Finding a Co-Founder

Ginger Hobo

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Jan 18, 2023
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Hi there. I'm in the very early stages of creating a website and I'm looking for a co founder to work alongside that shares the same passion as me for the project I'm working on. It's in the mental health/self help industry.
Do you guys have any advice on how to find a Co founder? Are there any websites/forums that I should be aware of?
Preferably the candidate would have web design/development/launch skills.

Thanks in advance ?
 

fisicx

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Sep 12, 2006
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There have been many threads on this topic and they all ask the same question: what are you offering the co-founder?

If the co-founder is going to design, develop and launch the site they don’t really need you.

Finding a co-founder means knocking on lots of doors. It means joining every single mental health platform, ground, forum, advice site and asking the question.
 
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Ginger Hobo

Free Member
Jan 18, 2023
75
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UK
There have been many threads on this topic and they all ask the same question: what are you offering the co-founder?

If the co-founder is going to design, develop and launch the site they don’t really need you.

Finding a co-founder means knocking on lots of doors. It means joining every single mental health platform, ground, forum, advice site and asking the question.
Thank you for your input Fisicx ?
 
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DoolallyTap

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  • Jan 20, 2023
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    Go to EKM (or similar) and get a ready made website, quick, easy, cheap, you don't need any special
    Hi there. I'm in the very early stages of creating a website and I'm looking for a co founder to work alongside that shares the same passion as me for the project I'm working on. It's in the mental health/self help industry.
    Do you guys have any advice on how to find a Co founder? Are there any websites/forums that I should be aware of?
    Preferably the candidate would have web design/development/launch skills.

    Thanks in advance ?
    Are you starting a business? Ltd, or Partnership? Are you expecting investment? Have you written a BP, CFF, P/L forecasts? How much research have you completed?
    These are the very first thing to consider.

    When you have got the business model identified then you can think about your website and how to produce it.
    There are quick, inexpensive, easy ways, or you can pay a designer!!!
     
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    Clinton

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    ...a co founder ...that shares the same passion as me for the project I'm working on.


    I've seen this exact request a million times (and twice from you): "I want someone who has the same passion as me for this project"

    It's normal when you've come up with an idea to think the idea is the dog's b0llocks. Nobody else is going to believe in it as much as you do.

    So, no, you're not going to find someone with the "same passion for the project". They don't even know what the project is. If they've got passion for "the project", that means they've already come up with the idea for this project independently.

    What I'm taken aback by is the sheer madness of people creating a shopping list of the qualities they are looking for in a co-founder without stating WTF they're bringing to the party!

    Yes, we know you're bringing your genius and your amazing idea. But what else?

    This co-founder needs to bring web design skills, development skills, marketing skills to launch the website / app and all the other skills to start and build a business.

    What's your contribution? Standing on the sidelines waiting to take profit once the business becomes profitable so you can cash in from the amazing idea (that your co-founder has already had himself anyway)?

    :rolleyes:
     
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    I'd go a step back and ask – Why are you looking for a co-founder?
    • Do you want to share responsibilities?
    • Do you want to save money on development/design?
    • Do you feel you require additional skillsets in the company?
    • Is the idea too big for one person?
    • Etc...
    Draw up a list of things that YOU bring to the table and a list of things that you require the COFOUNDER to have.
     
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    Ginger Hobo

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    I've seen this exact request a million times (and twice from you): "I want someone who has the same passion as me for this project"

    It's normal when you've come up with an idea to think the idea is the dog's b0llocks. Nobody else is going to believe in it as much as you do.

    So, no, you're not going to find someone with the "same passion for the project". They don't even know what the project is. If they've got passion for "the project", that means they've already come up with the idea for this project independently.

    What I'm taken aback by is the sheer madness of people creating a shopping list of the qualities they are looking for in a co-founder without stating WTF they're bringing to the party!

    Yes, we know you're bringing your genius and your amazing idea. But what else?

    This co-founder needs to bring web design skills, development skills, marketing skills to launch the website / app and all the other skills to start and build a business.

    What's your contribution? Standing on the sidelines waiting to take profit once the business becomes profitable so you can cash in from the amazing idea (that your co-founder has already had himself anyway)?

    :rolleyes:
    My gosh you are a miserable man aren't you. And very 'troll' like. Must come with age. Goodbye, and please don't bother responding to any of my future posts, you bring nothing to my table. Good day old chap??
     
