Comments on: Commodity Web Startups http://www.stubbleblog.com/index.php/2007/10/commodity-web-s/ A curious nerd. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:31:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Tony Stubblebine http://www.stubbleblog.com/index.php/2007/10/commodity-web-s/comment-page-1/#comment-188 Tony Stubblebine Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:29:34 +0000 http://www.stubbleblog.com/wp/?p=205#comment-188 Denny, I don't think we need to argue over terms. The post and my response to you is just helping me figure out which term I'm going to support. I think most entrepreneurs I talk to think like you and that means VC money is part of the roadmap that they're envisioning. I think VC and acquisition are opportunities that may happen to me, but I'm fundamentally thinking about it differently. I want to build a company that I will enjoy working at for the next fifty years. I know I'm not the only one who feels that way (37 Signals being the most visible). Knox, thanks for stopping by. I loved the scene in Atlanta when I was there last year for SoCon. Denny, I don’t think we need to argue over terms. The post and my response to you is just helping me figure out which term I’m going to support. I think most entrepreneurs I talk to think like you and that means VC money is part of the roadmap that they’re envisioning. I think VC and acquisition are opportunities that may happen to me, but I’m fundamentally thinking about it differently. I want to build a company that I will enjoy working at for the next fifty years. I know I’m not the only one who feels that way (37 Signals being the most visible).

Knox, thanks for stopping by. I loved the scene in Atlanta when I was there last year for SoCon.

]]> By: Knox Massey http://www.stubbleblog.com/index.php/2007/10/commodity-web-s/comment-page-1/#comment-187 Knox Massey Thu, 18 Oct 2007 18:17:16 +0000 http://www.stubbleblog.com/wp/?p=205#comment-187 Tony, Great article/post. I ran across this yesterday by happenstance. A wonderful perspective from an entrepreneurs point of view. You've hit on the new (old) idea to back the individual, not the idea. That's one of the hardest lessons in early stage investing to learn. This type of discussion would be very helpful to many entrepreneurs--and investors. The result would be cleaner expectations and a good work ethic on both sides. Tony,
Great article/post. I ran across this yesterday by happenstance. A wonderful perspective from an entrepreneurs point of view. You’ve hit on the new (old) idea to back the individual, not the idea. That’s one of the hardest lessons in early stage investing to learn.
This type of discussion would be very helpful to many entrepreneurs–and investors. The result would be cleaner expectations and a good work ethic on both sides.

]]> By: Denny K Miu http://www.stubbleblog.com/index.php/2007/10/commodity-web-s/comment-page-1/#comment-181 Denny K Miu Thu, 18 Oct 2007 02:40:46 +0000 http://www.stubbleblog.com/wp/?p=205#comment-181 Tony: I don't mean to be argumentative, but in my mind, there is a subtle but important difference between a "bootstrapping" entrepreneur and a "small business" owner. Speaking for myself, I am interested in building companies (but I surround myself with partners who are interested in building shippable products). In my mind, the company itself is my ultimate product. This is not to say that I am in for a quick flip, but at the same time, I am also not building the company for my children. In other words, at some point, the company will cease to be a "small business" and it is time to let go (either becoming a public entity or to be part of another public company). By "bootstrapping", I am making the distinction that I intend to postpond the VC fund raising for as long as I can (may be even never if I could take it to the point of profitability by bootstrapping as we have done with Gigamon). I greatly respect what you do and good luck to you. --Denny-- Startup for Less - Survival Guide for Bootstrapping Entrepreneurs http://www.lovemytool.com/blog/startup-for-less.html Tony:

I don’t mean to be argumentative, but in my mind, there is a subtle but important difference between a “bootstrapping” entrepreneur and a “small business” owner. Speaking for myself, I am interested in building companies (but I surround myself with partners who are interested in building shippable products). In my mind, the company itself is my ultimate product. This is not to say that I am in for a quick flip, but at the same time, I am also not building the company for my children. In other words, at some point, the company will cease to be a “small business” and it is time to let go (either becoming a public entity or to be part of another public company). By “bootstrapping”, I am making the distinction that I intend to postpond the VC fund raising for as long as I can (may be even never if I could take it to the point of profitability by bootstrapping as we have done with Gigamon).

