Where's my clone army?

I have a confession to make. I built Cashboard by myself.

Thats right. One person. Me.

Sure I’ve hired out small bits and pieces along the way. I’ve had wonderful contributions from trusted advisors and I’ve gleaned knowledge from trusted friends.

But all the blood, sweat, tears, design, code, and support emails? All mine.

I know some of you might be shocked to hear this. Especially when I throw the term "we" around so often. 

I never saw this as misleading as Cashboard is the sum of its parts. The sum of ideas, concepts, advice, partnerships, and work from multiple people – even if it was myself who executed all of this to make it happen. I often take on the persona of my corporation because I think in that manner.

I’m blessed to have developed into an "exceptional generalist" who can do multiple things competently. Design, user experience, programming, SQL, marketing. I’m good at all of the above. I’m a one man wrecking crew. It might sound a bit self centered…who cares? It’s the truth.

I average perhaps 10 to 12 hours daily working on Cashboard…for the past year and a half. It’s worked extremely well…until now.

Cashboard is at a stage in its growth where I constantly need more time.

I can only drink so much hyphy juice or rockstar cans to power me before my heart explodes. There just aren’t enough hours in the day to do what I want.

I’ve come to a realization. I need a clone… (Fuck that) I need a clone army. 

Finding the right people

Since cloning humans is frowned upon and we don’t have the technology for replicants yet I’m in a tough spot. I’ve quickly moved past my clone dreams to realize I need co-conspirators. It’s scary and exciting at the same time.

I’ve worked in all of the classic good and bad computer company situations. I was the 17 year old working at Hewlett Packard who lost his job because he stayed out late painting graffiti every night. I also was the 19 year old interviewing CS grads from Berkeley at a "dot com". That 25 year old user experience consultant who designed a brilliant product to see it die because of poor management? I’m all of those guys. I’ve seen the million ways to FAIL.

Up until a few months ago I would have told those war stories with a sad face.

I realize now that all of that just has prepared me for this latest chapter in my software life, and I’m pumped.

I’m not looking to instantly add a ton of people and make a bad choice. I have the luxury of time for now. There’s a few people I have in mind who I’ll be approaching when that time comes. Still, if you’re a technology fanatic, code Ruby on Rails like a bat out of hell, and have a drive as strong as mine I’d love to hear what you have to say.

Bulking up

Google lead me to a great article by Dharmesh Shah on the subject of finding a co-conspirator. It’s written for people exactly in my position. All it did was whet my appetite for more information.

Whenever I’m at a crossroads tackling a new challenge I always do the same thing. Grab a ton of books and immerse myself in the subject.

New biz books

This should hold me for a week or so.

Watch out suckers, I’m coming for your customers.

seth, Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:39:00 GMT
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  1. josh about 4 hours later:

    Nice post. I figured it was just you and didn’t think that it was misleading at all. I have to do the same thing sometimes; acting/speaking as my corporate entity.

  2. chon about 14 hours later:

    hows the hyphy juice? I like grape, I like Apple but will I like grapple?

  3. Seth about 14 hours later:

    Chon – you would love it. Order a case, I promise you won’t be disappointed.

    Excellent with some grey goose or belvedere as well :D

  4. Neil about 17 hours later:

    Go Seth. I fully expect to be working for you someday. ;)

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