I have been consulting for the last few months. That one client was my largest client and they are going away very shortly. I could either continue trying to do the freelance/consulting thing, or get a 'regular job' except I am in Jamaica and the startup scene, that I would want to work in, is not available locally. Going through the visa process is such a turn off, for another job in the US.
On that note, I would rather work on my app and am going to put my idea out there and see what happens.
I have been working with designers and developers for the better part of the last 3 - 4 years, in a project management type capacity and have discovered a huge pain point that I am determined to fix.
When a designer does a comp for me, they email it to me (or post it to basecamp, or upload to an ftp). I then look at it, reply to the email with comments, or post a comment to basecamp or send notes in a word/txt file. They then revise it, and on and on and on. This process gets very messy, especially when I have to then pass the comp along to other stakeholders (e.g. people on the executive team, other designers, developers, etc.). So I am building a web app to do that. It's called either 'Comp Version' or 'Comp Versions'. I own both domains.
I have started working on the interface, mainly jQuery, HTML, CSS. I am no designer, but I know how it should look and function and have decided to just build it myself. The truth is, that had things continued on (i.e. still had my major client) I was planning on taking the long slog of a journey and building it on my own, while learning everything. I am learning jQuery as I go along, and it is an uphill climb.
So, right now, in my moment of vulnerability. What I am looking for are a number of things. 1) Do you guys think this idea is good, and would any of you want to pay for this monthly? 2) Would you be willing to sign up for an alpha? 3) Are you a strong rails developer, that are interested in working with me on the back-end for equity or delayed compensation (that might be much higher than getting paid upfront)? 4) Any encouragement that can help me get over this little slump of vulnerability I am feeling right now.
I know that if I am able to power through, and get this app off the ground (without running out of cash), I will be much better off...both financially and psychologically (I can't explain how long I have been wanting to do this). I am just going through a slightly rough time at the moment.
Thanks guys.
P.S. I would apply to Y-Combinator...but it's too late and am running out of cash :|