Re:Ask HN: Demotivated Founder With Lost Passion Seeking Advice
by trevelyan on Tuesday October 07, 2008 @06:19AM
(#325596)
>> Bad part is, we don't have any money
>>left for new development. I've handled
>>a good portion of the tech issues, except
>>for the core programming of the app:
>>interface design, database design, sys admin
>> config, some bug fixing,etc. Think of it
>> more as a CTO role, than a lead dev role.
>> At the end of the day it's still 2 of us,
>> that's a troubling sign. I'm a pretty
>> motivating person, and the fact no one else
>> has really shown interest in helping out or
>> getting involved is scary.
Well... it would be unusual for other people to show interest until you're making money or demonstrating how it can be done. Even if you have a great product changing people's patterns of behavior is very difficult.
The upside of this is that once you ARE making money, you'll find it becomes a lot easier.
If you don't think your partner is pulling their weight, the first question you should ask is whether you're being realistic/fair in your expectations of them, or whether you are looking for someone to blame for some perceived failure. Your post suggests that your partner is - in fact - doing most of the core development work. In either case, bestes is dead right - you need to clear your expectations with your co-founder.
If you need money get a part-time job or let one of you focus on trying to get funding while the other continues development work. Marketing is going to take a lot of effort, and if you're complaining about not having money for development it makes me wonder how you're planning on getting the word out to prospective customers.
Well... it would be unusual for other people to show interest until you're making money or demonstrating how it can be done. Even if you have a great product changing people's patterns of behavior is very difficult.
The upside of this is that once you ARE making money, you'll find it becomes a lot easier.
If you don't think your partner is pulling their weight, the first question you should ask is whether you're being realistic/fair in your expectations of them, or whether you are looking for someone to blame for some perceived failure. Your post suggests that your partner is - in fact - doing most of the core development work. In either case, bestes is dead right - you need to clear your expectations with your co-founder.
If you need money get a part-time job or let one of you focus on trying to get funding while the other continues development work. Marketing is going to take a lot of effort, and if you're complaining about not having money for development it makes me wonder how you're planning on getting the word out to prospective customers.