Show HN: I'm betting everything on this. No plan B | Hacker News Reader

Show HN: I'm betting everything on this. No plan B

2 pointsdmasiii11 comments

I’m 25, way too many exams still to take. My classmates graduated two years ago, and here I am…still stuck in the same place.

Not long ago, through a friend, I received an offer for a regular 9-5 job, average salary, 30-minute drive to the office and all the usual perks. It seemed like a solid offer.

Everyone told me to accept it: my friends, my family. The idea was simple—I could start working, save some money, keep studying in the meantime, and finally finish my degree as soon as possible. After that, I could move to a bigger city, get a better paying job, and follow the usual path everyone expects.

But I said no.

I turned it down to create Describify.

Describify is a platform that uses AI to analyze an image of an item someone wants to sell and generates a complete, tailored listing for platforms like Vinted, eBay, or Wallapop.

Alright, you’re probably thinking, “What an idiot!” And maybe you’re right. I know that Describify isn’t a rocket headed for Mars or the next groundbreaking innovation in AI, but it’s my first public project—the first one I’ve poured my time (and sometimes my sanity) into, coding almost every day in my bedroom (don’t believe me? Check out my GitHub) while the rest of the world judged me. It’s like the Macintosh for Jobs. (Okay, I know that’s an over-the-top comparison, but you get the idea.)

The point is, I believe in my idea and in the future ones that will come. And if you believe in it too, sign up for the waitlist and be among the first to access the platform—as soon as I squash a few bugs!

www.describify.it

I use logical thinking for such things. For example, I see something in my data, that promises me something. I try out some cases, see even more promises. Now I have to think logically about that. Is it worth? How long time do I need to develop my idea? Are there pitfalls? How to compensate the build time and from which income? ... And so on ..

A real world example. I see, it's possible to predict events on stock market. Logically would be, not to go all-in, because it's nearly to impossible. It's really is if you think of how many tried and failed. And just logically: it isn't possible to foresee when Elon or others start to tweet farts. The market is too dynamical.

With this universal knowledge, it would be stupid not to take on the job for me and you. But what if I really see a way to predict stock market movements good enough?

It's not good enough for going all-in. One would need more data and information and assessment of the do-ability compared to time needed.

And so on..

So from the point of view of your text:

Did you do market research or is it just "I know it"?

Is it a trade between studying degree vs. your idea?

What happens if your idea is not working like expected? Possible pivots without much work?

And so on.. it's a classic thinking-all-through. Believing is not enough in a data driven world :)

Here’s my response to all the questions you asked:

1.I’m not just relying on an intuition of mine. I initially created this project to solve a personal need because I genuinely needed it. Once I did that, I started receiving feedback from other users of these platforms (especially Vinted) and friends who use them, and I realized it could be helpful to share it with everyone.

2- I'm not choosing between studying and pursuing my project , the choice I had was to accept the job so obviously in my free time I would have to devote time to study and not to my personal projects, so I chose to devote time to study and my projects, assuming that during the summer and weekends I do some simple work as the bartender or some more demanding work as freelance projects, so I can have enough money to eat and do the simple things of life (obviously without getting rich or creating a savings fund).

3.If the idea doesn’t work as expected, I don’t see the time spent building it as wasted. Instead, I see it as an excellent period during which I’ve learned a lot, making it easier and more effective to develop my next ideas. Moreover, as I mentioned earlier, I’m finishing my university studies, so in the end, I’ll have a degree that could always help me find a regular job, like the one I was previously offered.

yes, of course you did. But, somehow i have the feeling your thinking through did not went deep enough :)

I don't want to say you did the wrong thing. Do what you want and explore the world as long you're young. But always have a plan B for the short term. And always have a plan B to argument on questions like "why did you take so long time to finish your studies?". Answers like "I realized a project i needed could be helpful for others" aren't enough and can be understood like "there's a lack of focus and aim-persue".

I believe in you'll find your way!

I understand your point of view, unfortunately what I have told contains few words to explain everything behind a thought and I understand that from the outside it may seem like a reckless choice, but I know it will be worth it, if not for this maybe a project for others, but I know it's like this.

My mantra in these situations is: You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.

However I accept your point of view and how you stated it. It's good food for thought, so thanks.

"So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future." <- that's what I try to say. Its not about trust, but about controlled stearing of the path it goes.

One can't foresee the future, you're right, but one can think of possible to come and make a plan for this. My mantra is "better to think to much, than to less" :)

Look, you can't even sell your decision to your nearest - how do you want to sell "the not so goods" later to some foreigners? (With selling I mean make them support your decision)

Believing in yourself is the best thing there is... Most people give up on their dream before they've even started ;) So no, it's not stupid at all! Now, as for your idea, I think it might be missing a few special ingredients to meet your perfect customer... but practice makes perfect... so Bravo and I'm keen to follow the project! I myself have had a project close to my heart for almost 6 years and I know I'm at the end of the process to launch it this year or early 2025.... Keep going... Believe in yourself, it's more important than you think!

Don't think you are. Know you are.

Yes, with practice I will learn to improve the products that I create, Grazie for the trust and good luck for your project dude!

You only get resistance from other people when you have a good idea. Persistence (Grit) is the key to success.

As long as I can I'll always believe in my ideas

Best of luck to you. Courage is in short supply.

Thank's dude, this comment is really important to me.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com