Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hey Guys,
I`m starting out my online business and have a friend that`s designing it but need a programmer/developer to make it functional. The site after it`s functional needs to be updated and have support on the site all time. Should I contract the work out or find someone with the same vision as me and offer that person a piece of the company so I don`t have to come out of pocket off the bat.

Thanks if anyone can offer me any advice.
-Eric



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Thanks,
Eric Silva
http://twitter.com/esilva83

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Web Design | Best Beef Jerky | ecommerce articles | Follow vwebworld on Twitter

I have been approached many times by someone who wants me to produce an infomercial for them "in exchange for equity".  Most did not have a product yet, let alone a business plan, and they wanted me to invest thousands of dollars of my time and materials based solely on their enthusiasm. 


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Steve Mann
Internet Videographer
MannMade Digital Video
My Email

As for me, I would take an offer if you paid my hard cost in cash and the rest in shares or equity if it`s a promising project with a business plan.

In fact, a few companies do that. I believe that was the deal between Aliph and Fuseproject when Fuseproject designed their first Jawbone headset, for example.

I don`t want to offer a piece of the company but I know it`s better to have a good team with passion than just one. Time would just be part-time for the moment. Main reason I think I should have a partner is that it`s a brand new company with not much start up capital at the moment which will be different when the company starts to get members/customers in beta. There would be no capital involved for the partner just his/her time without pay until the company starts having a cash flow.


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Thanks,
Eric Silva
http://twitter.com/esilva83

It`s great if you know someone who will do this for you for free. Down side might be that depending on the scale of the project, it might take too long for one person to complete it.

It seems we are definitely in the same boat here. I would rather pay someone than bring them aboard but like you said low capital in the beginning that it might be better take on one person. The only thing we`re missing is a programmer/developer. I have a feeling that if we bring someone they will be pre-qualified/screened to make sure they have the vision we have and the passion and if we pay someone they might not have that. Also, the site needs to be updated, looked after daily which costs money and we would have to come out of pocked just to bring it to beta.

Please let me know what you and your friend ends up doing Lori just email me on here or something.

Thanks,
Eric



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Thanks,
Eric Silva
http://twitter.com/esilva83

I actually just axed a potential business deal (for selling Art) for the exact same reason.  They wanted the world in exchange for not very much in return.


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Aaron Wood
CEO
San Diego Dream Weavers
http://www.sddreamweavers.com
awood@sddreamweavers.com

New and improved! Now with blogging goodness!
http://www.sddreamweavers.com/san-diego-seo-marketing-blog/

I understand what your saying SD. I don`t want the programming partner to invest any money and just part time for the moment until everything gets underway. There will be a BPlan and they will get a stake of the company. The person I`m looking for has to be excited about what we`re doing and share the vision plus it`s all voluntary. What would you recommend instead of taking on a partner? Contract the work out but what about keeping the site updated and maintained?

Thanks for any feedback at all!
-Eric


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Thanks,
Eric Silva
http://twitter.com/esilva83