Confessions (page 7) — Startups Anonymous

Confessions·Feb 10, 20157

I have no idea what to do next. Great product? Yes. Big market? Yes (116M)Strong team? YesBut now what? No idea how to seek money. Send a pitch email and never get a response? Probably. So why bother? Move to San Fran? Not an option.

Confessions·Feb 9, 20155

My marriage fell apart at the same time that I started my business. I have been in a lot of therapy since for my own childhood trauma and its been painful and hard to concentrate on work. My startup has grown but I feel guilty about my lack of focus

Confessions·Feb 5, 201510

When I’m at my lowest point, I still manage to inspire others … this sucks. People rarely help because they think everything is ok just because I’m a good person. Maybe I should just walk around telling people F”@& you, pay me.

Confessions·Jan 31, 20153

The old Valleywag under Owen Thomas was snarky and I loved it. The new one is rightous and it sucks.

Confessions·Jan 30, 201513

It is shocking to me how the game is played between entrepreneur and investors. I was so wrong about how it all works. It is a literal game of bullshit being exchanged over a common framework.

Confessions·Jan 29, 20157

I am very insecure of where my business is headed. The prospect is great and all, but I feel I need more customers. Sucks feeling insecure all the time and have to “window-dress” my situation even to my closest of friends.

Confessions·Jan 27, 201510

I (a German) programmed a Facebook-Like App in 1996 with PHP. It was a working mock up with Community Building Features, Geo Localization (in 1996!) and community-based filtering and micro budget banner advertising. And NO VC did understood it. Sucks

Confessions·Jan 27, 20153

The founding team is making decisions on business strategy/model based on seeing what competitors are doing in the market … Does that make sense? It feels like a Me-too business…

Confessions·Jan 25, 201513

Sometimes, I honestly feel that my boss is not fit as CEO of his own Startup. I do not completely support some of his ideas and I feel very strongly that the company will eventually crash if he continues to be that way

Confessions·Jan 18, 20153

I have been on this journey for so long on my own. It’s a long, lonely road. I’d move to an entrepreneur’s kibbutz if there were one..

Confessions·Jan 15, 201511

I love what I do, it’s meaningful and I don’t do it for the money. The problem? I’m running out of money. In the red for 3 years and I’ve officially depleted all my savings. Biz is growing but not as fast as I hope to… or am I just delusional?

Confessions·Jan 14, 20157

I run a successful company but I often feel that my colleagues wonder how the hell I accomplish this. Sadly, I sometimes wonder if they are right. I worry that I “made it” because I was propped up for being female.

Confessions·Jan 10, 20157

I’m afraid that I’m why our startup may fail. I’m the CEO and have a talented team who are looking to me for direction. At times, I fear I’ll choose the wrong strategy, so sometimes defer to the collective, rather than driving. Thoughts?

Confessions·Jan 2, 20158

People call me nerd. I left everything for my startup. I earn less than my previous salary but I’m fucking happy and satisfied with what I’ve achieved. People still can’t understand how can I be happy with my life. I walk in my office as fucking king.

Confessions·Dec 31, 201413

I think the biggest trouble for startup is the power struggle between co-founders. Have seen a startup fail before due to this. That’s why I run a one man show – employees, not co-founders.

Confessions·Dec 31, 20144

Most of my customers are idiots and I’d rather ignore them. But, I want that recommendation, and payment, so badly.

Confessions·Dec 29, 20147

I always want to learn new things and once I am used to it, I get bored and start hunting for the next new thing to learn. I am unable to take off any of my ideas to next level because of this.

Confessions·Dec 29, 20143

I’m a woman and I don’t think my gender matters when it comes to running a company, partly because my Dad was a misogynist and pushed me to be like “a man”.

Confessions·Dec 22, 20149

I’m tired of hearing advice from people as to what I should do or should have done. Opinions are like assholes– everyone has them and most of them stink.

Confessions·Dec 22, 201411

My day job has no idea I’m running a $35k MRR side biz / dev shop. And I’m non-technical. Quit or stay?

Confessions·Dec 18, 201411

My startup idea is stupid. “It is a feature, not a product.” Any decent 2nd CS student could have made a MVP in 2 days. No one has done it only because tech community doesn’t see this pressing issue in my industry. I am depressed by this thought.

Confessions·Dec 18, 201423

If you are a tech type that thinks business types are a dime a dozen, you are grossly misinformed and good luck spinning out failure after failure. It takes both – never forget that!

Confessions·Dec 17, 201411

Whenever I’m stressed out about my life or feel that my relationships are being strained due to my start-up, I just remember one thing: You are doing something most people don’t want to so you can live your future in ways most people won’t be able to

Confessions·Dec 15, 201416

I didn’t go to the “right” schools or worked at the right companies. Not because I am not smart but because I didn’t have the right opportunities. I am also a woman constantly dealing with people underestimating me.

Confessions·Dec 11, 201410

The company I work for just launched a redesign of their site and removed any mention of the (admittedly struggling) product I work on. They also didn’t put up the bio and picture they asked me for two months ago. Killed my drive.

Confessions·Dec 8, 20148

Sold startup for a small amount. Fortune 500 emailed me a few days later requesting a meeting regarding acquisition. Forwarded it to the new owner & went back to my job hunt. FML.

Confessions·Dec 8, 201429

Have worked for 4 startups that all crashed and burned for unrelated reasons not having to do with me. I now consult for cash only, and I can’t imagine working as an employee again. I’m happier and richer. Am I alone?