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    Ginger Hobo

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    I'd go a step back and ask – Why are you looking for a co-founder?
    • Do you want to share responsibilities?
    • Do you want to save money on development/design?
    • Do you feel you require additional skillsets in the company?
    • Is the idea too big for one person?
    • Etc...
    Draw up a list of things that YOU bring to the table and a list of things that you require the COFOUNDER to have.
    Thank you for your helpful input Uwe, much appreciated ??
     
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    Clinton

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    @Uwe (Invoiceberry) pretty much just expanded on my point. Any potential co-founder reading this thread would be wondering what resources you bring to the table.

    And you still haven't answered the question. You didn't answer it in the OP like you should have done, you didn't answer it when I asked, you didn't answer when Uwe asked.

    I want. I want. I want.

    Gimme, gimme, gimme.

    In the unlikely event a potential co-founder is reading this thread, you've probably scared them away with how you've exposed, in the comments you've made, a lot more than you think about your character and what it would be like working with you.
     
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    The tone? He's plain right rude. Who does he think he is. There's a way to talk to people and he doesn't know how too. Totally lacks people skills.
    @Clinton does not tell us what we want to hear - he tells us what we need to hear. And what we need to hear is often rather difficult to accept.

    I am sure that if I were to tell him what I intend to do and intend to achieve in the near to mid future, he would tell me a few home truths that I would find difficult to swallow. (Not that I don't tell myself those things anyway!)

    One of the hardest truths to accept for anyone is that having an idea, but not having the means to execute that idea and turn it into a business is a worthless asset. For example, it is one thing to have an idea for a movie, but it is a completely different kettle of fish to have a killer script, raise financial pledges and attach actors and crew - then and only then, can you talk to distributors and get the ball rolling. And that can take a few years of hard graft!

    I am one of those people that others come to with business propositions - and they are very much like yours. I could do this for them. I could do that for them. I could do so many things for them. But they fail to tell me what they could do for me and for my company.

    And I tell them pretty much what @Clinton told you - never mind what you want. Here's a list of what I want and need to see.

    When two or more people work together, there must be a symbiotic relationship that benefits all parties equally. If someone works with me, they must do something that generates revenue for my company and also enhances my company in some measurable way by adding contacts, business connections - whatever. That and that alone is the spirit with which one approaches a potential business partner.
     
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    Ginger Hobo

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    @Uwe (Invoiceberry) pretty much just expanded on my point. Any potential co-founder reading this thread would be wondering what resources you bring to the table.

    And you still haven't answered the question. You didn't answer it in the OP like you should have done, you didn't answer it when I asked, you didn't answer when Uwe asked.

    I want. I want. I want.

    Gimme, gimme, gimme.

    In the unlikely event a potential co-founder is reading this thread, you've probably scared them away with how you've exposed, in the comments you've made, a lot more than you think about your character and what it would be like working with you.
    Clinton I feel the exact same way about you. Who would want to be a co founder with someone like you with your rude, abnoxiuos, behavior. You made me laugh in my OP saying you wouldn't want to be a co founder. Thank god for that!
    There's a way to speak to people without being rude and abnoxiuos but unfortunately you don't have the capability to do that. You think you're above everyone else. We'll guess what? You're not.
    I will listen to ANYONES advice but when they come across like you do, which is very rare given most people have people skills, I have no time for that.
    Please..... Stop replying to my posts. I've asked you once already. I really have no time for you. Goodbye.
     
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    Ginger Hobo

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    @Clinton does not tell us what we want to hear - he tells us what we need to hear. And what we need to hear is often rather difficult to accept.

    I am sure that if I were to tell him what I intend to do and intend to achieve in the near to mid future, he would tell me a few home truths that I would find difficult to swallow. (Not that I don't tell myself those things anyway!)

    One of the hardest truths to accept for anyone is that having an idea, but not having the means to execute that idea and turn it into a business is a worthless asset. For example, it is one thing to have an idea for a movie, but it is a completely different kettle of fish to have a killer script, raise financial pledges and attach actors and crew - then and only then, can you talk to distributors and get the ball rolling. And that can take a few years of hard graft!

    I am one of those people that others come to with business propositions - and they are very much like yours. I could do this for them. I could do that for them. I could do so many things for them. But they fail to tell me what they could do for me and for my company.

    And I tell them pretty much what @Clinton told you - never mind what you want. Here's a list of what I want and need to see.

