logicalxor

We are building a product, however, we don't know whether people will use it or not. We did initial user interviews (10+) and got signal that users will use something like that. We took YC advise to heart and did manual work that delivers results for our product. It is painful but we got around $500 in payments.

Now, we want to build full-scale product. However, we have been operating product on users' behalf. We don't know whether they will like it or not.

We are seeing demand in the market but it is VERY VERY Slow. I don't know whether that's just B2B market or if it our product's need.

I see competing products in adjacent arena that are working but our magic is in speed, customer service, and customizations that user can do.

How do we decide whether to build this product or if we should abandon it and look for something else?

Any insights will be helpful.

Someone got into heated argument over comment I made in my another thread when I said we survive well with $60k (post tax) for family of four.

Here is the breaddown:

Rent: $2400 (East South of Seattle, quiet and safe area 3B2Ba SFH)

Groceries: $800 per month

Kids school: $200 per month (public school)

Kids activities: $200 (for 4-6 months). We play at home.

Electricity, Gas, Sewer - $400 per month

Gas: $100 per month (I mostly do WFH)

Emergency: $300 per month

Fun or toys: $100 month

Healthcare: $1200 per month (through marketplace)

Internet: $50 per month (comcast 2 year deal)

Childcare: None since one of the spouse stays at home.

My spouse and I don't drink. We play board games at home. We have no TV rule at home since most TV is just brainwashing. We have internet that we use for watching shows. We don't like Netflix since every show is just sex, gore, or violence filled non-sense.

We could lower it if we moved to an apartment but we love the place. We live happily and I get to see kids everyday rather than leaving them with strangers with cookie cutter upbringing. You can't outsourced parenting when you decide to have kids. But, most people never grow up. They want to party every weekend. They can't keep up with jonasses. We are different. This is how my family built the wealth.

I firmly beleive it is manageable with $60k to $80k. Granted, we are not contributing to retirement but this won't be forever situation.

Somehow, people have build expectation that you need $150k - $200k to live descently. It is utmost corporate and media brainwashing one could imagine.

I totally understand this is not doable for everyone and your situation might be different. But, please don't deny you are not going to survive on $60k.

I am curious how much money do you spend each month and what does the breaddown look like?

I left my job in 2023 voluntarily after immense harassment by management for taking paternity leave. I needed it since our baby birth and first few months did not go as we expected. Company had 6 months of parental leave policy but my manager (a woman!) still discriminated. Our baby is fine now and growing well.

I took 6 months off and then started working on my own project that turned into a startup. We have a few customers and we are growing, albeit slowly. I did not have any experience with Sales and Marketing and did not have any in-group contacts for selling MVP. I am learning it hard way.

Just looking at number of layoffs it is scary. How is job search going for you? I am conflicted on whether I should get back to job search or continue my startup. I believe I product will add value but getting it up is a long path.

What are your experiences with job search lately? I have been in SWE and SWE Manager roles. I enjoy SWE Research work more than being a SWE manager.