Does participating in a startup as a hired CTO/CEO makes you an indie hacker?
And more importantly - should you continue working for you side projects at the same time?
And more importantly - should you continue working for you side projects at the same time?
If you are not one of the founders, and are being paid by others, it's a job. That's not Indie Hacking. However, the decision to work on side projects has nothing to do with a label like 'IH'. If you are able to have a side hustle... that's yours. Own it. Enjoy it. Welcome fellow IH.
A thought/comment though... be honest with the startup. At the level of CEO/CTO of a startup that is paying you, the founders (and your team) should know where your heart and mind is at. If you are concerned enough to post here about your ability to do a side hustle, I encourage you to dig deep and think how committed you are to it. There are too many opportunities in this world.... if you can't focus and live with passion on your core one, opportunity for success is squandered. That's not fair to everyone around you, including yourself.
Take it from someone with the battlescars... do what your love... love what you do. There isn't enough time on this planet to be hedging bets like that.
Be like Yoda... "Do or do not. There is no try."
Hey, thank you, that is a real and honest advice!
And I've been thinking along those lines but you phrased it just perfectly. The thing is, I don't know what my real passion is yet :) I can handle it pretty well though and work efficiently but you're 100% right, a job is a job and not an indie hacking.
I would say that Indie Hacker/ing is more of a state of mind than an official status.
Now, we gotta define what an Indie Hacker really is!
I'll reply to myself, this question has already been asked:
https://www.indiehackers.com/forum/discussion-what-is-an-indie-hacker-4f078287fa
I agree with Max, never stop your side projects.
You can gain a lot of knowledge as a startup employee and apply it to your side project.
No, a job is not indie hacking.
Yes, continue working on your own projects.
This comment was deleted 7 years ago