    When two or more people work together, there must be a symbiotic relationship that benefits all parties equally. If someone works with me, they must do something that generates revenue for my company and also enhances my company in some measurable way by adding contacts, business connections - whatever. That and that alone is the spirit with which one approaches a potential business partner.
    I'll keep this short. I have NO issues with hearing the truth, not at all. That's why I'm here. It's his people skills I can't deal with. He's very rude in his replies. He doesn't know how to talk in a decent way. Others that have given me 'truths' and advice have said it in a way that's friendly and helpful, like yourself. . Clinton comes across as the opposite. So yes, I can take truths ALL day long, as long as that person is respectable, which he is not.
    Thanks for the reply by the way, much appreciated ??
     
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    MBE2017

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    I'll keep this short. I have NO issues with hearing the truth, not at all. That's why I'm here. It's his people skills I can't deal with. He's very rude in his replies. He doesn't know how to talk in a decent way.

    Personally I like Clinton’s forthright advice, whether you realise it or not it was good and well intentioned. When you go into business you need to learn how to talk and react to everyone, whether you like them or not.

    Anyway back to the original post, to find a co founder you need to be able to explain what your business idea is, what areas you are happy to deal with and what areas you want them to deal with.

    Many years ago I made the mistake of becoming partners with an old friend, despite realising he brought very little to the table. As the weeks turned into months I started to resent him badly, since I was doing 95% of the work, and in my heart I knew it would not work out. That experience put myself of partnerships for good.

    Take your time, look hard, only do it if it makes sense to do so, not being 100% sure and comm from both partners is a recipe for disaster.
     
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    Ginger Hobo

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    Personally I like Clinton’s forthright advice, whether you realise it or not it was good and well intentioned. When you go into business you need to learn how to talk and react to everyone, whether you like them or not.

    Anyway back to the original post, to find a co founder you need to be able to explain what your business idea is, what areas you are happy to deal with and what areas you want them to deal with.

    Many years ago I made the mistake of becoming partners with an old friend, despite realising he brought very little to the table. As the weeks turned into months I started to resent him badly, since I was doing 95% of the work, and in my heart I knew it would not work out. That experience put myself of partnerships for good.

    Take your time, look hard, only do it if it makes sense to do so, not being 100% sure and comm from both partners is a recipe for disaster.
    Hi MBE2017, thank you for your reply. Firstly, I have no qualms with the advice Clinton is giving me, not at all. Yes it's honest advice and I totally appreciate that. But there's no need to be rude with it. Unlike yourself, who's approached me in a friendly manner. This is something he doesn't do. He belittles me like he's on some sort of pedestal. I don't take to that very well, as most wouldn't.
    If you go back to my first post you will see how he approached me and why I have a problem with that.
    I'm a very easy going person who will take ANY advice given....provided it's given in a respectful manner. This seems to be something he struggles with.

    Anyway, thank you so much for your input and story, I'll take everything you say on board, as I do with all advice I'm given, even Clintons.

    Take care.
     
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    Clinton

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    Anyway, thank you so much for your input and story, I'll take everything you say on board, as I do with all advice I'm given, even Clintons.
    Awesome. Then do two things:

    1. Answer the bloody question everybody is asking you.

    2. Watch this video. I know you (and your mum!) think your idea is 200% genius, But this is what product market fit is really about!
     
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    Ginger Hobo

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    Awesome. Then do two things:

    1. Answer the bloody question everybody is asking you.

    2. Watch this video. I know you (and your mum!) think your idea is 200% genius, But this is what product market fit is really about!
    Clinton, I think we could get along if you did three things:

    1) Get off that god damn pedestal of yours
    2) Speak to me in a respectful manner
    3) Grow up and don't mention my mum.

    Until then, I'll leave things as they are. Good day.
     
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    In completely different issues some time ago, I did approach the persons talking about some business proposals on this very forum and in those two cases, both were very keen to tell me all about their ideas, etc. and how great and simple and easy it was all going to be. We emailed back and forth a few times - but in both cases, when I asked for numbers, both stations ceased transmission - so to speak!

    The issue is that business is a tough old game and those playing it find themselves having to "suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" and have to do so with good grace. And the outrageous fortune is nearly always numbers.

    But in defense of the OP, I always remain polite and courteous. Or at least I try to! Some people really do try the soul - especially when they are touting a business idea that, in the cold light of numbers, wilts and dies "as wilted leaves on the tree of life".

