3 ms·

This is just the start of a long emotional roller coaster. Once you come on board full time you (and/or your wife) may find the uncertainty associated with inc

This is just the start of a long emotional roller coaster. Once you come on board full time you (and/or your wife) may find the uncertainty associated with income from a startup equally taxing. I do not say this to be discouraging but to get you to consider getting your financial affairs in order before coming on board full time (e.g. you may not be able to get any additional credit for several years once you are dependent on a new startup for income). Anything you can do to lower your burn rate without compromising your obligations to your family is probably a good idea today. I think you would be much better served to continue part time and close enough business that you feel comfortable making the transition.

lloydarmbrust 17y ago
You must know my wife. Our current clients have proven to be reliable. Once we launch them they directly profit from our product by adding about 5%-8% to their bottom line (our customers are newspapers, BTW). It's unlikely that they will pull out unless they close, and our current customer are all smaller newspapers which make this less likely. Do you think it would serve us better to wait until we have the revenue to support me? What experiences bring you to this conclusion?
- skmurphy 17y ago
  You are in an uncomfortable but probably sustainable position bootstrapping the business by "working two jobs." If you raise a small amount of money that doesn't allow you to "bridge the gap" (i.e. replace your salary for long enough to allow you to become sustainable) you now face some very hard choices. This is a recurring topic of discussion at the bootstrapper breakfasts (http://www.bootstrapperbreakfasts.com http://www.bootstrapperbreakfasts.com). We have seen folks do better bootstrapping by "working two jobs" (or consulting and building a product). If you come on board "full time" can you consult on projects with newspapers to replace your current income? That might be an alternative that would allow you to align all of your work efforts more closely than two unrelated jobs.

lloydarmbrust 17y ago

You must know my wife. Our current clients have proven to be reliable. Once we launch them they directly profit from our product by adding about 5%-8% to their bottom line (our customers are newspapers, BTW). It's unlikely that they will pull out unless they close, and our current customer are all smaller newspapers which make this less likely. Do you think it would serve us better to wait until we have the revenue to support me? What experiences bring you to this conclusion?

skmurphy 17y ago
You are in an uncomfortable but probably sustainable position bootstrapping the business by "working two jobs." If you raise a small amount of money that doesn't allow you to "bridge the gap" (i.e. replace your salary for long enough to allow you to become sustainable) you now face some very hard choices. This is a recurring topic of discussion at the bootstrapper breakfasts (http://www.bootstrapperbreakfasts.com http://www.bootstrapperbreakfasts.com). We have seen folks do better bootstrapping by "working two jobs" (or consulting and building a product). If you come on board "full time" can you consult on projects with newspapers to replace your current income? That might be an alternative that would allow you to align all of your work efforts more closely than two unrelated jobs.