Founder at Work

Life Defining Moments

2008-01-27T00:28:00.000-08:00

Few months ago, I sat down and reflected on my life until that point and examined all of the significant events in my life that changed or defined who I am today, aka the Life Defining Moments.

Quite interesting.

I've been feeling something big is just around the corner, a pleasant surprise. Well, honestly, I expected it. Something big is coming. Something big and something wonderful. I think this weekend, that may have just arrived. It's not finalized yet, so I don't want to say anything. Though definately excited, but also little scared.

The past weeks since the plunge have been full of learning opportunities, and now that just took on a new speed and curve.

Progress

2008-01-24T18:03:00.000-08:00

It's at times like this, you begin to wonder what will happen. Just so happen that the lawyers that I've been talking to regarding options of incorporation, visas and other legal stuff are on vacation. At the same time, I've sent off my business plan to few key contacts for feedback and referrals - so waiting on them on that. Basically, the past few days have been pretty slow.

My biggest struggle right now is that I can't get a legal entity set up in the States where the main market is unless 1) I can find VC backing 2) a US partner or get a business visa. My other option is to start an entity in Canada, however the cost is lot higher. Until I do that, I can't run marketing campaigns due to lack of protection.

In the mean time, keep on focusing on building the product.

I am so eager to do this!

Grind

2008-01-18T11:17:00.000-08:00

I finally think I've got something down, this is it. The idea, the strategy and the plan to go forward. What's immediately in front of me is to get a limited liability entity set up so I can begin running it to prove the concept works and get some funding.

BUT HOW?!

My primary market is in the US but I am a Canadian citizen. I've spoken to few lawyers (thanks to my friend's connection, I was able to email back and forth with them without them pulling the lawyer consultation fee) and seems like my options are getting a company started in Canada and then make my way into the US. Though I am still investigating if there is another way, it's just all these proceses are hindering my focus. Kind of annoying.

I remember waking up Yesterday morning with sense of optimism of all the possibilities. This morning woken up with emails of doors closing. Gut just wrenches. But I remind myself this situation isn't here to stay, and my creator is bigger than any of this. He breathed life into this universe and put all the planets into motion. I will move forward!

I get this feeling that something big is just around the corner, I am so close! I am just so close at seeing everything unfold...gotta keep on pushing.

Money

2007-12-26T15:58:00.001-08:00

I am working on few projects simultaneously between facebook app, a community site and a commercial app site. All in the hopes something will take off and bring in some revenue to cover my living expenses so that at the end of the 6 months, I don't have to go back to working.

Trying to remind myself that, it's important to build something that is useful, and money will follow. It's just really hard to work on something and not even knowing it'll turn out well. Still baffled at how so many people can come up with good sites, that earns so much money - I am sure they've gone through their shares of toughness. So far, things on the projects have been somewhat discouraging and it's hurting my spirit a bit.

Christmas

2007-12-26T15:53:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas, and it's hard not wanting to keep working on the project, and relax and enjoy this time with family and friends. Every minute that I am away from working, it makes me restless. I wonder if this is what people mean when they say, "don't let your start up take over you".

Getting close to my last day of work. It's begining to hit me and make me anxious - my projects haven't been going all that smooth. With people turning over, and project direction changing, it has been somewhat discouraging. To top that off, my car broke down over the holidays and now I am worried about a potential hefty bill.

Normally, I'd whine and complain but this time, I choose to trust and be prayerful that God will carry me through this and will provide a way for me. Though I still wonder time to time, if this I am doing what is aligned with God's will for me.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Startup Tips - from Mark Fletcher

2007-12-15T10:37:00.000-08:00

+15 Startup Commandments

1. Your idea isn't new. Pick an idea; at least 50 other people have thought of it. Get over your stunning brilliance and realize that execution matters more.
2. Stealth startups suck. You're not working on the Manhattan Project, Einstein. Get something out as quickly as possible and promote the hell out of it.
3. If you don't have scaling problems, you're not growing fast enough.
4. If you're successful, people will try to take advantage of you. Hope that you're in that position, and hope that you're smart enough to not fall for it.
5. People will tell you they know more than you do. If that's really the case, you shouldn't be doing your startup.
6. Your competition will inflate their numbers. Take any startup traffic number and slash it in half. At least.
7. Perfection is the enemy of good enough. Leonardo could paint the Mona Lisa only once. You, Bob Ross, can push a bug release every 5 minutes because you were at least smart enough to do a web app.
8. The size of your startup is not a reflection of your manhood. More employees does not make you more of a man (or woman as the case may be).
9. You don't need business development people. If you're successful, companies will come to you. The deals will still be distractions and not worth doing, but at least you're not spending any effort trying to get them.
10. You have to be wrong in the head to start a company. But we have all the fun.
11. Starting a company will teach you what it's like to be a manic depressive. They, at least, can take medication.
12. Your startup isn't succeeding? You have two options: go home with your tail between your legs or do something about it. What's it going to be?
13. If you don't pay attention to your competition, they will turn out to be geniuses and will crush you. If you do pay attention to them, they will turn out to be idiots and you will have wasted your time. Which would you prefer?
14. Startups are not a democracy. Want a democracy? Go run for class president, Bueller.
15. You're doing a web app, right? This isn't the 1980s. Your crummy, half-assed web app will still be more successful than your competitor's most polished software application.

