Hey all,
Almost 6 years have passed since I started my first company. How did it started?...
My friend and I were members of a bigger brass band. Multiple events are hosted yearly by the band but the earnings of selling food and drinks never reached its full potential. We thought thoroughly how the process could be improved and came up with the idea of developing a specific Point of Sales (POS) cash system for clubs like bands etc. After spending a couple of years of endless developing the Android App, we finally could start testing the Software on multiple events. It did work - Hooray!!!. Additionally, we started selling subscriptions in the Android PlayStore to other clubs.
This could've been a happy ending, but unfortunately new financial laws had been introduced in Germany which were too complicated and we ended up removing the App from the Store.
My friend and I parted ways.
A year later, I meet an old friend from school, who turned out to be a Software Engineer too and we talked about my failed business. He got interested and we met multiple times to discuss different ideas for new businesses. We started developing a social media content planer until we got scared of the daily changing Api policies of the bigger companies.
Again, starting from scratch, we looked for new ideas. Unfortunately, I persuaded him to give the POS idea a new try. After doing our research we found already available software solutions to tackle the financial laws (TSE) and started blindly developing the software. This time we wanted to not only have clubs as our customers but also the food service industry.
No marketing research, no customer research, nothing....
After 2 more years of developing, we finally got the Backend to work but we still didn't know how to stand out compared to our competitors.
This was a huge bump on our motivation. My buddy gave up and I was alone with an unfinished product. Again.
Another friend of mine got the news, that I stopped working on the POS system and had time available for an idea he had for a long period of time. He needed a Software Engineer to develop the App. The idea was to create a platform for coaches where they can create and publish their workout for private customers.
I implemented a MVP within the next 6 months and then we started testing the App in a local Crossfit Box, where he was coaching for years. Unfortunately, the feedback wasn't great. Additionally, he got his first child and his focus shifted. Again, I was on my own. This was 3 months ago.
Currently, I'm working for a big US software company, which definitely is a great place to be and I only could acquire the job because of the knowledge I obtained by starting all the different companies. But this isn't enough for me. Sure, I could work there for the next 40 years and then retire, but only the thought is sickening to me.
I'm still motivated to walk the Fastlane instead of the Slowlane. Shout out to @MJ DeMarco, your book really helped with my vanishing motivation and inspired me!
Best,
Dominik
Almost 6 years have passed since I started my first company. How did it started?...
My friend and I were members of a bigger brass band. Multiple events are hosted yearly by the band but the earnings of selling food and drinks never reached its full potential. We thought thoroughly how the process could be improved and came up with the idea of developing a specific Point of Sales (POS) cash system for clubs like bands etc. After spending a couple of years of endless developing the Android App, we finally could start testing the Software on multiple events. It did work - Hooray!!!. Additionally, we started selling subscriptions in the Android PlayStore to other clubs.
This could've been a happy ending, but unfortunately new financial laws had been introduced in Germany which were too complicated and we ended up removing the App from the Store.
My friend and I parted ways.
A year later, I meet an old friend from school, who turned out to be a Software Engineer too and we talked about my failed business. He got interested and we met multiple times to discuss different ideas for new businesses. We started developing a social media content planer until we got scared of the daily changing Api policies of the bigger companies.
Again, starting from scratch, we looked for new ideas. Unfortunately, I persuaded him to give the POS idea a new try. After doing our research we found already available software solutions to tackle the financial laws (TSE) and started blindly developing the software. This time we wanted to not only have clubs as our customers but also the food service industry.
No marketing research, no customer research, nothing....
After 2 more years of developing, we finally got the Backend to work but we still didn't know how to stand out compared to our competitors.
This was a huge bump on our motivation. My buddy gave up and I was alone with an unfinished product. Again.
Another friend of mine got the news, that I stopped working on the POS system and had time available for an idea he had for a long period of time. He needed a Software Engineer to develop the App. The idea was to create a platform for coaches where they can create and publish their workout for private customers.
I implemented a MVP within the next 6 months and then we started testing the App in a local Crossfit Box, where he was coaching for years. Unfortunately, the feedback wasn't great. Additionally, he got his first child and his focus shifted. Again, I was on my own. This was 3 months ago.
Currently, I'm working for a big US software company, which definitely is a great place to be and I only could acquire the job because of the knowledge I obtained by starting all the different companies. But this isn't enough for me. Sure, I could work there for the next 40 years and then retire, but only the thought is sickening to me.
I'm still motivated to walk the Fastlane instead of the Slowlane. Shout out to @MJ DeMarco, your book really helped with my vanishing motivation and inspired me!
Best,
Dominik
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