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Does "bootstrapped" mean self-funded or that you have only taken seed money? I think you need to call on a higher power but if you don't have a board you can ca

Does "bootstrapped" mean self-funded or that you have only taken seed money? I think you need to call on a higher power but if you don't have a board you can call on you might have to make sure you are leaving (when the time comes) on the best possible terms. throw him under the bus. do not pull any punches or try to cover his mistakes. i'm not saying to air your dirty laundry to customers and others, but don't treat him favorably in any convos you have ... if he derails a customer relationship, so be it. if it's really as bad as you say, that you need a miracle, you're done. make sure that you leave with some dignity. don't tolerate insults. you can be calm if you keep in mind that it says more about him than it does about you. "that's unacceptable, do you want to restate that?" and then if there's no correction, "this isn't productive" and leave the room.

CyberFonic 9y ago
If self-funded then the question needs to be asked as to who provided the funds -- was it 50:50 or sweat equity (technical partner) and money (sales and marketing partner). In my experience the person proving money + sales experience tends to grossly under-value the technical contribution, even if they come from a technical sales background.
- throwaway9934 9y ago
  We're both technical and we've both made similar financial contributions and sacrifices. One thing that has become painfully clear for both of us is that we need professional sales and marketing help from someone who knows our domain inside and out. The problem is that we can no longer afford to bring such a person into the company until we dig ourselves out of this hole.
throwaway9934 9y ago
We're self-funded so there is no higher power to call upon. It's a cooperate or die situation, and yes we need a miracle. I've taken advice today based on what I've read here and I somehow managed to speak frankly but with empathy. For the first time in I can't remember how long we managed to get along and talk about the problems. It felt like a good change. I don't know how much of it was me, him, or the situation. I don't expect that to last indefinitely but if we can survive this I think I can create a win-win situation and find myself a way out.

CyberFonic 9y ago

If self-funded then the question needs to be asked as to who provided the funds -- was it 50:50 or sweat equity (technical partner) and money (sales and marketing partner). In my experience the person proving money + sales experience tends to grossly under-value the technical contribution, even if they come from a technical sales background.

throwaway9934 9y ago
We're both technical and we've both made similar financial contributions and sacrifices. One thing that has become painfully clear for both of us is that we need professional sales and marketing help from someone who knows our domain inside and out. The problem is that we can no longer afford to bring such a person into the company until we dig ourselves out of this hole.

throwaway9934 9y ago

We're self-funded so there is no higher power to call upon. It's a cooperate or die situation, and yes we need a miracle. I've taken advice today based on what I've read here and I somehow managed to speak frankly but with empathy. For the first time in I can't remember how long we managed to get along and talk about the problems. It felt like a good change. I don't know how much of it was me, him, or the situation. I don't expect that to last indefinitely but if we can survive this I think I can create a win-win situation and find myself a way out.