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A CPA! Kudos. I know that is not easy, my fiancee just tested for her CPA...but I would hate to see the code she would write : ) This is way before your time

A CPA! Kudos. I know that is not easy, my fiancee just tested for her CPA...but I would hate to see the code she would write : ) This is way before your time, but Kenny Rogers had a lyric, "Got to know when to hold 'em, and know when to fold 'em" which can extrapolate to your perceived need to do everything. You can do everything, or anything, but where do you draw the line? Janitor? QA testing? Chief Bottle Washer? I'd "hold" on running the company, but "fold" on writing the code. If you do decide to "outsource" do you mean offshore? Perhaps Rent-a-coder isn't a bad idea, but just make sure the coder(s) are available after they write the code, have them sign a non-compete, and possibly outsource a second coder to review the code if you are not getting the warm and fuzzies from the first team. Ask for well-documented code including an overview explanation, approach, architectural considerations, and lots of comments. Ask for their best work. Again, I wish you the best and I hope that once you get your prototype up you let us all know so we can kick the tires with you. One last thing: Stop worrying about the tech co-founder and get this project in the bag! Heck, the more you type the less likely a Tech Co-founder is going to want to come on board! Get 'er done!

jaypreneur 15y ago
Thanks Fate. Good luck to your fiancee, I know it's tough. If she needs any advice on the exams, let me know. You are right. I will just have to get it done. At this point, I'll go with outsourcing, which doesn't necessarily mean offshore, but it could. I want quality work. I will have to do my research about it but will look into sites like rent-a-coder, odesk, elance, etc. I'll approach it as you said, I appreciate the help. I still will try to learn to code on a basic level to converse and not be entirely blind to what's going on, but I'm not sure if it's a good choice to try and program when it would take a significant time commitment. I'm not against a time commitment, but by saving that time, it frees me to focus on other areas of the business. ANYWAY! I will stop with the typing. It seems my choice is to stay with my job (although I might leave to find one that is less all-consuming of my time) and outsource the initial development. Obviously it would have been ideal if I already knew how to code or had a good friend who could code and wanted to join me. Unfortunately, neither is the case... and I'm not sure creating the MVP myself is the best proposition. If someone thinks otherwise, let me know though. Perhaps I'm missing something here. Lastly, any advice on outsourcing development would be appreciated. Thanks.
- fate_carver 15y ago
  Just had this pop up on my reader: http://appicurious.com/2011/10/26/inglorious-applications/#.TqiFepud77k http://appicurious.com/2011/10/26/inglorious-applications/#.... Like another poster alluded to, save up some money (keep your job). Interview 5+ developers with entrepreneurial tendencies, pick one, thank the others, hire the one you picked, tier their compensation on milestones. You already founded this, so looking for a co-founder is fairly moot. Hire someone, give them a chance to shine, bring them in as a partner. If trying to force the "tech co-founder" isn't working, try something else. As for outsourcing...I think it is a silly word that means "not committed". You're not committed to them, they are not committed to you...in the end you have your prototype, but know far less about it then if you hired someone, even an intern, and had them walk you through their process and the code...most outsourced help would probably not do that for you. A less risky move is to hire someone on 1099 for the project...you probably know more about those rules than most. If you waste too much time fretting over the details, you'll never get it off the ground. Check your balls, take the leap. You will never be 100% correct (you damned accountant! : ) so take your best shot and learn what you are made of. Post an email link or phone number in your about and I'll give you a call and a swift kick in the ass if you need it.
  - jaypreneur 15y ago
    I appreciate the link. It's good to hear someone say that design is important. I've read similar sentiments here and there, but it's often touted that the code is far more important (especially here, understandably so). I think there definitely must be a balance and hopefully that means my talents are valuable. Anyway, I appreciate the advice about hiring someone. I will have to consider a way to go about doing that, it's tough though... being that I cannot hire/pay someone for too much of an extended period of time. I just don't have that money. However, it is definitely a better route than outsourcing for the reasons you mentioned. I guess I'll just have to see if I can find a way to make it happen, the intern example is a possibility. I'll try not to waste too much time on the details and trying to be 100% correct (lol, you've got me with that one). I'll be making the leap, soon. I have added my email to my "about me" so feel free to shoot me an email and give me a hard time if I'm not getting going! Anyway, thanks again. I truly appreciate the feedback.

jaypreneur 15y ago

Thanks Fate. Good luck to your fiancee, I know it's tough. If she needs any advice on the exams, let me know. You are right. I will just have to get it done. At this point, I'll go with outsourcing, which doesn't necessarily mean offshore, but it could. I want quality work. I will have to do my research about it but will look into sites like rent-a-coder, odesk, elance, etc. I'll approach it as you said, I appreciate the help. I still will try to learn to code on a basic level to converse and not be entirely blind to what's going on, but I'm not sure if it's a good choice to try and program when it would take a significant time commitment. I'm not against a time commitment, but by saving that time, it frees me to focus on other areas of the business. ANYWAY! I will stop with the typing. It seems my choice is to stay with my job (although I might leave to find one that is less all-consuming of my time) and outsource the initial development. Obviously it would have been ideal if I already knew how to code or had a good friend who could code and wanted to join me. Unfortunately, neither is the case... and I'm not sure creating the MVP myself is the best proposition. If someone thinks otherwise, let me know though. Perhaps I'm missing something here. Lastly, any advice on outsourcing development would be appreciated. Thanks.

fate_carver 15y ago
Just had this pop up on my reader: http://appicurious.com/2011/10/26/inglorious-applications/#.TqiFepud77k http://appicurious.com/2011/10/26/inglorious-applications/#.... Like another poster alluded to, save up some money (keep your job). Interview 5+ developers with entrepreneurial tendencies, pick one, thank the others, hire the one you picked, tier their compensation on milestones. You already founded this, so looking for a co-founder is fairly moot. Hire someone, give them a chance to shine, bring them in as a partner. If trying to force the "tech co-founder" isn't working, try something else. As for outsourcing...I think it is a silly word that means "not committed". You're not committed to them, they are not committed to you...in the end you have your prototype, but know far less about it then if you hired someone, even an intern, and had them walk you through their process and the code...most outsourced help would probably not do that for you. A less risky move is to hire someone on 1099 for the project...you probably know more about those rules than most. If you waste too much time fretting over the details, you'll never get it off the ground. Check your balls, take the leap. You will never be 100% correct (you damned accountant! : ) so take your best shot and learn what you are made of. Post an email link or phone number in your about and I'll give you a call and a swift kick in the ass if you need it.
- jaypreneur 15y ago
  I appreciate the link. It's good to hear someone say that design is important. I've read similar sentiments here and there, but it's often touted that the code is far more important (especially here, understandably so). I think there definitely must be a balance and hopefully that means my talents are valuable. Anyway, I appreciate the advice about hiring someone. I will have to consider a way to go about doing that, it's tough though... being that I cannot hire/pay someone for too much of an extended period of time. I just don't have that money. However, it is definitely a better route than outsourcing for the reasons you mentioned. I guess I'll just have to see if I can find a way to make it happen, the intern example is a possibility. I'll try not to waste too much time on the details and trying to be 100% correct (lol, you've got me with that one). I'll be making the leap, soon. I have added my email to my "about me" so feel free to shoot me an email and give me a hard time if I'm not getting going! Anyway, thanks again. I truly appreciate the feedback.