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Looking for a Technical CoFounder
I have a website that needs help getting to the next level. The site has been producing revenue since July 2010, although it is not yet profitable. I need a Technical Co-Founder to help with this push.
We are an online marketplace for spas and salons to list their slower appointment times, typically at a discount. We partner with spas, and when a client books through our site, we take a cut of the transaction. Currently, we work with spas in Chicago, San Francisco, Denver, and Seattle.
The site is built in Django. Once an appointment is booked an email is automatically sent and we utilize Twilio for automated phone calls to the spas. There are between 5 - 10 transactions per week, but this needs to be pushed to the next level.
One of the biggest challenges is just getting eyeballs to the site. Currently we get 50 - 100 daily visitors, 1/3 of which is from paid traffic. We are looking to increase organic traffic. Ideas on this front will likely be the biggest driver of site success.
Why I'm a good cofounder for you:
I'm a business guy. I need a tech guy. But I'm not just a bum business guy. I've gone through Zed Shaw's Learn Python the Hard Way and Python Osmosis. I'm still not any good, but I really want to get to the point where I can contribute code as well. I will work hard to deliver as a business cofounder, while also learning the tech side.
I hustle. Hard. I went out and talked to hundreds of spas to get partnerships with them, I know the industry problems inside and out, and I have good connections with the businesses we work with. Further, I have managed contractors to build the site, to do some PR and marketing work, and to reach the spas. I raised money to finance the building of the site. I have a letter of intent for further investment once we hit higher revenue targets...access to more money.
What I'm looking for:
- Django and Python fluent
- SEO background
- Execute online marketing and email campaigns
- Grow our consumer side
- Location: Chicago preferred, but we can work it out with other locations
I'm not looking for a code monkey. I'm looking for a partner. I have a strong bias towards a local Chicago developer. Location, ultimately, isn't important because I will move to your city for the first couple of months to really get this thing going in the right direction. Working in the same room is very important to me.
Also, to be clear: I am NOT looking for someone who has a full-time job / freelance gigs, and wants to spend 10 hours a week on this with me as a cofounder. I'm fully committed to this and I want someone who is able to fully commit to it as well.
Why is this a great opportunity?:
- I am offering 1/3 equity in the company (terms to be discussed)
- The site is built, operational, and producing revenue
- A chance to take a project and help mold it into a success
- Proven to obtain funding and if necessary will secure more funding
Interested in talking more?? Contact me at andrew.dennis@spaciety.com and let's get the dialogue started.
- adlep 16y agoGood luck. I am in the same situation. I had a promising lead coming out of my submission (http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2320490 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2320490), but it did not work out due to conflict of schedules. I hope that you will be able to find someone. Best of luck.
- adennis4 16y agoThanks. Yeah, we originally had somewhat of a technical cofounder who did great work for us. He, ultimately, had a lot of other stuff on his plate...so it didn't work out. It's a lot harder to move forward than I thought without one.
- adlep 16y agoSomeone good will always be in high demand. Edit: How about going to campuses around Chicago and posting an add for a co founder? There may be a Zukenburg type of a kid out there waiting for his potential to be discovered? Also, they may be willing to devote a lot of time to the project. Just have them sign an NDA...:P
- bmelton 16y agoDepending on your take on the situation, I'm thinking Zuckerberg is likely the last person you want as a co-founder.
- technotony 16y agoI don't know, both the Winklebros twins and Saverin seemed to have done quite well (financially) out of 'co-founding' with Zuckerberg
- craigkerstiens 16y agoSounds like you've made some great steps already. A technical co-founder could really take you to the next level. I would however not rule out working with them part time before, as jumping head on in with a new technical cofounder is a bit like getting married after a first date. There should be a bit more of an exhaustive process gone through, which will payoff much better in the long run for you.