned it - sorry - wasn't meant to offend.
I wouldn't be offended if a guy had buff arms in a picture or his shirt opened a little & you could see his abs - the picture was meant to represent me (someone my CTO would be spending a lot of time with) and I simply liked it - thought it looked cool w/ the Instagram lens I chose to use.
Again, apologies if it offended you.
I wouldn't be offended if a guy had buff arms in a picture or his shirt opened a little & you could see his abs - the picture was meant to represent me (someone my CTO would be spending a lot of time with) and I simply liked it - thought it looked cool w/ the Instagram lens I chose to use.
Again, apologies if it offended you.
No no. I just scanned the text and saw the image and jumped to conclusions.
That said, if I saw a startup founder posing in any sort of check-out-my-body way in order to convey the culture of the company, I would find it entirely unprofessional. Well unless it was an exercise company I suppose.
A little unsolicited advice from a technical founder on his fourth startup? What I look for in co-founders first and foremost is their ability to execute, not culture. In a small startup, everyone shapes culture. I'm looking for someone who is respectable enough to bring into a VC, looks like they're on top of their game, is fearless, is absolutely passionate about their idea, can convince other people that their idea is great and has some sense of what they're doing.
Good luck with your search!
That said, if I saw a startup founder posing in any sort of check-out-my-body way in order to convey the culture of the company, I would find it entirely unprofessional. Well unless it was an exercise company I suppose.
A little unsolicited advice from a technical founder on his fourth startup? What I look for in co-founders first and foremost is their ability to execute, not culture. In a small startup, everyone shapes culture. I'm looking for someone who is respectable enough to bring into a VC, looks like they're on top of their game, is fearless, is absolutely passionate about their idea, can convince other people that their idea is great and has some sense of what they're doing.
Good luck with your search!
edit: She changed her Facebook profile picture to that photo about 4 days before the article was posted. She's also made it her Twitter avatar (@marenkate). So I guess it's not a joke, and it's not about getting a CTO. That's just how she represents herself online.
it is how i represent myself online & off - just me being me, nothing racy or sexual intended.
From the title and picture, at first I thought she was looking for a date.
It probably will. I feel crude pointing this out, but it has become an annoyance to me in the past year. I consume a lot of technology and videogame journalism, so my comment is mostly derived from experiences there. (The person posting this blog/request is more related to what I'm about to say in spirit than in actual example).
In particular, I've come to enjoy playing a sad little game called "content creator or attention whore" where I predict what a journalist's website will be like before I actually visit it.
I am very good at this game. It helps to illustrate the difference between people who care about and are knowledgeable in videogames or technology versus those who just want to get their name and voice and face out there and are just using whatever they can get to springboard into having a sit-com on NBC or hosting Entertainment Tonight or something. These are the people who make me feel icky, because either they are misleading the audience and the reader by pretending to give a damn about something that is just part of their path to fame or they have so little faith in the reader that they can't win them over with words.
So, you have your Jeff Gerstmans, Veronica Belmonts, Scobles, Pogues, Sarah Lanes, Ngai Croals, Justin Mcelroys, Ryan Davis. These are people who clearly care about the things they cover and the focus of their sites are their content. Yeah, you might catch a series of goofy candid photos from Scoble now and then, but when you visit their sites, the primary focus is content.
Then you visit the site of some other people who supposedly do the same thing and their sites are just massive walls of devotion to themselves. They're filled not so much with -- you know, content -- as they are with headshots and glamor shots.
The most recent example of this game being played was when I listened to a gaming podcast where someone was a guest that mentioned they have about four shows that they do. Video podcasts, audio podcasts, producing content and so on. I just knew what I was going to find when I went to the website they mentioned. Sure enough, the site had a list of all the shows they do that was dwarfed by the 70% of every page that was consumed by multiple enormous headshots of themselves.
In particular, I've come to enjoy playing a sad little game called "content creator or attention whore" where I predict what a journalist's website will be like before I actually visit it.
I am very good at this game. It helps to illustrate the difference between people who care about and are knowledgeable in videogames or technology versus those who just want to get their name and voice and face out there and are just using whatever they can get to springboard into having a sit-com on NBC or hosting Entertainment Tonight or something. These are the people who make me feel icky, because either they are misleading the audience and the reader by pretending to give a damn about something that is just part of their path to fame or they have so little faith in the reader that they can't win them over with words.
So, you have your Jeff Gerstmans, Veronica Belmonts, Scobles, Pogues, Sarah Lanes, Ngai Croals, Justin Mcelroys, Ryan Davis. These are people who clearly care about the things they cover and the focus of their sites are their content. Yeah, you might catch a series of goofy candid photos from Scoble now and then, but when you visit their sites, the primary focus is content.
Then you visit the site of some other people who supposedly do the same thing and their sites are just massive walls of devotion to themselves. They're filled not so much with -- you know, content -- as they are with headshots and glamor shots.
The most recent example of this game being played was when I listened to a gaming podcast where someone was a guest that mentioned they have about four shows that they do. Video podcasts, audio podcasts, producing content and so on. I just knew what I was going to find when I went to the website they mentioned. Sure enough, the site had a list of all the shows they do that was dwarfed by the 70% of every page that was consumed by multiple enormous headshots of themselves.
