I'm (Finally) A Co-Founder!

So after months (maybe years) of wanting to work on building something from ground, I've joined the founding team at PromoPrep as Head of Growth (or something lol).

Here's some of what I learned along this journey so far:

1. Move fast, move smart, but just move.

I'm someone who doesn't want to delay unnecessarily when I have a goal in mind.

But you can't really rush into making the decision to become an owner or to move from side hustle to full-time focus.

It can involve consultations with lawyers, finance pros, other founders. And a lot of conversations with your immediate family (especially if you're married or in a committed relationship).

At the same time, you've got to just make the jump at a certain point. Even your failures bring a lesson you can take with you.

My mindset is just to have clear boundaries in mind -- because every gamble or opportunity should have limits you set or ways to gauge your success and decide if you're at a stopping point.

2. Picking co-founders is intensive, not unlike dating.

It's incredibly important that you and your co-founders are aligned. You're choosing someone you're going to spend a lot of time with and have to communicate with very effectively. It's not enough to both be passionate or ambitious. You have to make sure the way you think and work is very compatible.

I've heard a few founders say they wouldn't ever work with a stranger, but I've also heard others say that being a solo founder can be incredibly lonely.

My co-founder and I went through several rounds of conversations, talking about all kinds of things from our career goals to our personal lives. We even set up a family meeting so our partners/spouses could get acquainted.

It went beyond your basic interview. We were really trying to get to know each other.

3. There is a big difference between building something as a side project and committing full time.

My co-founder and I are both at different places when it comes to this, but there's definitely a difference.

I used to watch Shark Tank and wonder why the investors didn't want to work with founders who hadn't quit their day job and fully committed.

But even the most ambitious, driven person is going to have trouble dividing their time and resources.

Anyway

I'm so excited to be working on this. I've already started designing the website (because what marketing-minded professional doesn't start at the website on day 1) and on reworking pricing, CX, etc.

I'd love any feedback or thoughts from you all.

I'll be building in public of course to chart my experience as a first-time founder on both Twitter and through my newsletter.

Cheers to my fellow founders and builders (or those aspiring to that route)!!