5 Comments

The best time to sell is when you don't want to sell

Years ago, I received the above advice from an experienced entrepreneur. I didn't ask for this advice; it came up naturally during a conversation with the entrepreneur who had recently sold their own enterprise.

At the time, I was still in the early stages of my own entrepreneurial journey and was eager to listen and learn.

Recently, I was approached by someone interested in buying my project. While I've had inquiries in the past, they were not genuine, so I didn't give them much thought.

However, this time was different, and I was intrigued enough to consider the offer. But as I thought about it more, I realised that the idea of selling made me uncomfortable.

The true advantage of an offer to buy your project is that it forces you to re-examine your motivations for starting your project in the first place.

After nine years, I had forgotten my original goal: to be free and in control of my own life.

Now, I can confidently say that I have no desire to sell, not now or in the future.

Shay

, Founder of

HelpStay.com

on April 7, 2023

Say something nice to HelpStay…

Post Comment

1

A driveway expert designs and constructs driveways with meticulous attention to detail, selecting materials and layouts that enhance functionality and aesthetic appeal, creating inviting entrances that elevate property value.

driveway

·
a year ago
·
Reply
1

Hi: Is Helpstay like the old days, woofing wwoof.net ? GPT4 showed me there are actually a few woofer-like platforms now.

Here in nz, woofing is still big. Housesitting is very big here too. kiwihousesitters being the most well known but not a great UX site. Best we have, so people use it.

I have always wondered why the housesitting sites do not offer woofing opportunities too. Be amazing to see a combo site. Help and housesitters. Homeowner listing specifies which. As the outreach for each service (helpstay, housesitters) is identical. The workers, and sitters, still pay the annual membership fee. Homeowners list for free.

catalystNewbie

·
3 years ago
·
Reply
1. 1
  
  Hi there! Thanks for your comment.
  
  Helpstay is indeed one of several woofer-like platforms available today.
  
  It's great to hear that woofing and housesitting are popular in New Zealand.
  
  Regarding your idea of a combo site that offers both woofing and house sitting opportunities, that's definitely an interesting concept.
  
  Shay
  
  ·
  3 years ago
  ·
  Reply
  1. 2
    @HelpStay thxu + lmk if you decide to do anything. Combo is like bundle pricing to a citizen. Plus, if you desire feedback on HelpStay's UX, please lmk. I have started to look at the other aggregator platforms in this space.
    
    Given the growth in digital nomad workers and sharing (access) economy, I am seeing a range of these style of aggregated platforms popup.
    
    The older style platforms in this space seem to have all been built from scratch, or founders paid someone to build proprietary.
    
    They are not great UX in my book. Many still look like the old message board style sharing from 20 years back.
    
    I am looking for open-source solution for this type of aggregated platforms, or a modulized ready made base solution.
    
    Many home owners who use the housesitting service are retirement age as have the the time + funds for long trips. That is why combo is good as I know many need help too. UX just needs to support less tech savvy.
    
    This space is actually super interesting from a business opportunity stance.
    Merging of 3 perspectives -- business owner perspective (provider of aggregated platform), paying citizen (house sitter, helper) and asset citizen (home owner).
    
    Once aggreggated platform is set up, if great UX, and sound vetting exists -- you have a low maintenance business. WOM is king from both sides -- paying citizen and asset citizen user groups.
    
    I use several aggregrator platforms focusing on utilising of assets for citizen. Again. no competition and no no-code aggregator solution (yet).
    
    transfercar.co.nz here in NZ alot (relocating car back to rental companies base, often including 1 tank of petrol/ferry crossing paid for). No competitor.
    
    mycaryourrental.com (rent your car when your not using it or travel overseas for work/holiday). No competitor here but internationally there is turo.com and getaround.com
    
    Camplify.com (rent out your under utilized campervan). Very lucrative side business here in NZ.
    
    others include 'rent your driveway out as car parking place', 'find a car parking place', use un-utlized truck space on weekly routes, use un-utlized space in shipping containers, store your stuff in my space (versus commercial storage units) etc.
    
    EDIT:
    Only in housesitting space am I seeing competitors and improved UX. So like having a combo (sit + help) site, these newer sites combo with 'dog walking'
    
    here in NZ housesit site proprietary and not UX for older people. Needs a competitor. Pricing model works (sitter pays only for membership, listing home is free), Sit service is free - kiwihousesitters.com.
    More recent entrants, where trustedhousesitters.com has been long established. They are v expensive and both owner and sitter pay.
    Newer alternatives have the UX sorted
    
    US dogvacay.com
    
    UK borrowmydoggy.com
    
    The best app from a UX perspective I use in 'sharing economy space', is ShareWaste giving my compost to someone who has a compost bin, rather than going to landfill. Designed in Australia, adopted in NZ. IOS/Android app https://www.sharewaste.org.nz/
    
    catalystNewbie
    
    ·
    3 years ago
    ·
    Reply
    1. 1
      
      Good analysis and thanks for your feedback :)
      
      Shay
      
      ·
      3 years ago
      ·
      Reply