leslyn

I can only share our experience: Friends and family were concerned about hurting our feelings and/or encourage us blindly. The tech community was almost evenly split between go forward and stop now. The users have been the ones to offer constructive comments about what they want and when they get it ... they tell their friends.

My technical co-founder is also remote. I'm not sure if I got really lucky or if it is our maturity but we have had a brilliant year of working together. (Cincinnati - Philly) I think it helps that I defer all of the technical to him and he the rest of the business to me so we each have our areas of expertise. However, there is a time in my future when one of us travels three days a week so that we can work at least in office proximity. We've utilized every piece of technology available to us and have had some monster long telephone calls into the night when there were flaws that we had to work through.

I suspect it is not the best way to work but with really good communication skills and trust in one another's expertise, it will work fine.

1. We incorporated 11 mos ago 2. Went live in Nov and have spent a total about $3300 so far (over half on SU impressions) 3. Not profitable - still playing around with trying to figure out a revenue model that will actually work! Not sure about a cutoff... Originally committed $10K in my head

Mike, thanks for spending so much time on the site looking around. I agree that perhaps it was a problem to fit it in because it would be a problem to fit it in!! (Staring us in the face)I'll assume you'd like that test account deleted?(!) If you saw anything else that needs immediate attention - we're always open for that kind of feedback. Thanks!

Just want to add that we received some really valuable feedback from Helen in Dec and it helped us take our site to the next level! Her comments were not only helpful but on target and extremely constructive! If you are getting feedback - take it to heart and if not - you should!

Sure, the question is still valid. How much have you spent, or are you willing to spend to get you to the point that an investor will be interested in talking to you? (assuming that the profits are not funding the growth that an investor will be interested in)

I just wanted to add (I know you didn't ask) but I agree that the white text in the bright yellow is hard to read. I think the suggestion to make that bigger and more prominent will be helpful!

Nalidxic: I really like the simplicity and design of your site - it is really inviting! How have you advertised this?

Thanks. I did mean above and beyond living costs; expenses such as hosting, legal, advertising, etc. Next question - how much money AFTER launch will you be committing to your startup and what is the amount (in your mind) that you see yourself spending in order to make it happen?

I will encourage you to think about your day-to-day needs over time; Do you need predictability in your life? Do you need a lot of structure? Do you need lots of guidance? Do you need personal distance from co-workers? Are you a risk taker? And if so - what level of risk are you willing to assume? Will you regret missing the opportunity if your friend is very successful?

I spent 10 years in the Bay Area and now live outside of Philly.... I prefer it here. But, I believe that your 'roots' are where you are surrounded by people that love and support you. I would ask you why you've always wanted to live and work in the Bay Area? What is the attraction? Does it make sense to your other life goals?

Ultimately, I would encourage you to chase your deepest dream while you are 25 - it becomes harder as you get older and create more responsibility.

Just want to say how awesome it is that so many people reached out here with offers of personal contact!! If you still need additional support I am also offering. I am an educated professional counselor and may be able to offer a coaching perspective. My email too, is in my profile.

My immediate advice is to follow the previous advice about eating, sleeping, and activity. In addition, list your strengths (you are willing to take risks, you are educated, you are smart, you have expertise, you are well traveled, etc.....) and focus on them.

I think one of the most difficult aspects of being a founder is attempting to find balance with your life. There is a fine line between driving passion for an idea and 'living' life. Entroyneur's comment here is valuable hindsight - I think many of us put ourselves 'over the edge' because we are so passionate about our projects. I suspect that you have expectations of yourselves and one another that have yet to be discussed. My recommendation would be to sit down and develop a clear understanding of what you 'expect' from him, what you feel you can/are contributing and define how that looks.

I would also encourage you to communicate more with him. Conversations that begin with "I am really frustrated because..." will help you vent your anger constructively without pointing a finger. It may be that you didn't communicate exactly what your expectations were. "I need to know that you are willing to ...." is a good way to let him know what you expect.

Try to define what his needs are and how much time he is willing to dedicate - does it match yours? Put it on paper so that it is visual. Develop a contract of sorts that you both are accountable for.

In the meantime - step back and take a long deep breath. You are not going to 'change' him. Perhaps he has a better understanding of balance than you do at the moment. Understand that this is a trap that many of us fall into when we get excited and passionate. Patience is one of the most difficult lessons that I ..continue.. to learn being a founder.