Anyone else work better as a solo founder?
I just read this article on solo founders performing better than multiple founders and could totally relate: https://mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/2-founders-are-not-always-better-1
For context - I'm really serious about building startups -- ex-Stanford, ex-FB, made $180k in the past. Every company I've started with co-founders failed.
For some reason, all my successful projects were done solo -- Amazon e-commerce store ($120k/yr), Minecraft Server ($61k), FoundersCafe.io ($5k MRR - current project)
I don't know if anyone else is in the same boat, but curious to hear if anyone else relates or if it's just me?
I worked better as a solo founder myself, but I think that's more to do with not picking the right projects and cofounders.
I feel you too!! What was your experience like with projects/cofounders? I've worked with 7 so far. Two went pretty well actually but in the end they left due to lack of commitment/drive/risk-taking. The rest were poop due to lack of complementary skills
Similar experience here. You need someone with the level of drive and commitment you're putting into it. And the same values, and goals, and ideally the same love for the process to get to those gols.
Also, this may sound dumb, but success helps. When the numbers are going up and to the right, it's easy to work with anyone. So I prefer small bite-sized projects that can either prove themselves in 1-3 months time or that we can declare a failure and move on with our lives. IH itself took about 3 months from idea to a successful launch that proved it was worth working on.
Finally, bringing on a late cofounder can help. Then you have someone who's aligned and willing to put in all the work of a cofounder, but you're still in the driver's seat and in control, which helps resolves potential disagreements.
That has been my experience too, not sure why but every time I go with co-founders they either slow me down or get side tracked in scattered directions due to mis-aligned priorities. But I still believe that having the RIGHT people on board is a great boost.
AHAHAH I feel you!!! A lot of my headspace is on alignment, not getting shit done.
Have you ever had the RIGHT people on board b4? Kinda curious what that's actually like, and how probable it is
Nope I haven't personally, but have seen it in few places where roles were split without overlap of functions between co-founders typically in a sales/marketing and technical roles. I also see it here on IH :)
I'm solo now. I had two co-founders in the past. One was good (complimentary skills), the other was terrible (useless, low effort, too much skill overlap.) I think it really depends on what you're building, your skills, and most importantly, the market you're in.
Finding a good market with or without a founder is key. The best team in a terrible market doesn't do well. When you're solo you're probably more inclined to pick a better market.
A great co-founder can help you take your business to the next level but they're not easy to find. Founder mismatch can kill the company.
That's so interesting so you're saying the most important indicator is the market? That makes sense bc if there's high demand, you can push out a poop MVP as a solo founder and get a ton of sales. And if you're in a low/no demand space, you're fucked
yep. this is a good read on importance of being in the right market: https://pmarchive.com/guide_to_startups_part4.html
I strongly believe that being a solo founder works much better for ME. It’s too hard to find some one you have known for several years, has complementing skills, has a complementing personality, is as passionate about the idea as me.
I’d rather build as much as I can solo and then hire folks better than me at other things (example marketing/sales) to help me out.
I personally think that in a company of two/three founders there always should be one who takes more responsibility and makes the final decision.
Fully agree to this. It must be clear who makes a final decision if consensus can not be reached.
I feel this way. In the deep past, I've worked with another person but what ultimately ends up happening is miscommunication or someone losing interest leading to less work getting done. I'm done with that.
AHHHH SAME!!! Both have happeend to me :'( Miscommunication or lack of commitment
Hey Maddie, What is an Amazon e-commerce store? Can you please share what is it?
Yeah!! Here's more info about it (a little outdated): https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2085938291515534&set=a.314982028611178
I personally have felt this that when I am working on my side projects I feel more motivated and just love doing that. Even though that project make or make not make money but still.
I currently run a small charity solo, and am building Squeaky with a friend. I find it much easier to stay motivated when I have another person working with me. That said, it also helps that we both have very complimentary skills and worth ethic - I could see how it would really be more effective to work alone that with a badly matched cofounder :)