It seems like finding an operator for a project is a problem others have experienced, but I'd love some feedback/validation from others with a similar experience.
Have you looked for someone to operate one of your side projects for you?
If so, what was that experience like?
If not, why not?
All by myself. Because I don’t have a hard goal for these projects, currently running 4, small profitability.
I’ve a full time role, hence I only work on my side projects when I’m free and for fun.
Thanks for taking the time to reply Felix. It's amazing that you can juggle 4 side projects with a full-time job!
I'm curious, would you consider hiring someone to free up time for other projects, or are you happy taking more on?
I won’t hire, coz I don’t wanna manage. But I might launch more side projects.
I am already managing a big team in my full time role. Sometimes more people doesn’t means less work.
I've never hired someone to run any of my side-projects.
Most things I classify as side-projects are those that are in development, or in very early stages. This usually means they are either pre-revenue, or just earning a modest amount.
So, finding and paying someone to operate one of my side-projects isn't really feasible or practical.
Keep in mind the above does not mean I'm doing everything myself. I have projects where I have to outsource things like coding/development, writing, mechanical engineering/3d rendering, graphic design, etc.
Once the project has more traction & revenue, it moves out of my side-project status. That's when I'll consider adding in some part-time help with certain functions, like Customer Support, or other operational tasks.
Thanks for your detailed response Mike, I really appreciate it. So it seems like you don't ever really look for someone to run a project for you so you can focus on something else? Do you struggle finding that part-time help at all?
My pleasure -- happy to help.
If it's something I consider a side-project (i.e. still work-in-progress), I haven't found any way to effectively hand it off to someone else for them to completely run.
From a prioritization standpoint, I generally focus on the side-projects that either can bring in the most revenue/profit (even if it's not a big number), or have the ability to bring in the most profit.
It can get pretty challenging to juggle too many side-projects, so I try to evaluate them every so often to determine if I want to work on them, wind them down, or possibly consider exiting them some other way.
Finding good part-time help can be challenging and time-consuming. And sometimes you just have to find someone good enough to handle things mostly right.
The enemy of good enough is perfect, so I mostly focus on making sure I find help that is good enough.