I want my startup to be my real job.
I am on a 30-day hiatus from my real profession and I am using this time to work on my Startup. I want my startup to be my real job, but the realities of the world are what they are - got to find work.
I am making this post because it is really hard t prioritize what is important, what is necessary, what is worthwhile, why, when, food, exercise, sanity... and all that other stuff.
As a solo founder, I wear all the hats and I dedicate all my time to the product and the business. I do a lot to make sure I am on the right track but I can't seem to get a program for executing the day-to-day.
Right now, I am filling out another accelerator application, recording all my business data, reaching out to the supply-side, thinking of marketing, planning for the future...
Does anyone know of a system or planner than can get a solo founder on the right track? Don't get me wrong, I am getting stuff done - it just feels haphazard.
If you want to transition to it being your full time job, then your primary focus should exclusively be on generating revenue to replace your income for your job.
I understand this completely. I just can't meet the full-time transition due to legitimate responsibilities to my family. I have made the decision to go into my next job with no goal of progress upward, I am going to work there for the paycheck until I can get this thing to replace it. At this time I spend all my free time doing the startup, I fit the gym in and I go to some events but as for hobbies; it's just this. I am not complaining, I love this thing and what I think it can become. I made the post to see how others manage their time effectively especially in the light of other responsibilities. I heard a podcast some time ago, and there was a founder who said his only way to stop the gremlins was to make sure to ask himself "is this going to help the business make money?", if the answer was no he would put on the back burner. I try that technique often, but it's not always easy.
I can kind of relate to what you say.
I would advise trying to find a partner who can complete and help you business wise.
If you just feel that you're not sure you know what you do, don't worry. No one literally knows what they do.
I co-founded a fintech valued at 8.5M last year and I'm still not sure what I'm doing.
Keep going, learn by trying. Just do it, don't aim for perfection and over-planning.
If you put your ego on the side and dare to try and be wrong, you're already further than most people.
By the way I checked your app. I have a question, why would people use this app when you can just ask your friend to instagram you for free?
At first I thought you wanted to make an UBER for photographers but then I got confused.
Did you validate your idea before developing the app?
I am a solo founder operating solely on an idea. I have already registered the company, opened the payment gateway, incorporated, set up a bank account, established presence on stores, created and developed social media sites, and funded the idea. The app is being built by an outsourced team and I am the CEO, CMO, COO, and CFO. This is the reason why I am having trouble with priorities. I just left a career doing an unrelated thing and I pursued this plan, I have competing priorities all around. As for validating the app idea - Yes I believed I did. I spoke with a lot of folks, judged it on other competitors, and even funded a Survey and did market testing. Do we have product-market-fit? I don't know. I don't think we are nuzzled in just yet but I haven't spent too much on ads and education. As for getting the business end of the partnership, I am open but because the enchilada is already baked I am not sure I want to partner up. I would rather wait and sell. But what do I know? For one I know my ego is in the way, but I am trying. I would say we are Uber for photos, but its been my practice to avoid that trope, I have heard it's a little played out. We are working on location awareness which we believe will get us the ability to make that claim and make it easier for service providers to get customers. We are also working on price unlocking, this is a result of the CA AB5 bill.
I'm not sure about planners, I think that will always be an individual thing. Even if you get stuff done, you may end up getting the wrong stuff done. No planner will fix that.
Personally I think progress comes on working on the right problem at the right time.
So, what problem are you working on? And how will it help you become independent?
I am always seeking a solution to every general problem. I know that a planner is not going to fix the issue. I suppose I worded it wrong. I guess was looking for input from the community on what others do to get their days put together. I usually find a way to organize through Trello, Google Keep, Pocket and other "keeper" solutions. I just find myself with heaps of good ideas and only a few small nagging tasks removed from the list (I am adding faster than I can minus). Personally I think Trello has been super helpful especially as it shows the completion cards. It gives a pretty good record of my progress. As for the problem I am working on, I am really leaning into building my supply side of the marketplace for my app, I know I need to build some content that appeals to photographers. I know what I want to say but I don't know how to say it. I am building a strong content strategy and deck for delivery. I think the supply side is my prioirty but other things remain a concern. handling all these things are the gremlins I must wrestle.