+10 More Startup Commandments

1. You will have at least one catastrophe every three months.
2. Outsource effectively, or be effectively outsourced.
3. Do you thrive on stress and ambiguity? You'd better.
4. The best way to get outside funding is to be successful already. Stupid but true. But you, cheapskate, don't need money, right?
5. People will think your idea sucks. They're even probably right. The only way to prove them wrong is to succeed.
6. A startup will require your complete attention and devotion. Thought your first love in High School was clingy? You can't take out a restraining order on your startup.
7. Being an entrepreneur requires a healthy amount of ignorance. Note I did not say stupidity.
8. Your software sucks. So what. Everyone else's does also, and re-architecting is the kiss of death for a startup. Startups are no place for architecture astronauts.
9. You do have a public API, right?
10. Abject Terror. Overwhelming Joy. Monstrous Greed. Embrace and harness these emotions you must.

- Mark Fletcher ( http://www.startupping.com/ )
~Founder of Bloglines.com

Team

2007-12-15T10:31:00.000-08:00

Any start up related books you read, they'll always emphasize how important the initial crews are to the success and funding of the business. I've learned that part now. The initial people that you partner or seek help from plays out a huge role - they can either drive your start up down or take it off. I've got to find the right people with the right fit - find out what exactly is their motivation and if the two can work together.

Another lesson I learned was, you can't place your dream in someone else's hands. No one will care enough about it, or be passionate enough about or be vested in it enough to drive like you are. This is my baby.

Ups and Downs

2007-12-09T00:01:00.001-08:00

Ever since I've gave in my resignation, things have been really encouraging. People at work from boss to boss' bosses and from executives to president have approached me and wanted to find out why and if there was anything they could do. Honestly, I am flattered and feel honored that I meant something to the team and the company, and also feel blessed that they are looking at ways to have me contract/consult on part time basis, while allowing me to focus on the reason why I am leaving the first place. One hand, I can be proud of what I've done, but on the other really humbles me just how all of this was God's work and how much He has provided for me.

I've been praying for strong faith, trusting and seeking His will - He promised He will take care of me, and He definately has! I find them all around me.

I learned a lesson of 'Slow to hire, Quick to fire'. When I started the prototype, I wanted someone who was technically knowledgeable than myself, but I wasn't picky enough to find the good fit. Now I am paying the price. I finally decided to part way with the developer. Lots of time wasted but I got to keep moving forward. Skill is one thing, passion, eagerness to learn, personality, competencies and self-motivation are lot more important.

Being thinking a lot about execution and making tweaks to my original plan. I am learning lots so far, and definately pushing my comfort zone. Lot of things I would have procrastinated when I have constant income, are now things I wouldn't even think about procrastinate. If it's needed, I gotta get it going. Time is ticking.

Plunge

2007-11-29T01:18:00.000-08:00

It all started from this point. Passion in me of wanting to start my own business got so strong over the years - overflowing of ideas, planning, timing and the sunday night blues. I've decided to take the plunge, quit my job and focus on building the business from ground up.

From very little, I've always known that I'd like to work on new stuff and liked to create things and solving problems. Heck, if a company can earn so much money from using my talents, why don't I do that myself and earn the whole thing. I keep a notebook of all ideas and many of them I didn't excecute on, only till later seeing it being realized in the marketplace. I'd kick myself then and wondering why I never did. Why now? many people seem to be baffled by me leaving my job now - a job that pays well, opportunity to travel around the world, high visibility projects ownership etc. For me, all these things were nice but I saw them as a way to pull me into complacency. Pursuing one's true God given passion and dream is one of the biggest responsibility, if not the biggest. I believe that one should do what they love, and love what they do.

Lately, the Sunday night blues have turned into Saturday night blues. With much prayers and asking advices from trusted friends and mentors - I felt it's time to give this a shot. Worse case scenerio is I run out of money and I have to look for a job again. I am still young and only now can I take this kind of risks. Of course, there are still many things uncertain but I feel God's peace. I know He will provide for me and will guide me. Things will work out just fine.

Constantly reminded by stories like David and Goliath - praying and seeking councill is important, but it doesn't justify the lack of action. Parting the Jordan river - you've got to take the first step into the water, before God parts the river. It's so tempting to say, "God, provide for me, then I will do it" than, "I will take the step, I will do this because I trust you'll take care of me". [You have to step out of the boat, in order to walk on water]

So this is it...the road ahead is uncertain, but I am sure dang excited!