I'm assuming I won attention whore from the tone of your comment? I'll take it, though the whore part is a bit offensive - but I usually don't bitch about things that offend me.
I'm not knowledgeable enough w/ technology - hence why I'm looking to fill that void in my new company.
Glamor shots? Any pictures you see on my site are taken via phone using Instagram - hardly glamorous. I added a picture of myself because that's who the person who fills my position will be working with - ME - not because I'm self-involved.
I've been blogging for over 2 years & have put almost 250 posts out there - whether they are quality or not is for the reader to decide but I'm definitely done my best to put good content out into the world, for no other reason than because I love what I do & I love writing.
Sorry to offend but I guess attention whore is a step up from just plain "whore" so I'll take it :)
I'm not knowledgeable enough w/ technology - hence why I'm looking to fill that void in my new company.
Glamor shots? Any pictures you see on my site are taken via phone using Instagram - hardly glamorous. I added a picture of myself because that's who the person who fills my position will be working with - ME - not because I'm self-involved.
I've been blogging for over 2 years & have put almost 250 posts out there - whether they are quality or not is for the reader to decide but I'm definitely done my best to put good content out into the world, for no other reason than because I love what I do & I love writing.
Sorry to offend but I guess attention whore is a step up from just plain "whore" so I'll take it :)
As I said, it's not exactly the same thing, but I was responding more to the notion of the too-common extreme the poster above me seemed to elude to; not necessarily directly in response to your content. Other than perhaps this individual posting of yours, I don't think you're in the same ballpark as the more common and extreme examples I discussed. (I was going to post the URL of the most recent example of this game that we played, but it strikes me as bordering on mean-spirited.)
Also, I'm not sure why you would take particular note of the "whore" part of the phrase "attention whore". One who seeks attention through deliberately meaningless or provocative tactics. Meaningless seems inaccurate, but provocative is appropriate and clearly intentional. And, again, I'm talking more about the pattern in the industry of attention-whoring rather than your specific instance. You know, like someone who has a hundred thousand twitter followers and the first thing you find on google when searching on the name of these "journalists" are bikini photoshoots for men's magazines.
Also, I'm not sure why you would take particular note of the "whore" part of the phrase "attention whore". One who seeks attention through deliberately meaningless or provocative tactics. Meaningless seems inaccurate, but provocative is appropriate and clearly intentional. And, again, I'm talking more about the pattern in the industry of attention-whoring rather than your specific instance. You know, like someone who has a hundred thousand twitter followers and the first thing you find on google when searching on the name of these "journalists" are bikini photoshoots for men's magazines.
I see what you're saying, definitely not trying to join that camp, but point taken.
> I added a picture of myself because that's who the person who fills my position will be working with - ME - not because I'm self-involved.
But I'm still not getting the need for cleavage.
But I'm still not getting the need for cleavage.
Like I said, wasn't meant to be a cleavage shot - just a picture - I didn't dissect it and think "hmm... how many people will be offended by this" maybe i am just jaded from growing up in Vegas but in my world that is so not a big deal.
Not offended at all. It's a very nice, good cleavage.
Speak for yourself. Will work for cleavage.
"Error establishing a database connection"
I knew it. My dreams of hacking with a beautiful girl have once again been dashed on the rocks of virtual reality.
//After reading actual article.
Why was I right? :(
I knew it. My dreams of hacking with a beautiful girl have once again been dashed on the rocks of virtual reality.
//After reading actual article.
Why was I right? :(
I like the sounds of this service. Is it ready to use in at least a crude form before you hire a CTO?
Keep up the good work! I'm sure that despite the odd comments here you'll find someone to help :)
Keep up the good work! I'm sure that despite the odd comments here you'll find someone to help :)
Thanks! Yep, we're up, running & making money - rolling out a biz model change next week which gives us more recurring revenue.
I read through most of this thread with much respect for your tact and exhibition of thick-skin. I resisted clicking through, so as not to bias my judgment (many comments noting cleavage). Eventually, I felt compelled to visit the linked article, and, excuse me, but the camera that took that shot seems to be aimed down your shirt. I will certainly admit to being something of a 'prude', but I believe that is an attribute in this context (i.e. work/ business).
You seem to have passion, and that means a lot; but, I fear you might attract some talent that might cause trouble down the road using, what I would call, somewhat provocative methods to attract talent. IMHO, dress conservatively.
You seem to have passion, and that means a lot; but, I fear you might attract some talent that might cause trouble down the road using, what I would call, somewhat provocative methods to attract talent. IMHO, dress conservatively.
Direct link to job ad:
http://zirtual.com/technical/
Major turn-offs:
- "Noel: in the Philippines, runs recruiting operations and SEO"
- "Design team in Moldova: they make the designs, you code them"
That's two parties in hard to reach timezones who are more senior and have some influence on the tech? I wouldn't touch that with a bargepole unless I get some written agreement that I would be given free reign to fix this if it becomes a problem (which it most likely will).
