You Don’t Have to Risk Everything to Start Your Business | Hacker News Reader

You Don’t Have to Risk Everything to Start Your Business

indiehackers.com

This is a great story, but it's not much different from the Zuckerberg-style too-good-to-be-true stories the author laments. Near as I can tell, this person didn't risk much because, like most (or, at least, many) who make a successful business, he had an abundance of luck favoring his ambition, particularly in the form of his work arrangement.

Most companies would see his proposal and think "this guy's position can be eliminated" instead of "this guy's giving us the same output for 60% of the cost!"

In other words his particular circumstances simply aren't broadly applicable.

I'm the author. I was definitely lucky to work for an organization that was flexible.

Take my story for what it is though: a particular story. Particulars aren't meant to be broadly applicable.

Affiliate marketing, done right, is where the money is at.

The indiehacker post says

> Today I run Site Builder Report, a one-person niche business that makes ~$40,000 / month

Is that accurate? Or is it combined income from all your 7 different "report" / "review" sites, as listed on your other site - https://www.wisebuyer.com/

Not trolling, genuinely curious. I dabbled with amazon affiliate marketing a few years ago, and didn't see anything close to even 1000$ a month after a year.

Nice work also on the UI design and on adopting 1 model that works -- in-depth review with affiliate links - on 7 different niches.

It's accurate. My other websites have not been as successful, they make $50 - $200 / month :(

Curious about the claim on affiliate marketing being profitable. I see one of the ideas - Amazon affiliate not working out. What other types of affiliates are there?

I'd take issue with title because it does imply a broad applicability that isn't supported by the content. A more accurate title might be, "I didn't have to risk everything to Start My Business."

That's pedantic.

"You'd Don't Have to Risk Everything" implies an option, not broad applicability.

The point is the "it" actually is not an option most of the time.

See original comment:

> I'm the author. I was definitely lucky to work for an organization that was flexible.

> Take my story for what it is though: a particular story. Particulars aren't meant to be broadly applicable.

> In other words his particular circumstances simply aren't broadly applicable.

But others circumstances are and most of the times people don't see and lose it. This isn't luck.

Well done by the author for starting something and getting in to the affiliate marketing hustle ("My work is supported by affiliate commissions."). Seems like he can do the same thing to himself (whereby he works less on this project because it seems stable / he can do what is needed in less time like his original job) and scale up / work on another project now. That would be clever then, that's the real thing to admire here I'd say - the self-propelled snowball technique.

Really appreciate your comment— that's certainly my goal :)

I'd be curious to know why the author decided to pen this article. Did they have a rash of friends who burned out by going "all in?"

I am seeing a trend of people writing more or less the same thing:

"A slow business is a good one, you don't need to devote everything to it."

Which is of course, true, but I'm unsure why it needs to be stated and who the author is trying to reach.

Did you read the article or just shoehorn it into some trend?

> We tell stories about entrepreneurs who take big risks because risk is sexy. People who take risks, the implication goes, are fearless. It makes for a great story... So here’s an alternative: play the slow-game.

Right, I read that part. It's still unclear what the purpose of the post was. Are you trying to dissuade people from betting the farm on a venture? If someone sent you an email and said "As a result of your blog post I went out and _________" what would you want that (blank) to be?

Separately, I don't agree with the premise that big risks in and of themselves are sexy. Big Risks around a overwhelmingly huge opportunity, in an exciting sector with clear momentum are what is sexy.

Nobody thinks the person with no capabilities, risking everything for a terrible idea is sexy. Like this guy:

The creator of "Bulletball:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOOw2yWMSfk

Does anyone think this guy or his idea is sexy? No. Those people are cranks and loons and are generally derided and dismissed.

Oh my god. Take my story for what it is: one guys story. It's purpose is to share a way forward for people who want to start their own business but don't want to bet the farm. That's it. It couldn't be any clearer. Stop putting further narratives on it. I'm not attacking whatever you think I'm attacking.

Thanks for sharing your story Steve.

It is interesting to consider what pivoting actually feels and looks like when you're in the thick of things.

May I ask if others have felt pivoting more palatable because the runway isn't running out?

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tl/dr: Author shares how he moved from full-time employee to part-time employee as a way to mitigate the risk of starting a business.

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