need founder advice, but I don’t think I’m looking for a traditional mentor
hello...
For the last year, I’ve been building a startup as a solo founder, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around how I got here. I’m a stay-at-home mom. I don’t have a technical background, startup experience, a cofounder, investors, or a network of founders I can call. I found a problem I couldn’t stop thinking about, kept chasing the next answer, kept asking people who knew more than I did, and somehow that turned into a real platform that is now close to launch.
The app is finally to the point where the build itself is no longer the thing keeping me up at night. My dev is finishing the final build, security audits, and production details.
n now I’m sitting here thinking…
Okay. Now what?
And I don’t mean what.
I mean… who?
Because every answer seems to be another freakin person. Attorney. Business formation. Insurance. Banking. Operations. Accounting. Advisors. Website. Domain email. Launch. Privacy. Liability😩. Every time I think I’ve got the list in front of me, three more things show up.
I can research all of those things. I can make another document. I can keep preparing until I have a binder for every possible scenario. None of that tells me what actually matters first. None of it tells me what deserves my attention this month versus what can wait six months.
I’ve prepared as much as I know how. I’ve written legal briefing packets because I knew I’d eventually need an attorney. I’ve put together strategic growth documents because I knew I’d eventually need direction. I’ve thought through branding, launch strategy, visibility, networking, pricing, sustainability, and the long-term vision. I don’t mind doing the work.
What I’m struggling with is sequence.
I keep asking myself, “Who do I need?”
Lately I’ve realized that might be the wrong question.
The better question is…
Who knows who I need?
tbh i don’t know if that person is a founder, operator, startup attorney, accelerator director, or someone who has built and exited companies. i genuinely don’t know.
I don’t need someone to solve everything for me. I need someone experienced enough to look at where I am and say, “You’re here. Ignore these ten things. These are your next three conversations. This is the attorney I’d trust. Don’t waste six months figuring that out alone.”
That’s the person I need n i know this
I’m good at outreach. I’m good at asking questions. I have no issue admitting what I don’t know. I just don’t know where to direct that energy next.
Does that person have a title?
Or is this the kind of person you only meet because someone else says, “You need to talk to them”?
If you’ve been here, I’d genuinely love your insight or perspective. If reading this made someone immediately come to mind, I’d be incredibly grateful if you’d point me in their direction. I have a feeling I’m one introduction away from replacing a year of guessing with one honest conversation tbh