After 1 year working as a part-time solution manager, I am done with long meetings, documents, never-ending testing, tenders, etc. Though I can have a stable income, I don’t feel happy every day. These cheques are toxic. They make me stay in my comfort zone. Easy way or the correct way, I will always choose the correct way no matter how hard it is. So I quit the job and think about what’s next again. The consulting business is really not my cup of tea.
A few days ago, I found that my company website was having a glitch. The website was developed in 2012. It was aging. The google map was showing an error because of the invalid API key. I was thinking whether I should fix it or leave it alone. The website was used to convert sales lead for the consulting business. Now, I don’t take new projects anymore. What’s the reason to spend my time on it?
After a while, I came up with a question.
If I ignore the error, why not just shut down the company?
….Why not let SillyCube die? All companies exist for a reason. Perhaps I should shut down the company to start another one?
There is only one reason coming from my mind.
Because the mission is not finished yet.
The company was founded to change the tech landscape in Hong Kong. We wanted to create a world-class product to make a change. I felt sorry for my ex-partners or ex-colleagues. I could never compensate them for the mistakes I made. I failed to keep my promise. But I can only tell them our passion, our dream is still there. 🔥
Therefore, I got a new API key and fix the fucking glitch. Just because Google wanted to take some money from me.
My Planning
Inspired by Pieter Levels, I will try the 12 startups in 12 months within my 12 – 18 months runway.
My target is very simple. Just make a ramen profitability income level within my runway (~HK$10,000). At that time, I don’t owe anybody anything though I am considered as working poor in Hong Kong. There will be more choices available for me. I can continue bootstrapping or raising funds to construct a company.
I was thinking to reach Product-Market Fit before quitting the job as the solution manager. You’re right. I was trying to play safe. Maybe I was being coward. A few days ago, I met a freelance designer coming back from Singapore. According to my observation, she looked somehow broke. But she still rejected a job offer from a local delivery tech company. The reason was that she didn’t feel passionate about working in the company. Perhaps the company didn’t give her a good offer? I don’t know.
And she was thinking to work on an education project though the customer didn’t have much budget. I was not brave enough to say “Hey, you’re going to lose money! This is not gonna work.”
I truly admired her courage since I didn’t meet courageous people like her for years. In Hong Kong, the dream of everyone is to buy a flat. And that’s it. FULL STOP.
So I also quitted my fucking job 1 week later. Goodbye, Enterprise customers. It’s time to go back to the solo-bootstrapping mode. I may not be the best programmer, designer or sales rep but my maker spirit will lead me to survive. Sometimes, staying naive is the best way to face adversity.
Finally, I sincerely wish your dream come true. 🤓
Surpass the Benny-at-2008
There is only one enemy in my startup journey, i.e. the benny-at-2008. He had no money, no experience, no rich dad, not good at design, programming & business. But he successfully scaled the company to 6.
New ideas, new technology, new concepts all coming. Just fucking build something people wanted! What I need is to stay focused on the present moment.
When I was young, I couldn’t understand why some websites, songs & movies looked so great. What makes a great work? Good talents? Big money? Long time? Western culture?
No, not at all.
After 10 years of work, I realized that design, programming, movie making, illustrations, writing, singing, music or other creative works are all the same. If you can do something with pure love, you can achieve greatness even in the worst situation. 10 years for a good answer. Not bad, huh?
If I could do it 10 years ago, I can also make it 10 years later 💪. Hope the article can be seen 10 years later.
Projects in Progress
- SEO Product Optimizer
- SocialPort.io
- TimeList (Prototyping)
You may say I’m a dreamer. But I’m not the only one
