Things I've learned running two startups in the past 12 months

1. If you have an idea that costs time or money, don't do it yet. Think simpler. There is always a simpler solution.
2. Stealth mode is bullshit. Socialize your ideas.
3. Smaller teams move faster.
4. Don't build yet- there is always a way to succeed without an expensive technical build. 
5. The best people cost money. Not always the most money- but never the least.
6. A business is made or sunk by a few key employees. No matter the job- you'll be relying on 20% of your people for 80% of your output. 
7. Take every meeting. The biggest customers for each startup have both come from odd meetings I had little desire to attend.
8. You never know who you'll run into at a cocktail party. And at worst, there are usually cheese platters.
9. Act, don't talk about acting. You'll learn more- and accomplish more- from 5 minutes in the field than 5 hours at the chalk board.
10. The most difficult thing is managing vision with action. One is nothing without the other, but vision relies more on action. So feel comfortable mending vision to action, but keep action directed towards vision.
11. Not everyone's a customer. Not everyone is as excited as you are. Some people suck. Go prove 'em wrong. 

Pivots

Ann Miura-Ko, named by Business Insider as "The Most Powerful Woman in Startups" once said that a pivot isn't a slight change in business model. Its an alteration so big and drastic, so against the months (or in this case) years of work that you've put into a company that it hurts your gut. You've gotta hate to pivot.

Well, here we are. Forced into this by a number of constraints, not the least of which is financial. But time, effort, and other commitments all play a factor as well. We're making another pivot.

Right now, we've spent the last many many months (and Jesus, many many thousands of dollars) working towards becoming the foundational layer of transportation of goods within a community. That was- and remains- an awesome and exciting idea that a passionate, devoted, and well funded team can do a lot of cool stuff with.

Due to a number of changed circumstances is my life, we are none of those things. Well, maybe still passionate. But not the other two. Certainly not the third. Whatever the opposite of the third is- we are that.

So design loves constraints, and these constraints are leading us to a new designs. Instead of going towards our old goal- one that requires a lot of technology, management, sales, resources, planning, money, and onwards...we're transforming into what we know works- a 'temp agency' for delivery drivers. When a restaurant that already has their own drivers is short staffed, we'll help them out and give them someone for the evening.

This will also free up a ton of time to pursue what I think is a really awesome idea- the Driver Benefits Program. We're going to make deals with small businesses in the area and sign them up to provide discounts specifically for delivery drivers. Drivers work out of their cars often, and need repairs, oil changes, and washes often. Businesses that partner with us will get targeted marketing directly towards the customers that would use them the most.

And so, we're pivoting. We'll see where it goes, and where we can take this. I'll keep you updated!

-A