I greatly respect what you do and good luck to you.

–Denny–

Startup for Less – Survival Guide for Bootstrapping Entrepreneurs
http://www.lovemytool.com/blog/startup-for-less.html

]]> By: Tony Stubblebine http://www.stubbleblog.com/index.php/2007/10/commodity-web-s/comment-page-1/#comment-177 Tony Stubblebine Wed, 17 Oct 2007 18:40:10 +0000 http://www.stubbleblog.com/wp/?p=205#comment-177 I'm not thrilled with the term "bootstrapping entrepreneur." It's not prescriptive enough. You don't build a great business by just not spending money or taking on credit card debt. I'd rather use the term "small business" because that implies activities that really do build the business: find customers and find revenue. If your ultimate goal is to build a company with a huge valuation, starting with a small business seems just as effective as chasing venture capital. You can use the revenue as leverage to start other businesses. I’m not thrilled with the term “bootstrapping entrepreneur.” It’s not prescriptive enough. You don’t build a great business by just not spending money or taking on credit card debt. I’d rather use the term “small business” because that implies activities that really do build the business: find customers and find revenue. If your ultimate goal is to build a company with a huge valuation, starting with a small business seems just as effective as chasing venture capital. You can use the revenue as leverage to start other businesses.

]]> By: Denny K Miu http://www.stubbleblog.com/index.php/2007/10/commodity-web-s/comment-page-1/#comment-176 Denny K Miu Wed, 17 Oct 2007 15:59:34 +0000 http://www.stubbleblog.com/wp/?p=205#comment-176 Thanks for such an enjoyable post. I am sure lots of enterpreneurs share the same thoughts, especially those who call themselves "bootstrapping entrepreneurs". The following is my own experience of what VC's are and what they are not. How to Turn Your VC into Your Worst Enemy? http://www.lovemytool.com/blog/2007/10/vc-worst-enemy.html --Denny-- Thanks for such an enjoyable post. I am sure lots of enterpreneurs share the same thoughts, especially those who call themselves “bootstrapping entrepreneurs”. The following is my own experience of what VC’s are and what they are not.

How to Turn Your VC into Your Worst Enemy?
http://www.lovemytool.com/blog/2007/10/vc-worst-enemy.html

–Denny–

]]> By: Mike http://www.stubbleblog.com/index.php/2007/10/commodity-web-s/comment-page-1/#comment-175 Mike Wed, 17 Oct 2007 15:43:42 +0000 http://www.stubbleblog.com/wp/?p=205#comment-175 This is a great post. I'm saving this and going to read it again when business gets tough. thanks for writing it. This is a great post. I’m saving this and going to read it again when business gets tough. thanks for writing it.

]]> By: wanderer http://www.stubbleblog.com/index.php/2007/10/commodity-web-s/comment-page-1/#comment-173 wanderer Wed, 17 Oct 2007 15:03:02 +0000 http://www.stubbleblog.com/wp/?p=205#comment-173 Excellent post. Nice summary of the options. A small startup is like a family farm. You keep it small, fresh, local, and provides most of what you need. That's better than running a giant factory pig farm any day. Excellent post. Nice summary of the options. A small startup is like a family farm. You keep it small, fresh, local, and provides most of what you need. That’s better than running a giant factory pig farm any day.

]]> By: jason knight http://www.stubbleblog.com/index.php/2007/10/commodity-web-s/comment-page-1/#comment-100 jason knight Tue, 09 Oct 2007 18:28:25 +0000 http://www.stubbleblog.com/wp/?p=205#comment-100 Congratulations Tony! Great post. Congratulations Tony!

Great post.

]]>