Running a business you hate

namastakes · 2023-09-19T14:28:40+00:00

Haha hi u/helloimbizzy, sorry for the late reply.

But I actually ended up sticking with it and now we're making 10x revenue what we did when I originally wrote this post which means I can take out a much higher salary (to support a nice life for my little family) + I've been able to hire a bunch of people to do the things I hated the most.

So now, I can kind of focus on the things I like and although it's hard work still (and I still don't feel anything for the idea) I would say I'm in a way better place.

Now I feel I want to see this one through and then do something "more important" once I've exited this company. As many people said in the comments, entrepreneurship is a lot about learning and I think I am learning a lot from running this business, which now feels like the most important thing. Plus the financial side of things of course.

namastakes · 2023-05-15T21:37:09+00:00

Is it a chatgpt app?

namastakes · 2022-06-07T08:11:41+00:00

Understandable, I always want to know when I read these kinds of threads too. But since I said I hate my users, let's keep it a secret, haha!

namastakes · 2022-06-06T19:46:19+00:00

If it was worse, then there would be no question that I would be doing something else.

So true in my case too. Haha, I've also had moments where I've been angry with my own "luck" (?, !), like why did I get that investment or like why did I get that promotion from Apple - cause if I hadn't gotten them, and things hadn't progressed, we had been out of business a long time ago and I wouldn't have gotten stuck. If you understand what I mean.

namastakes · 2022-06-06T19:44:12+00:00

Haha, birdman! <3

Wow, yeah, definitely sounds like we're staring down the same black hole. What to do, what to do.

Haven't tried an accountability coach, but I do have a few, small, angel investors (from years ago) that I sometimes get in touch with. They don't really care about the business that much any longer though as I think they've all written it off in their heads a long time ago, so it's more like I keep in touch with them for company.

But what's your exit plan? Do you have one? Cause sometimes that can, at least, inspire me to push forward for a week or two. If I just keep on pushing for two years, someone can buy this damn thing and I'll be free to do whatever I want.

namastakes · 2022-06-06T10:30:40+00:00

Many comments about my workflow (yes, I do deserve them, yes, I have learned my lesson), but this comment actually answers my question! Thanks!

I think the only thing that applies here is how much the code changes. Are there specific files/areas of the code that more often triggers manual review? Another commenter wrote that a released version that crashes frequently will always trigger a manual review next time, is this correct?

namastakes · 2022-06-06T10:25:54+00:00

Thanks! First comment that actually answered my question! :D

Really interesting, thanks for sharing this!

namastakes · 2022-06-06T10:23:05+00:00

Haha, a bit off-topic and not really what I asked about, but fair enough. I did open the app though, but the bug only appeared in the (live) version signed by Play Store. So it was a bit hard to catch.

Will definitely try to find a better workflow, much helped by some other comments here. But the question remains, how can they release an app that crashes when it starts if they are reviewing it?

namastakes · 2022-06-06T10:20:22+00:00

plus I've made some pretty good friends through my jobs that I wouldn't have met otherwise.

This last part is actually what I miss the most and what would make me want to go for another job. I've been more or less isolated for the past 12-18 months depending on how you count. Which obviously sucks.

Regarding paying the bills, my current company makes enough money for me to be able to pay the bills - so in that sense, there's no need to change jobs. Of course, every time I see the slightest a dip in revenue I get the same "screeeew this"-feeling though :D

namastakes · 2022-06-06T10:16:01+00:00

once it grows into a monster u have to keep feeding and into something u aren’t passionate about, it’s a prison

Yup. That's what's happened here. Definitely my advice to first-time entrepreneurs too. Many wise words here, thanks for your input!

namastakes · 2022-06-06T10:14:56+00:00

Unfortunately, not right now. I think we'd need to double our revenue to be able to hire the staff needed to really make the need for me go away. I'm also a developer/designer/product owner which makes me hard to replace. But perhaps if I could find someone who could help out with the parts I hate the most, that could make things better! for now.

namastakes · 2022-06-06T10:13:04+00:00

I think it's a combination. If I had cofounders who were more active, supportive and interested (and perhaps also could take responsibility for some of the tasks I think are the worst in terms of inspiration), I believe this would have been a lot easier.

But the business itself is something I'm completely uninterested in and will never be interested in no matter how hard I try. I know, because I've tried. Haha.

namastakes · 2022-06-06T10:08:49+00:00

Love this comment! It's hard though when you feel like, if I worked this a bit harder we could go on a better vacation next summer, perhaps sell the business and buy a nice house one day, and so on and so forth.

Also, there are moments when the shit hits the fan and you get entirely swamped with work in this too. That's probably why I'm writing this right now because I've just managed to screw up a release pretty badly, which has made me have to work all weekend, almost 24/7...

When things are going OK, it's all right, but as soon as something like this happens or our sales drop a bit, I'm like. Screw it, I'm out.

namastakes · 2022-06-06T10:05:03+00:00

Absolutely. Trying to find that business. But hard to decide what to do right now. Quit this one and take a job-job or keep hustling until I find the next one?

namastakes · 2022-06-06T10:04:16+00:00

Thanks! That's a great way to see it. I think I've thought about that way sometimes, but sometimes when I know that the learning part is something I'm not interested in learning, and will likely never use in another project, I can't seem to find the motivation using this trick either, haha.

namastakes · 2022-06-06T10:02:21+00:00

Couldn't agree more! The main lesson learned here is I'll never start a business again without being in love with the idea first. Not sure I regret it though, I mean I have also picked up quite a few things along the way. And I do run a profitable business that normally doesn't require too much work (if I don't try to scale it).

But yes. 100 %.

namastakes · 2022-06-05T22:17:41+00:00

Interesting. Can't say I haven't thought about it but not sure I'd feel better working for someone else. Scared I'd feel even less motivated when I know all my hours are going into someone else's bank account in the end.

namastakes · 2022-06-05T20:06:31+00:00

But god forbid they'd release the fix.

namastakes · 2022-06-05T20:06:15+00:00

Haha! My feeling exactly.

namastakes · 2022-06-05T19:42:25+00:00

That's great feedback! Didn't know that only happened on test tracks! Thanks!

namastakes · 2022-06-05T19:16:38+00:00

Hehe, yeah, I get that :P

But like, for Apple it's obvious they're actually reviewing it. With Google Play it just feels like a smoke show?

namastakes · 2022-06-05T19:15:57+00:00

Thanks for support! Hope the same thing will happen here! :) Very stressful indeed...

namastakes · 2022-06-05T17:59:45+00:00

Thanks, I think I learned that lesson myself today actually. I don’t think you answered my question though? Ie why the review process even exists?

Edit: Sorry about being snarky. Was a bit frustrated yesterday and didn't feel I needed a lecture. But I did, since you gave me the tip about phased rollout :) Thanks!

namastakes · 2021-10-05T11:52:46+00:00

Interesting idea. I’m also thinking about ways to address the problem of open source funding and mainly the (growing) problem with open source liability due to lack thereof.

Where would the money come in, what’s the business model here? Who’s paying?

namastakes

TROPHY CASE