tamle's comments

tamle | 14 years ago | on: Show HN: Update on my startup - very overdue.

Hi Snaveint -

Congrats on getting this out! I recently started on my own startup and like you I always feel behind.

That aside, I've heard many people in the NY area ask for a service similar to this, but for managing whole buildings. Do you have an idea of what your initial target market might be?

Also, the video is very well done, but you make the assumption that someone would want to watch that to learn more about your site. I'd add some text for those that prefer reading.

Good luck!

tamle | 14 years ago | on: Ask HN: "Lean Startup" by Eric Ries vs. "Four Steps..." by Steven Blank?

Hi Abbas -

I've found that Eric builds upon Steve's philosophy while combining it with the ideas found in "Business Model Generation" by Osterwalder.

In my opinion, the two books go hand in hand more than repeat one another.

Specifically, in "Lean Startup", Ries talks about Customer Development for a bit; whereas "Four Steps..." is mainly about customer development.

In short: both books are valuable

tamle | 14 years ago | on: The Return of Color

At first glance I misread the title and thought it said: "the return of in living color" - that made me excited.

When I actually read the title correctly, and clicked through to skim the article - that made me 'meh'.

You know who else thought they could make money by turning themselves blue? Tobias Funke.

tamle | 14 years ago | on: Ask HN: What interests tech people when talking to a non-tech person?

I'm a Web/Mobile Product Manager (did this in the Bay Area for 4 years) turned MBA student with a strong desire to start my own startup.

To copy and paste from my linkedin: I am an untraditional MBA student.

I find it difficult to digest traditional/big corporate ways of thinking and because of that I spend most of my time outside of class helping Austin entrepreneurs refine and develop their businesses: as of Sept 2011, I am working at two different startups as well as trying to launch two businesses of my own and help another person launch theirs. Additionally, I advise 19 first year MBA students as they begin their entrepreneurial journey.

With that said, I still make sure to do all my work as I do have a responsibility to my group members who may take getting an MBA more seriously than I do.

In short - I hustle. I do work.

Expected to graduate in May 2012

Focus: Technology, Entrepreneurship, Social Enterprise, Lean Startups /copy and paste

Because of my experience as a product manager I actually do have experience working with developers, so a lot of the advice I've been given here rings true - but starting a company with someone such as yourself is way different. I actually know one tech person whose philosophy is to just not work with business people as he thinks he can do everything himself - more power to him.

Thus, my inquiry.

It's funny you bring up marriage. I was debating with someone the other day who you have to trust more - your business partner/co-founder or your spouse. Either or, both can screw you. Haha.

tamle | 14 years ago | on: Ask HN: What interests tech people when talking to a non-tech person?

1. "If I were an investor, I would have to want to invest in us." That makes so much sense, I can't believe I've never thought of it in that light before.

2. Agreed.

3. "You probably have to make it actually worth my while." - Specifically, is this money/equity? Or is there another dimension I'm overlooking?

4. If I'm understanding you correctly: you want to work with someone more passionate about figuring out how to solve problem X as opposed to someone who's passionate about using their proposed solution. Correct?

Thank you!

tamle | 14 years ago | on: When to kill your tech startup

I think this is an incredibly interesting post.

Point of reference: My background is in software product management at Bay Area startups, and then I went to go get my MBA (finishing soon... hopefully...).

I mention the MBA thing because in my entrepreneurship classes, I'm often the only one saying that X should keep going with their business even when things aren't looking too bright (I've found that most MBAs natural inclinations are to exit a business because being making a startup work is exponentially more difficult).

With that being said, I think it takes a tremendous amount of maturity and awareness to know when to kill your startup. Personally, I think this makes you a better entrepreneur, and I wish you the best of luck on whatever you attempt next.

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