10 ms·
Well, isn't that advice also mostly given to founders aiming to create a potential ≈unicorn and not a lifestyle business like this? Don't get me wrong, what th
by filleokus 7y ago
Well, isn't that advice also mostly given to founders aiming to create a potential ≈unicorn and not a lifestyle business like this?
Don't get me wrong, what this guy has done is impressive. Growing a company while staying profitable all the way, and being able to support himself is great. I would switch places with him (ex post facto) in a heart beat.
But still, this company will probably never be bought by anyone (besides maybe Stripe), and could very well exist for many years to come with 1-2 employees including the founder.
- taneq 7y ago$60k/month is a hell of a “lifestyle”.
- rscherf 7y agoAgreed, but spent most of it on the business and buying out my partner in the first 4 years.
- guynamedloren 7y agoI'm sure buying out your partner was an incredibly difficult decision to make. Good on you for leaning into what you've built by putting your money where your mouth is. I hope it pays off for you, and thanks for sharing your story with us.
- rscherf 7y agoThanks! So far, so good after 1.5 years. Truly sucked stuffing more capital into the business as there is a lot concentrated there that is somewhat illiquid, but our working relationship has soured enough that it made sense. No regrets.
- buzzkillington 7y agoYou can get that sort of money as a developer if you're lucky and in the right place. I just finished a contract with an Evil Inc that was paying pretty close to that. From my personal sample getting a job that pays that well is a lot easier than getting a business to be successful enough to have that much profit.
- rscherf 7y agoHappy to not be selling my soul to another Evil Inc or having a boss... tried that several times before.
- buzzkillington 7y agoYou do you man. But if you have the skills you have it will be a lot easier to make that much money in corporate than on your own. That said I'm buying some specialized equipment for a synthetic biology startup I'll be trying my hand at before my next contract. I expect to spend most of the money I made and get no where, again.
- slimed 7y agoThanks, BuzzKillington. Have you considered that your definition of "easy" might be different than that of OP's?
- buzzkillington 7y agoThere are many more opportunities to make net middle six figures being a cog in a machine than doing it out on the market. Is that pedantic enough?
- slimed 7y agoI don't find the distinction pedantic at all. There are plenty opportunities to be a janitor but there are aspects of that job I find unpalatable. Even if you paid me six figures.
- rscherf 7y agoDaniel Vassallo’s post might be interesting to you: https://danielvassallo.com/only-intrinsic-motivation-lasts/ https://danielvassallo.com/only-intrinsic-motivation-lasts/
- deleted 7y ago[deleted]
- rscherf 7y agoHey, Ryan here. I don’t want to be bought. And in the end if Stripe decides to shut off the source, there are plenty of other things to build. Not to mention, tons of companies to work for. Just fortunate to be in this time and place right now.
- jventura 7y agoCare to share any other “profitable” ideas? :) By the way, nicely done, some of us do really appreciate family and quality time in front of work time..