Confessions·Dec 6, 201423

No family, no real friends. A CEO of a multi-million dollar company said I should get married… Been too hurt to even open that can of worms and dating is impossible because I intimidate most men I’m attracted to or they aren’t ready.

Confessions·Dec 4, 201410

My technical co founder was a former coworker. I had to fire him because he was lazy and incompetent in numerous ways. We move in the same tech circles. Is there any way to let others know to avoid him that won’t make me look bad or get me sued?

Confessions·Dec 3, 20147

Confessions

I have no idea what to do next. Great product? Yes. Big market? Yes (116M)Strong team? YesBut now what? No idea how to seek money. Send a pitch email and never get a response? Probably. So why bother? Move to San Fran? Not an option.

My marriage fell apart at the same time that I started my business. I have been in a lot of therapy since for my own childhood trauma and its been painful and hard to concentrate on work. My startup has grown but I feel guilty about my lack of focus

When I’m at my lowest point, I still manage to inspire others … this sucks. People rarely help because they think everything is ok just because I’m a good person. Maybe I should just walk around telling people F”@& you, pay me.

The old Valleywag under Owen Thomas was snarky and I loved it. The new one is rightous and it sucks.

It is shocking to me how the game is played between entrepreneur and investors. I was so wrong about how it all works. It is a literal game of bullshit being exchanged over a common framework.

I am very insecure of where my business is headed. The prospect is great and all, but I feel I need more customers. Sucks feeling insecure all the time and have to “window-dress” my situation even to my closest of friends.

I (a German) programmed a Facebook-Like App in 1996 with PHP. It was a working mock up with Community Building Features, Geo Localization (in 1996!) and community-based filtering and micro budget banner advertising. And NO VC did understood it. Sucks

The founding team is making decisions on business strategy/model based on seeing what competitors are doing in the market … Does that make sense? It feels like a Me-too business…

Sometimes, I honestly feel that my boss is not fit as CEO of his own Startup. I do not completely support some of his ideas and I feel very strongly that the company will eventually crash if he continues to be that way

I have been on this journey for so long on my own. It’s a long, lonely road. I’d move to an entrepreneur’s kibbutz if there were one..

I love what I do, it’s meaningful and I don’t do it for the money. The problem? I’m running out of money. In the red for 3 years and I’ve officially depleted all my savings. Biz is growing but not as fast as I hope to… or am I just delusional?

I run a successful company but I often feel that my colleagues wonder how the hell I accomplish this. Sadly, I sometimes wonder if they are right. I worry that I “made it” because I was propped up for being female.

I’m afraid that I’m why our startup may fail. I’m the CEO and have a talented team who are looking to me for direction. At times, I fear I’ll choose the wrong strategy, so sometimes defer to the collective, rather than driving. Thoughts?

People call me nerd. I left everything for my startup. I earn less than my previous salary but I’m fucking happy and satisfied with what I’ve achieved. People still can’t understand how can I be happy with my life. I walk in my office as fucking king.

I think the biggest trouble for startup is the power struggle between co-founders. Have seen a startup fail before due to this. That’s why I run a one man show – employees, not co-founders.

Most of my customers are idiots and I’d rather ignore them. But, I want that recommendation, and payment, so badly.

I always want to learn new things and once I am used to it, I get bored and start hunting for the next new thing to learn. I am unable to take off any of my ideas to next level because of this.

I’m a woman and I don’t think my gender matters when it comes to running a company, partly because my Dad was a misogynist and pushed me to be like “a man”.

I’m tired of hearing advice from people as to what I should do or should have done. Opinions are like assholes– everyone has them and most of them stink.

My day job has no idea I’m running a $35k MRR side biz / dev shop. And I’m non-technical. Quit or stay?

My startup idea is stupid. “It is a feature, not a product.” Any decent 2nd CS student could have made a MVP in 2 days. No one has done it only because tech community doesn’t see this pressing issue in my industry. I am depressed by this thought.

If you are a tech type that thinks business types are a dime a dozen, you are grossly misinformed and good luck spinning out failure after failure. It takes both – never forget that!

Whenever I’m stressed out about my life or feel that my relationships are being strained due to my start-up, I just remember one thing: You are doing something most people don’t want to so you can live your future in ways most people won’t be able to

I didn’t go to the “right” schools or worked at the right companies. Not because I am not smart but because I didn’t have the right opportunities. I am also a woman constantly dealing with people underestimating me.

The company I work for just launched a redesign of their site and removed any mention of the (admittedly struggling) product I work on. They also didn’t put up the bio and picture they asked me for two months ago. Killed my drive.

Sold startup for a small amount. Fortune 500 emailed me a few days later requesting a meeting regarding acquisition. Forwarded it to the new owner & went back to my job hunt. FML.

Have worked for 4 startups that all crashed and burned for unrelated reasons not having to do with me. I now consult for cash only, and I can’t imagine working as an employee again. I’m happier and richer. Am I alone?

No family, no real friends. A CEO of a multi-million dollar company said I should get married… Been too hurt to even open that can of worms and dating is impossible because I intimidate most men I’m attracted to or they aren’t ready.

My technical co founder was a former coworker. I had to fire him because he was lazy and incompetent in numerous ways. We move in the same tech circles. Is there any way to let others know to avoid him that won’t make me look bad or get me sued?

I’ve got a fire in me that grows every day. People around me can only fan the flames.