[curtisholmes]

Why do you firmly believe that your first startup should be on your own dime? I have two issues with this. First, if you can't convince investors to give you money, it might be a sign that it will be hard to convince users to use your product. Also, it's a bad risk management strategy. You seem to be already investing over $10,000 of your time in this project, so if it fails, you will feel it regardless. An upside would be that you have more control and might worry less about dilution, but at this stage I would be more concerned about having the best resources to create a great product.

[closedbracket]

Because it's a lot easier to spend other people's money. Instead of hiring people when you need something done, you learn it and do it. That way, when you do hire someone you are more knowledgeable and careful with your decisions.

I think it's a good way to teach yourself to be "lean" (in the parlance of our times)