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Yes, I'd certainly recommend a cofounder (a) you already know and (b) who's technically very good. It's an interesting question how bad a cofounder would have

by pg 18y ago

Yes, I'd certainly recommend a cofounder (a) you already know and (b) who's technically very good. It's an interesting question how bad a cofounder would have to be before no cofounder would be better. I think as long as you got along well with someone and they encouraged you to work, they could be pretty middling technically and still be a net win. Merely having someone enthusiastic to bounce ideas off could easily make you 2x more productive than you might be alone.

axod 18y ago
Sure, I think family can provide some of that motivation/sounding board (My wife is bored to death of me talking to her about Mibbit, but she listens, nods, makes comments :) Sometimes it seems helpful just to say ideas out loud). I think though that the 'encouraged you to work' can quickly be fulfilled by your users once things take off. There's nothing more motivating than users emailing with feature requests, or telling you something is broken. For me, the biggest irritation not having a co-founder has been the ups and downs. When I think "this thing sucks! It's stupid it's all wrong it's broken rubbish I should stop it now", there's no other co-founders to balance that out. I'd agree with the 2x more productive being possible. Also very cool if you start to get competitive with each other - "Bet I can get this new feature done by end of the day" etc
- suhail 18y ago
  I know what you mean. I do the same thing with my girlfriend, sometimes you need to just tell someone so you don't blab to the wrong people. Co-founders are nice for a good checks and balances type system, to see if you're new ideas are on some sort of right path.
suhail 18y ago
I always wonder about this. Often is difficult to find someone (even if you know them) who is even remotely as motivated as you are about the product. It's even harder to find someone to take the huge dive too, especially if they aren't as gung-ho about what you're doing as you are. What happens when you find the person, make the deal to bring them on board and their work input/contributions are minimal? What happens when they don't make attempts to help out the way you expected? I think this happens a lot and it's aggravating because it's wasted time and creates a strained relationship. I've found just building it on your own first as a means to prove what you're talking about is more convincing then just talking about it. Most people aren't leaders, they are followers. Most friends I've had aren't as interested or bail during the "idea phase" and then are "ready to help" when I've iterated a few times.
fallentimes 18y ago
> I think as long as you got along well with someone and they encouraged you to work, they could be pretty middling technically and still be a net win. Hi!
DaniFong 18y ago
It probably depends on your personality. It used to help me work to talk to my dog. On the other hand, some of my friends can only work with a closed door.

by pg 18y ago

axod 18y ago

Sure, I think family can provide some of that motivation/sounding board (My wife is bored to death of me talking to her about Mibbit, but she listens, nods, makes comments :) Sometimes it seems helpful just to say ideas out loud). I think though that the 'encouraged you to work' can quickly be fulfilled by your users once things take off. There's nothing more motivating than users emailing with feature requests, or telling you something is broken. For me, the biggest irritation not having a co-founder has been the ups and downs. When I think "this thing sucks! It's stupid it's all wrong it's broken rubbish I should stop it now", there's no other co-founders to balance that out. I'd agree with the 2x more productive being possible. Also very cool if you start to get competitive with each other - "Bet I can get this new feature done by end of the day" etc

suhail 18y ago
I know what you mean. I do the same thing with my girlfriend, sometimes you need to just tell someone so you don't blab to the wrong people. Co-founders are nice for a good checks and balances type system, to see if you're new ideas are on some sort of right path.

suhail 18y ago

I always wonder about this. Often is difficult to find someone (even if you know them) who is even remotely as motivated as you are about the product. It's even harder to find someone to take the huge dive too, especially if they aren't as gung-ho about what you're doing as you are. What happens when you find the person, make the deal to bring them on board and their work input/contributions are minimal? What happens when they don't make attempts to help out the way you expected? I think this happens a lot and it's aggravating because it's wasted time and creates a strained relationship. I've found just building it on your own first as a means to prove what you're talking about is more convincing then just talking about it. Most people aren't leaders, they are followers. Most friends I've had aren't as interested or bail during the "idea phase" and then are "ready to help" when I've iterated a few times.

fallentimes 18y ago

> I think as long as you got along well with someone and they encouraged you to work, they could be pretty middling technically and still be a net win. Hi!

DaniFong 18y ago

It probably depends on your personality. It used to help me work to talk to my dog. On the other hand, some of my friends can only work with a closed door.