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This jumped out at me: > With Hipmunk I've been more cognizant about having a life. I work daytime hours, and I don't work quite as a late. But I also know a

This jumped out at me: > With Hipmunk I've been more cognizant about having a life. I work daytime hours, and I don't work quite as a late. But I also know a lot more, so we get more done in less time. This is my experience as well. I don't have the same energy I had even five years ago, but I still get a lot more done because I'm about an order of magnitude more productive than I was when I started out. This suggests that the standard model of founders as young firebrands willing to pour three years of output into a year of development isn't the only model that can work. The bigger challenge for older would-be founders is that it becomes harder to walk away from the steady income and job security that comes from several years working for established employers.

jjm 16y ago
If you have less personal debt or no debt load, nothing should hold you back. I understand kids add to the burn rate. Ever more of a reason to do MVP and start building a team. Don't be greedy, build a big team, plan and delegate. You can MVP with a full-time job, just a couple hours extra, nothing drastic. Easier to do with a team.
acconrad 16y ago
I can't help but wonder if his "having a life" is based on having cashed out with Conde Nast. Not that it's a bad thing (or that he hasn't become more productive, I'm sure he has), but I feel like part of the scrappy frenzy of being young is that you have no money to fall back on...every hour is precious. I just feel like this isn't necessarily transferable advice to a young guy who wants to follow in his footsteps.
- spez 16y ago
  If anything, it's the opposite. The first time around I felt I had nothing to lose, but this time there is a lot more pressure. The main difference is I don't feel I have to force myself to work as much. If I'm going to be sitting in front of a computer but not actually getting much done, I may as well do something else. It's really just an acknowledgment that motivation comes and goes and there's not much to be gained by fighting it. Of course, there is a big difference between procrastinating and being burned out for the day. Everyone is different, of course, that's just me.

jjm 16y ago

If you have less personal debt or no debt load, nothing should hold you back. I understand kids add to the burn rate. Ever more of a reason to do MVP and start building a team. Don't be greedy, build a big team, plan and delegate. You can MVP with a full-time job, just a couple hours extra, nothing drastic. Easier to do with a team.

acconrad 16y ago

I can't help but wonder if his "having a life" is based on having cashed out with Conde Nast. Not that it's a bad thing (or that he hasn't become more productive, I'm sure he has), but I feel like part of the scrappy frenzy of being young is that you have no money to fall back on...every hour is precious. I just feel like this isn't necessarily transferable advice to a young guy who wants to follow in his footsteps.

spez 16y ago
If anything, it's the opposite. The first time around I felt I had nothing to lose, but this time there is a lot more pressure. The main difference is I don't feel I have to force myself to work as much. If I'm going to be sitting in front of a computer but not actually getting much done, I may as well do something else. It's really just an acknowledgment that motivation comes and goes and there's not much to be gained by fighting it. Of course, there is a big difference between procrastinating and being burned out for the day. Everyone is different, of course, that's just me.