Was the decision to be a co-founder a conscious and deliberate one, or were you "driven by fate"? How did you managed then to communicate to the people around you your intention and ideas? Do you think it was a risky decision, or you were walking on safe ground at the time you get to be who you are now?
Great question. I've always been entrepreneurial — from launching projects and side-hustles through middle and high school, to building and selling a business in college. When I moved to NYC, I was part of a small team at Hatch Labs, a mobile app incubator that was part of IAC. I had a super cool role where I was tasked with helping every incubating company with all of their non-technical needs: everything from customer support to business development to partnerships, product development, acquisition, etc.
I loved that job, and my co-workers, and I recognized that I was building a ton of valuable skills... but even though I was only at that company for six months (before it shut down), I always felt a strong itch to take more control and lead my own project. After it folded, I met @ben
and we started working on Texts.com.
In that sense, I've always "felt the drive" and have wanted to lead and co-lead projects.
That said, I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the massive element of privilege that's often present in being an entrepreneur. The fact that I was able to attend quality schools growing up without accumulating personal debt, that I had a family that would support me if all else failed, that I knew people who could invest at the early stages, on and on, has been a major factor.
The ground has been unsteady and chaotic at times, but it's also been a lot "safer" for me personally than it has been for many other entrepreneurs. I try not to forget that, or to ascribe too much pride or self-satisfaction without remembering that massive advantage and privilege that I feel like people don't talk about enough.
"After it folded, I met @ben
and we started working on Texts.com"
How long after Hatch folded-- 6 weeks... 6 months?
Did you meet Ben virtually / online?
How did you & Ben agree to start working on Texts-- was it a project or a side hustle?
Much closer to six weeks. It folded at the end of 2012 and we met in Feb of 2013.
We met on /r/nycjobs
Texts.com was a "real project," in that we were both doing it full-time. At the very start it was more "my" project with Ben helping out as a contractor; but, within a month or two, it became clear we got along well and were ready to commit as real partners.
Was the decision to be a co-founder a conscious and deliberate one, or were you "driven by fate"? How did you managed then to communicate to the people around you your intention and ideas? Do you think it was a risky decision, or you were walking on safe ground at the time you get to be who you are now?
Great question. I've always been entrepreneurial — from launching projects and side-hustles through middle and high school, to building and selling a business in college. When I moved to NYC, I was part of a small team at Hatch Labs, a mobile app incubator that was part of IAC. I had a super cool role where I was tasked with helping every incubating company with all of their non-technical needs: everything from customer support to business development to partnerships, product development, acquisition, etc.
I loved that job, and my co-workers, and I recognized that I was building a ton of valuable skills... but even though I was only at that company for six months (before it shut down), I always felt a strong itch to take more control and lead my own project. After it folded, I met @ben and we started working on Texts.com.
In that sense, I've always "felt the drive" and have wanted to lead and co-lead projects.
That said, I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the massive element of privilege that's often present in being an entrepreneur. The fact that I was able to attend quality schools growing up without accumulating personal debt, that I had a family that would support me if all else failed, that I knew people who could invest at the early stages, on and on, has been a major factor.
The ground has been unsteady and chaotic at times, but it's also been a lot "safer" for me personally than it has been for many other entrepreneurs. I try not to forget that, or to ascribe too much pride or self-satisfaction without remembering that massive advantage and privilege that I feel like people don't talk about enough.
"After it folded, I met @ben and we started working on Texts.com"
How long after Hatch folded-- 6 weeks... 6 months?
Did you meet Ben virtually / online?
How did you & Ben agree to start working on Texts-- was it a project or a side hustle?
Much closer to six weeks. It folded at the end of 2012 and we met in Feb of 2013.
We met on /r/nycjobs
Texts.com was a "real project," in that we were both doing it full-time. At the very start it was more "my" project with Ben helping out as a contractor; but, within a month or two, it became clear we got along well and were ready to commit as real partners.
That's a cool way to begin + cement a relationship. Thanks for the details... very insightful.
Thanks for your answer!!