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Ask HN: What if there was a software for 'starting a business“
Been playing around with this idea and would love to have feedback/thoughts from the community.
There is Word for writing text. There is powerpoint for creating a presentation. There is Photoshop for making graphics. What if there was an App for Starting a business?
How would it work?
You'd fill in an idea, the app would take you through steps to validate, build, market your business. And if the idea doesn't make you money, you can simply start over again and select 'Launch New Business'.
It's not an app that does the work for you. It just motivates/inspires you + provides daily micro challenges to take you one step further.
Problem of writing a business plan = You write it and thats it. You have to motivate yourself to stick to the plan and go for it.
This app will challenge you everyday to get one step further.
Is this something you would use? Pay for even?
- jussij 12y ago> What if there was an App for Starting a business? Wow. What a great idea. You download a $1.00 app and before you know it you have a billion dollar company. Love it!!!
- jibly 12y agohehe, well it won't do the work for you. But guide you through each phase. Idea phase > validation phase > how to build it phase > how to grow phase > etc. The same way Photoshop doesn't design the graphics for you, just provides you the tools and makes it as easy as possible.
- hackerjam 12y agomy sentiments exactly. however there is a legacy app that's been floating around for a few years... some use it, most don't. it's called a business plan.
- jibly 12y agoa business plan is one of those 'feel good for a moment' things. A business plan doesn't send you daily reminders and challenges of 'what to do now'
- sebg 12y agoIt sounds like what you are describing is a "guide". Which, rather than an app, could start out as a "information production". That might be interesting and valuable if you've done it before and can do it. Even a blog post linking to other people's posts on each of those steps would be valuable.
- jibly 12y agoTrue yeah. Thing is I've consulted on this topic, but the problem is that people get very inspired by reading an ebook or what ever on this topic. But what they really want is actionable daily challenges. Like 'Do X today' If you fail, go back to step 2. So software in this case is the only minimum option I think. But evolving the idea right now
- sebg 12y agoSo you can make an info product that is an app? You can make it "email first" (as some people are calling it these days). Basically email me the steps for today, and if I do them email you back "okay", then you can send me the next step tomorrow. If I don't email you, or email you "help please", then you can send me further instructions or provide more details.
- jibly 12y agogreat idea!
- crispy2000 12y agoBack in the day, I tried a program called something like Biz Plan Writer. It helped to organize ideas around the new business (e.g. revenue projections) and put together a business plan which could be presented to potential investors. It left the validation and marketing to the humans, though.
- jibly 12y agoWhat if Biz Plan would have given you daily challenges to kickstart your business and make money (or to quickly find that it doesn't work and you need to pivot)