Advice for a Struggling Founder (A Raw & Unfiltered Podcast Conversation)
https://www.startupsfortherestofus.com/episodes/episode-448-lets-talk-about-bluetick
I think this is the best podcast episode we've produced this year. A conversation with my co-host, who's been struggling for a while to push his product past Ramen-profitability:
https://www.startupsfortherestofus.com/episodes/episode-448-lets-talk-about-bluetick
Or on iTunes (it's episode 448):
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/startups-for-the-rest-of-us/id366931951
Kudos to Mike for the transparency & vulnerability — sending best wishes his way! And thank you Rob for sharing your framework for thinking through problems! It was useful for me to hear how you simply outlined choices (desirable or otherwise) and took it from there.
Hopefully Mike can get the medical issues dealt with. They're a two fold problem, first they slow you down and second you can use them as an excuse (which I find even worse).
I always find these episodes about your companies and the journey the most interesting.
Loved how you used the language of a speed bump VS a road block, that will stick with me. And I can't be the only one who has been "shouting at the TV" these things at Mike along the journey so it was interesting getting to hear you say them!
Website appears to be down :(
It's a DNS issue - domain moved last night. Working for 95% of the world, you must be one of the lucky ones still pointing to an old IP :-)
It's episode 448, alternate link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/startups-for-the-rest-of-us/id366931951
Mom always said I was special! Thanks, Rob.
this made me laugh more than it should, lol
This was my first time listening to your podcast, even though I’ve had it recommended before. I admire your candidness towards each other, and how you can both give and receive feedback even though it’s hard. It was like listening in on a private mentoring session. Great content, thank you.
This is rough... you talking about Mike becoming a non-trepreneur in your podcast, and Justin on Techzing talking about his risky deal with his wife that he'll give up startups if it his newest doesn't win.
With Mike's huge audience, it seems like he could very, very likely get to a moderate win making anything that appeals to bootstrappers in general that isn't too competitive. Also it's not like Bluetick isn't sellable at all!
What if he wrote an ebook about bootstrapping? That could be a small win he could reach within a single month that could get him moving with more spring in his step. The book could include what he's saw work from Microconfers and/or what has and hasn't worked in his own businesses.
other ideas from the podcast:
Hang in there, @MikeTaber!
Good suggestions, but I think each of them has an issue that would make it not work.
He's already written a book (https://www.singlefounderhandbook.com/) and wants to make something with recurring revenue. Bluetick doesn't throw off enough cash to allow someone to take a salary, even a small one.
He might be able to extract some code from it, but it's .NET...not super marketable to startups and not recurring revenue.
I like how you're thinking, though. Creative problem solving.
This was a really good episode! I feel for Mike - it sounds like he's had a rough time with health issues. I have no doubt he will figure things out though.
You mentioned a couple of times during the episode that Bluetick isn't differentiated enough - have you written any articles or do you recommend any for people in similar situations? People who have built products that aren't really differentiated? I got the impression that the right thing to do would be to keep shipping and talk to customers - would that be the right approach?
I haven't, but your approach sounds about right.
This was really important listening. Between this and Derick's journey with Level, there's been some refreshingly honest and realistic podcasting in the maker space lately.