That's two parties in hard to reach timezones who are more senior and have some influence on the tech? I wouldn't touch that with a bargepole unless I get some written agreement that I would be given free reign to fix this if it becomes a problem (which it most likely will).
Since we recruit half of our VA's from the Philippines it makes perfect sense to have an office there & a person who takes care of recruiting directly from the Philippines.
We're bringing in a designer in S.F. but for now - since we're bootstrapped I have outsourced the design to a team in Moldova - this is just a temporary thing and I do agree, it would be a problem if it was permanent
We're bringing in a designer in S.F. but for now - since we're bootstrapped I have outsourced the design to a team in Moldova - this is just a temporary thing and I do agree, it would be a problem if it was permanent
Interesting fact about the VA's location. That wasn't what I meant though, I was just referring to the SEO part of Noels job.
Also, it sounds like you're at risk of getting too hung up on the old-fashioned way of strictly splitting design and code (recommended reading: http://37signals.com/svn/posts/1061-why-we-skip-photoshop).
Also, it sounds like you're at risk of getting too hung up on the old-fashioned way of strictly splitting design and code (recommended reading: http://37signals.com/svn/posts/1061-why-we-skip-photoshop).
From the sounds of it, Noel (among other things) is responsible for finding the actual virtual assistants. That's a critical position. The design team is probably more easy to replace.
The other thing that I note is that the founder wants everyone to read Atlas Shrugged. I'd take that seriously, don't apply unless you're comfortable with that brand of politics.
The other thing that I note is that the founder wants everyone to read Atlas Shrugged. I'd take that seriously, don't apply unless you're comfortable with that brand of politics.
Ah, I dislike it when someone (especially a non-technical person) talks about me working all night.
This is going to be my future job ad: You recognise the importance of a fit body and mind. You work out. While at work, the words "Facebook" "Kongregate" "Hackernews" sound like jibberish to you. 'Being right' just means 'delivered a successful product' to you.
This is going to be my future job ad: You recognise the importance of a fit body and mind. You work out. While at work, the words "Facebook" "Kongregate" "Hackernews" sound like jibberish to you. 'Being right' just means 'delivered a successful product' to you.
I work all night, I work from early morning to late, late at night so yes I do expect someone to work with me...
Since you insist on these terms, please provide the exact number of hours you put in each day, excluding breaks.
I don't expect someone to work as long as I do, I know this is my baby - maybe that's a line I should cross out.
I think 8 like a normal job is great, if someone gets excited about a project & wants to work late w/ me I'd enjoy it - that's the only point I was trying to make.
I think 8 like a normal job is great, if someone gets excited about a project & wants to work late w/ me I'd enjoy it - that's the only point I was trying to make.
Before the CTO, you might want to get a CPO (Chief Proofreading Officer).
"Let’s face it, only a fraction of your day is spent on the tasks and projects that directly effect your bottom line." - http://zirtual.com/how-it-works
It should be "affect". Personally, I'm looking for a C3PO (Chief Proofreading, Pudding and Panties Officer) because I like for my people to multitask.
"Let’s face it, only a fraction of your day is spent on the tasks and projects that directly effect your bottom line." - http://zirtual.com/how-it-works
It should be "affect". Personally, I'm looking for a C3PO (Chief Proofreading, Pudding and Panties Officer) because I like for my people to multitask.
Yep, you caught me I got confused on effect & affect - guess i should open a whole new position for it. Though the idea of someone watching over our pudding & panty operating does sound appealing since that is a large part of our operations out here ;)
Perfect! It just so happens that I am available for the newly-formed C3PO position at your company. My comment was actually BOTH a means of creating a position specifically tailored for myself, AND my application for said position. If you hire me, your proofs shall always be read, your pudding shall always be warm, and your panties shall always be clean and pressed.
I remember an interview, from long ago, with Peter Sellers, who played Chief Inspector Clouseau in "The Pink Panther" film series. He said something to the effect (<--!!!) that he didn't wait around for jobs in Hollywood to become available. Instead, he created situations out of which roles tailor-made for him would come into existence. In other words, he did what it took to make jobs for which he was the best choice. From that, I now have the philosophy of "One Job, One Applicant".
I remember an interview, from long ago, with Peter Sellers, who played Chief Inspector Clouseau in "The Pink Panther" film series. He said something to the effect (<--!!!) that he didn't wait around for jobs in Hollywood to become available. Instead, he created situations out of which roles tailor-made for him would come into existence. In other words, he did what it took to make jobs for which he was the best choice. From that, I now have the philosophy of "One Job, One Applicant".
Lol, thank you for being funny :) This thread has brightened my day - and stirred up a serious desire for a pudding cup.
2. While I think many posters here have focused too much on the the job-posting-as-dating-profile approach, the reality is that something like this will send the wrong message to the type of person you want to avoid, and may hurt your credibility with the type of person you want to attract. I don't need to know that you like long walks and are feisty; I do need to know that you have a solid product and a viable business model.
3. The number of experienced developers who will jump at the opportunity to work long hours with a person they don't know in the hopes that their equity in a startup that hasn't been funded will one day be worth something is fairly limited. If you are going to find a person willing to do this, it will probably be somebody you already know, or somebody you meet locally and build a relationship with.