Surprised by My Startup
Six weeks after starting a company, school is in session.
Adapted from a Facebook Status Update.
Lesson #1: Cash is King.
Or, I really will do just about anything to save money.
I was prepared, I thought, to be a starving founder. My early career was in the arts, and in my early childhood my family was on government support. We moved solidly into the working class later in my teen years, but I’ve always been unafraid of working hard and living on little. Sure I’ve enjoyed the fruits of hard work, but doing without (relatively) wasn’t too intimidating.
Vendorsi was born in my recliner in my living room, but it’s learning to walk at the main branch of the San Francisco Public Library. Here, amidst junkies sleeping, the often odiferous homeless talking to themselves, the perverts watching porn on free wi-fi, and those just striving to learn and grow, I go each day with my bag lunch to work. The bathroom, which I try to limit trips to, is an adventure in itself,which you can read about in the Yelp reviews. When I eat lunch outside I get to talk to all kinds of interesting people I’d never meet otherwise at “Tech Mixers.”
But despite all of that, I feel safe here. My parents used to let me spend hours in my local library. I love its peace and quiet, the freedom from alternative rock, the tall windows letting in light. I’ve learned the best spots for rock solid wifi, light, and quiet. There are study rooms for small teams of 2-3 that can be reserved for meetings. And it’s FREE. And I can walk to it from my apartment. No commute cost!
Working in the public library instead of an insular co working space or cushy office is also a reminder that I am privileged to have this opportunity to try my hand at entrepreneurship. I have had opportunities and luck that many others haven't and won't ever have. I have a responsibility to use that time and any money I receive from it wisely. I decided to make a gift to the Library when Vendorsi make it.
Inside tip: never leave anything unattended, but it’s ok to nibble politely on lunch while you work.
Lesson #2: Have a Plan B
Or, Shit Will Happen. Count on it.
I’m using the early, more unstructured time of my company to get myself into a good routine and drop some excess pounds with food and exercise; my home made, creative, carefully portioned and managed lunch is a point of pride.
After working for several hours, I strolled outside in the beautiful day, ready to eat my reward for doing some QuickBooks and legal administrivia. I took the picture above with my new iPhone 5S, my new toy after 3 years on the iPhone 4.
And then the wind took part of my lunch.
NOOOOOOOOO! I yelled to no one in particular. One passer by thought I was part of the homeless group that regularly lunches outside the library, given the look she gave me as she looked up from her cell phone.
As I watched my carefully prepared lunch sail under a car on Larkin Street, I knew I would never catch it, so I let it go. I had lots of other food in my bag already. And given the homeless around me, I knew it was in poor taste to feel bad about it, too.
The upside was, that without thinking about it, I’d internalized the mantra of always, always having a back up plan. I assume everything will fail, will fall to shit. I assume people will flake. I try not to share that cynicism all the time, but to also never let myself be surprised by the fail. Knowing I was learning this made me happy. It’s a hard lesson to learn, because the other side of founding a company is the relentless optimism required to even start.
Inside tip: there’s a cafe with wifi in the library. eat there on windy days.
Lesson #3: People will surprise you.
Or, how I learned to stop worrying (much) and trust people more.
I can tell you about what coffee shops in a 1 mile radius are best for any kind of meeting. Getting to know my neighborhood beyond just commuting to work is also wonderful. I know the names of the baristas and food vendors at my favorite places; I’ve run into them on the street. It makes this part of town feel like home. I tell them I’m starting a company, they’ve been so receptive and supportive and I’ve never been asked to leave a place where I was working. And I tip. Don’t be a douche and stiff these people, please.
But the trust issues go deeper. Selecting a co founder has truly been like getting married. It takes an enormous leap off a diving board to start a business with someone. You have to let go and trust them to do what they said they will do. But always have vesting and buy back provisions.
When I announced I was starting a company, just in my networks, I was moved to tears at the generosity of friends and former coworkers. One offered help with our early design needs. One stepped in to help me select a technical co founder when my dear friend and advisor passed away. One person loaned his sterling reputation to the list of advisors without expectation of payment. Many others offered space to work, advice, deep thinking, introductions, and a listening ear. There really is much good in Silicon Valley if you work hard to find it, earn it, and keep it. Life is long and the Valley is small. Never forget that.
I was prepared to start a company, or so I thought. Money in the bank. A lot of experience at various startups and big tech. Good connections. A place to live if I lost it all. A loving partner who carries more than his fair share of the burden.
I was and am prepared to do anything to help my company succeed. Sweep floors, pay bills, clean the bathroom, beg for money, beg for customers, beg for employees, design websites, you name it.
But founding a company is like going into battle: you never know how you’ll handle it until you do. Surprise, wonder, worry, and abject fear, sometimes all at once, are my constant companions. But there is nothing else I’d rather be doing.
There will no doubt be infinitely more lessons to learn. Til then, you can find me at the Public Library.