    In a gentler world, we are told that if someone throws a stone at us, we should throw a flower at them. I must admit that I am sometimes sorely tempted to follow that advice - but leave the flower in its flowerpot.

    Or as PG Wodehouse put it "Don't say it with flowers. Say it with flowerpots!"
     
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    In completely different issues some time ago, I did approach the persons talking about some business proposals on this very forum and in those two cases, both were very keen to tell me all about their ideas, etc. and how great and simple and easy it was all going to be. We emailed back and forth a few times - but in both cases, when I asked for numbers, both stations ceased transmission - so to speak!

    The issue is that business is a tough old game and those playing it find themselves having to "suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" and have to do so with good grace. And the outrageous fortune is nearly always numbers.

    But in defense of the OP, I always remain polite and courteous. Or at least I try to! Some people really do try the soul - especially when they are touting a business idea that, in the cold light of numbers, wilts and dies "as wilted leaves on the tree of life".

    In a gentler world, we are told that if someone throws a stone at us, we should throw a flower at them. I must admit that I am sometimes sorely tempted to follow that advice - but leave the flower in its flowerpot.

    Or as PG Wodehouse put it "Don't say it with flowers. Say it with flowerpots!"
    Welcome to my world - until about 6 years ago this was pretty much a daily routine.

    Fit Out Finance is specifically targeted to eliminate the most spurious begging calls, but it does attract a specific type of dreamer.

    Start Up Loans on the other hand is deliberately set up (not by me!) to attract and then filter them.

    Like you, I am always courteous and attentive on the first discussion; I will be forthright with advice and knowledge.

    Then, also like you, I then ask for real, hard information.

    Radio silence is cool. I know that the reason information isn't forthcoming is that it doesn't exist or it is garbage. (Sadly there is a pondlife end of our market which will cheerfully tell them what they want to hear to extract fees before disappearing - These threads will have them rubbing their hands together)

    I do get irritable when either of these happens

    1. They send a lazy, half-baked business plan. Essentially the product/idea description with some sales patter and, at a push, some made up stats. Historically I would respond with some pointers & ideas - they would come back 20 minutes later having changed 4 sentences saying 'is this better?'. I don't respond now.
    2. They keep calling, having sent no info to have the same conversation expecting a different outcome. I believe there is a saying about that.

    There is a saying in our industry 'if you want to become a prospect-millionaire overnight, offer equity finance'.
     
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    fisicx

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    I get loads of requests for help. Usually from microbusinesses who need help setting up their loan scheme. They want me to build them some sort of fancy calculator, then fix the site, then advise on how to attract loan applicants. When I ask what they are contributing or ask how much they plan to pay me it all goes quiet.
     
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    I get loads of requests for help. Usually from microbusinesses who need help setting up their loan scheme. They want me to build them some sort of fancy calculator, then fix the site, then advise on how to attract loan applicants. When I ask what they are contributing or ask how much they plan to pay me it all goes quiet.
    A web designer of my acquaintance received a steady flow of 'JV' suggestions from people who have a vague idea & want him to make it reality

    The one that stood out most was where the 'partner' also expected him to come up with the idea.
     
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    Clinton

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    I know there aren't many topics more interesting than me, nor anybody more handsome, and I'm very flattered, but maybe you guys should stop talking about me and move on! ;)

    I've moved on. I found this highly reputed college teaching people skills. I visited them, but it didn't work out. I told the pratt of a principal that I'm not going to pay them any fecking money to join their p0xy course and that they'd have to pay me instead.

    They didn't accept my application. Weird!
     
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    Ginger Hobo

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    I know there aren't many topics more interesting than me, nor anybody more handsome, and I'm very flattered, but maybe you guys should stop talking about me and move on! ;)

    I've moved on. I found this highly reputed college teaching people skills. I visited them, but it didn't work out. I told the pratt of a principal that I'm not going to pay them any fecking money to join their p0xy course and that they'd have to pay me instead.

    They didn't accept my application. Weird!
    You've moved on, yet you're still here ? That's even weirder ?
     
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    DoolallyTap

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    You did not answer any of these fundamental questions, until you do, your post is quite pointless.
    Are you starting a business? Ltd, or Partnership? Are you expecting investment? Have you written a BP, CFF, P/L forecasts? How much research have you completed?
    These are the very first thing to consider.

    When you have got the business model identified then you can think about your website and how to produce it.
    There are quick, inexpensive, easy ways, or you can pay a designer!!!
     
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