c/startup-founders

My solo startup phase taught me a hard lesson about early hires

I used to think that running a startup alone was the only way to keep full control and save money. When I started my auto shop, I handled every task from fixes to bills all by myself. After a while, I got so tired that I messed up a few easy jobs, which cost me time and trust. I finally brought on one part-time helper to share the load. With that extra hand, I could focus on finding new customers and making the shop better. Now I see that getting help early stops burnout and lets you grow faster. What made you decide to hire your first team member in your startup?

Am I the only one who ignored casual feedback from people outside my industry?

A conversation with a delivery driver about his app frustrations completely shifted how I design for usability...

NOTICED my neighborhood's new bike repair shop is actually a startup incubator in disguise

Virtual brainstorming with my co-founder across oceans reminded me of our first cramped office.

We used to sketch ideas on napkins over late nights, now it's all shared digital whiteboards. The clarity is better, but I sometimes yearn for those messy, energetic beginnings.

After five years navigating startup circles, I'm genuinely baffled by the constant push for hyper-growth at the expense of team well-being.

Turning founder anecdotes into an illustrated guide: need advice on distribution

I've collected over fifty stories and sketched accompanying art. How do you recommend sharing this without coming off as self-promotional?