Re:Ask HN: Will you startup with a remote co-founder you've ...
by muzani on Tuesday April 02, 2019 @09:10AM
(#19553637)
I disagree to an extent.
My first business was with a guy I knew and trusted well. He was a housemate for years and I witnessed him saving lives of friends. In fact, I trusted him so well that I turned a blind eye to his weaknesses. He was, in the end, dishonest and greedy, fatal personality flaws for a business.
On the other hand, my most successful business was with someone I only knew through Facebook. I bought his book. We shitposted a lot. The second time I met him in person was when making the business proposal to him.
After that, we sold the company to friends, who have been operating their company great for years. But shortly after the acquisition, the acquiring company felt apart because of lack of commitment. Historically, they worked great, and were expanding aggressively at the point of acquisition. They just stopped after that.
I think for the most part we have plenty of experience with humans. Every major mistake comes from being infatuated with the person, much like with marriage. And with both, charismatic people are likely to sneak past the filter.
I think marriage is a really good analogy though. But I feel it's not chemistry that makes marriages or businesses work. It's commitment.
My first business was with a guy I knew and trusted well. He was a housemate for years and I witnessed him saving lives of friends. In fact, I trusted him so well that I turned a blind eye to his weaknesses. He was, in the end, dishonest and greedy, fatal personality flaws for a business.
On the other hand, my most successful business was with someone I only knew through Facebook. I bought his book. We shitposted a lot. The second time I met him in person was when making the business proposal to him.
After that, we sold the company to friends, who have been operating their company great for years. But shortly after the acquisition, the acquiring company felt apart because of lack of commitment. Historically, they worked great, and were expanding aggressively at the point of acquisition. They just stopped after that.
I think for the most part we have plenty of experience with humans. Every major mistake comes from being infatuated with the person, much like with marriage. And with both, charismatic people are likely to sneak past the filter.
I think marriage is a really good analogy though. But I feel it's not chemistry that makes marriages or businesses work. It's commitment.