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Nubela, Since I'm working on my startup too and Asian, I understand your frustration and what you're going through. Since you're a programmer, my advice would be to secure a business/marketing person ASAP because generally technical people aren't that great at pitches and meeting people. Also, when you have a team it helps you stay on track and you get great feedback, encouragement, support, and everyone helps out. I got a great team currently and I didn't have them a few weeks ago. It's a matter of winning them over slowly, building trust, good/honest communication, getting them to know you and your project/idea and making them believe that you really care about your project and that you're passionate about it. That's how I won over my 2 mentors/advisors, the best corporate attorney in the state, and my programmer co-founder. 2nd thing I'd do in your situation is what I call back against the wall, what can I do to make some quick cash and that I can do with small short term projects? Since I'm the marketing type, my list of ideas will generately be ebay, sell stuff, affiliate marketing, promote something, do a workshop locally, or whatever I can come up with. Brainstorm a list that works for you. But avoid getting a job until it's the absolute last resort. 3rd thing I do is go to networking events to meet more people and possibly find your team. I met mine at a Startup Weekend and business functions. You just need to get out there, seriously, just do it. To stay motivated, I remind myself why I'm doing this. I think about what my vision is and how many millions of people I can help and the impact it will have. I also think about what I hate about the whole industry and why I'm trying to change/revamp it, that drives me. You have to find out what motivates you internally. If it's just money and fame, that's too easy because you can do that with other things so why your particular project? So for me, it's become a cause and a mission that I really believe in so it's been easy convincing people to help me and getting them to see the cause/mission and how it will help others. I wish you luck in your project and don't give up. Take care! |