One is the Busiest Number

Everyone’s probably heard the saying,“One is the loneliest number”. In many ways, I have found that to be true. However, since starting this new company, I can only say that One is definitely the BUSIEST number.

At the last count, we have 5 developers actively involved, 1 designer, 1 HTML Guru, 2 great people helping with financing and business plan development, 3 people involved in general sales/marketing/pitch strategy, 2 advisors on the Board, and myself. There’s nothing lonely about 15 people piping and chiming into Basecamp almost daily.

No it’s certainly not lonely, but I sure am busy. I hate the pyramid metaphor for management structure. Perhaps a better analogy is that of the keystone. My role as the CEO of this new company has my hand in many different pots at the same time. On any given day, you’ll find me on the phone, in an irc channel, chatting via IM all at the same time. Add to this that I am actually being forced to use almost every skillset I have. From designing wireframes and basic icon shapes with the designer, to reviewing HTML code and checking browsers, to writing specifications and designing databases, to writing sales pitches and designing the accompanying slide and last researching the competition and the landscape.

Phew. I’m not lonely. I’m bloody tired. For the last 13 years or so I have been working with 6-3 hours sleep a night. It’s never been a problem. I can tell you now, though, come 1AM or 2AM, I’m more than ready to go to sleep. Sure I still get up at 6-7AM, but still, it’s hard to admit I need sleep now!

Besides my team, I know there’s lots of us out there. We’re not lonely, but sometimes we could use a hug :).