Creating a startup company
I started my own startup company last year called WooThemes in case you didn’t notice. Before I left my day job to work full-time on Woo, I probably had the same idea that everybody has about startup companies, especially those dot-com-bubble online startup companies. They all seemed like they needed a ton of work and funding to get off the ground.
It was from actually doing stuff on the side from my normal day job, that I realized that it does not take very much effort to get your startup up and going. WooThemes has now grown into a successful business, and we have been approaced by others who are interested in buying us out. It’s tempting to want to sell what I built up in the last year, but I always ask where I would be after I sell. And the answer is that I would be without a business and with some extra cash on my bank account. Now that might sound great for everybody who is in a day job… if somebody offered me a lot of cash to quit my day job, I probably would, but as I’m already doing what I love, it would be pretty stupid to exchange that for some cash, since I’m already making a profit on what I do.
David Hansson from 37Signals, who is behind great services like Basecamp that I use every day, has hit the nail on it’s head in this great presentation about creating a startup company. At the end he answers some questions about working 14 hours a day and getting things done, where he answers that they work 4 day work weeks, at about 8 hours a day where he is probably productive about 3 hours a day. I always though I was being a slacker if I didn’t work productively for 7-8 hours a day, but I think the fact is that you can get more done if you try to focus only a few hours a day on what you are supposed to do. Anyways, watch this presentation and be inspired.
Jun 5, 2009
I saw your tweet about it earlier today and after having watched it I retweeted it.. great presentation which for me comes at the right time. Thanks for sharing it!
Jun 5, 2009
Yeah it came at a great time for me as well… needed some friday inspiration
Thanks for sharing!
Jun 5, 2009
Awesome! Thanks for sharing the video.
Jun 5, 2009
Truly Inspirational.
Jun 6, 2009
Thanks for sharing this brilliant post. I have also left my day before couple of months and in planning phase for my new business.
Jun 8, 2009
Great start up tips here. thanks.
Jun 9, 2009
I enjoyed watching the video. Thanks
Jun 12, 2009
nicee
but maybe not selling out just means the offer has not exceeded it’s min threshold yet.. 
but i am just envious i guess of people doing what they enjoy for a living 
all the best!
Jun 17, 2009
Awesome! Thanks for sharing the video.