I’ve heard about this state of realization I’m in during my Entrepreneurship class, back in my senior year of Illinois.
StatusFix is no longer mine. It’s ours. I’m glad that it is, even though initially, it hurt a bit.
Dose of Reality
It was an idea I’ve had for a while. The Entrepreneurial Beast inside couldn’t wait any longer on the ideas I’ve carried in my brain and my notes. I‘ve had some inkling as to what should be done, and so, going by the book, I’ve shared my ideas with close friends and colleagues.
At that point, I still thought it was my idea. While I was sharing about the multiple ideas I’ve been scheming and listening to comments and suggestions, I thought that I was laying foundations for something… greater than me.
Hilarious: Creating something greater than me, and thinking that it’s still mine. Silly me.
Tangent: Facts I Cling To
Less about the Idea, More about the People.
Most likely, someone else had thought up your idea, too.
A great leader enable others.
Back to Your Scheduled Post
Even though I’ve had these facts seared into my brain, I couldn’t apply them with StatusFix.
It’s a paradox, really. I never thought of my friends as free slave labor to my riches. I wanted everyone to be fairly compensated. But at the same time, I wanted my vision to permeate within StatusFix. I wanted my DNA to be implanted into this thing. I wanted to lead.
Initially, I was really excited to have people onboard. This being the first time working with a group outside of school or work made things refreshing. Also, I was surprised that others actually believed in this idea. Enough to use some of their time, skills, and effort to bring it to fruition? Awesome.
Then, reality kicked in. Sometimes I was wrong. But rather than admit defeat, I would stand by them for the sake of standing by them. (I do this alot.) Silly me. Sometimes I was right, and I would have to defend my position. All in all, these discussions were the process that brought our team of five to this place in time.
There seems to be no end in sight for learning and growing, just like other areas in my life: I can be wrong, I just cannot forget to learn.
The truth is, though, I brought these guys together, underneath the banner of StatusFix. I’m managing my own resources as well as StatusFix’s. I feel like a manager at times, but I must “know my role”. I am not the “leader”. I am the facilitator.
Always bear in mind, Josh Kim: Without the people, StatusFix is nothing but another page in your idea notebook.
Now What?
I’m one of the 5 co-founders of StatusFix. I am also the founder of HanMeta.
StatusFix is only a sub-project off of HanMeta at this point, until it gains some momentum (momentum meaning… profits). If it does, then we’ll actually create a company, and divide up the profits/losses.
Creation/Upkeep cost of HanMeta is 100% my own. Eventually, hosting and domain registration costs will be divided along the percentages agreed to at an earlier meeting. (JUST for statusfix.com and slicehost).
Now I can sleep better at night, knowing that when that day comes when we make our first $1, I know how to divide it up.
Footnote: “Secretary”
A nickname I had in high school was the “Secretary”. I will not going into details why, but I think it’s apt to write that here.
If any of my high school friends want to comment on this, go for it.
