Ask HN: startups web dev advisor

My startup is pretty close to getting funding, and will be able to afford to hire me full time. I'm the main developer, and we'll have 1-2 more guys full time. I've 5+ years in this, and we're not building anything that is too complex. The other guys all have 100% confidence in my abilities, and don't doubt that I can do the work and manage the other coders as well.

However, my president has said he'd like for me to have a senior level advisor for the coding and architecture. Specifically, he wants a person who has done it all, so I can ask questions if needed.

I've explained that 1) developers generally don't work for free (we've gotten great business advisors like that, but I don't think that's generally how the dev world operates) and 2) between HN, SO, and a few other communities, I've got a ton of resources for questions.

His response: "if Paul Graham were willing to talk architecture with you, would you do it?" Of course I would. But that doesn't seem to be a realistic option.

Do any of you guys have advice on looking for an advisor? The kinds of questions I'd like to chat (with someone who has done this in a startup, successfully) are things like: - what kind of problems were you initially unaware you'd face? (What do you not know, that you're unaware you don't know?) - what are some tips for managing a small in-house team and a larger external outsourced team?

Thanks for any advice you guys have. I know (and importantly, my team knows) that I am capable of this, but they still want the official "development advisor" person.

Also, we'll probably be hiring in a few months, so keep an eye out for a posting regarding that coming here soon.