3 ms·

Advice for my first startup?

Looking for a little wisdom from the ycom crowd. I'm just getting started on a little idea that's going to be my first foray into the web startup world. I'd love to hear any/all advice you have for me as I get started. Backstory: I've been in the web world as an executive-type for several years, but never started my own company. I'm not a developer or designer, I just have an idea and a really clear roadmap for what I want to see happen. Would love to hear your thoughts.

nostrademons 16y ago
Ignore everything but: a.) Figuring out who your customers are and what they want. b.) Building that.
- samratjp 16y ago
  On top of nostrademons advice, find people who you (and they) can work along with. They will be your family and so you better get along with them well or else perish. If you are building a technology based company, you should be very clear to your cofounder(s) (hopefully some smart technical ones) about what you can bring to the table. Honestly, talk about your idea and see if people really care about it enough. Of course, I've also seen this - some really smart business folks writing long business plans and then tell me, "This is our product X [a web based solution often times] that we're trying to build, there's a need for it, etc... Oh, and we just need a website - we could maybe use a part time web developer?" Of course, there is nothing wrong with not knowing where to start, but it's really good to test your assumptions from the get go. And it doesn't hurt to have advisors - as in people who have done this kind of stuff before. You'd be amazed how much people can share over a piece of pastry and coffee :-)
lakeeffect 16y ago
"have an idea and a really clear roadmap" Then whats the question? Do you have a developer and a designer with whom you are working? If you want to get a general idea of startups read PG's Essays. http://www.paulgraham.com/articles.html http://www.paulgraham.com/articles.html
SRSimko 16y ago
The question is a bit vague but I would be ready for the following: - Your road map may appear clear now but expect to pivot - Don't believe all the hype with your first success, keep working hard - Marketing and standing out in the crowd is difficult - Start building relationships now with influencers who you'd like to engage later Without more on actually what you need advice on is tough but all I can say is be ready for highs and lows and try keep plugging away. Best of Luck
photon_off 16y ago
Don't believe all the advice you hear. Some of it contradicts itself, and not all of it will work for you. Use your best judgment and keep your goals in mind.

nostrademons 16y ago

Ignore everything but: a.) Figuring out who your customers are and what they want. b.) Building that.

samratjp 16y ago
On top of nostrademons advice, find people who you (and they) can work along with. They will be your family and so you better get along with them well or else perish. If you are building a technology based company, you should be very clear to your cofounder(s) (hopefully some smart technical ones) about what you can bring to the table. Honestly, talk about your idea and see if people really care about it enough. Of course, I've also seen this - some really smart business folks writing long business plans and then tell me, "This is our product X [a web based solution often times] that we're trying to build, there's a need for it, etc... Oh, and we just need a website - we could maybe use a part time web developer?" Of course, there is nothing wrong with not knowing where to start, but it's really good to test your assumptions from the get go. And it doesn't hurt to have advisors - as in people who have done this kind of stuff before. You'd be amazed how much people can share over a piece of pastry and coffee :-)

lakeeffect 16y ago

"have an idea and a really clear roadmap" Then whats the question? Do you have a developer and a designer with whom you are working? If you want to get a general idea of startups read PG's Essays. http://www.paulgraham.com/articles.html http://www.paulgraham.com/articles.html

SRSimko 16y ago

The question is a bit vague but I would be ready for the following: - Your road map may appear clear now but expect to pivot - Don't believe all the hype with your first success, keep working hard - Marketing and standing out in the crowd is difficult - Start building relationships now with influencers who you'd like to engage later Without more on actually what you need advice on is tough but all I can say is be ready for highs and lows and try keep plugging away. Best of Luck

photon_off 16y ago

Don't believe all the advice you hear. Some of it contradicts itself, and not all of it will work for you. Use your best judgment and keep your goals in mind.