From Midnight Oil to Morning Light: The Startup Rollercoaster Rolls On

Ever wonder what happens when you mix entrepreneurial ambition, a dash of insomnia, and a sprinkle of Zărnești magic? Welcome to the latest chapter of my startup saga, where sleep is almost optional and ideas flow like mountain springs. 

It’s 2 AM, and I’m sitting here at Cobana, our cozy co-living space nestled in the heart of Transylvania, trying to figure out how to articulate the rollercoaster that is building a startup. The irony isn’t lost on me – here I am, supposedly working on a longevity-focused business, while completely disregarding one of the fundamental pillars of health: sleep. 

But hey, at least I’m not alone in my nocturnal endeavors. Two other guests here have also gravitated towards these vampire-like hours. There’s something about the quiet of the night that seems to fuel creativity. I’d like to say it’s just the mountain air, but let’s be real – it’s probably a combination of desperation, adrenaline, and that uniquely entrepreneurial breed of insanity.

The Imperfect Path to Wellness

Now, before you start thinking I’m some sort of wellness hypocrite, let me clarify: this whole longevity journey isn’t about being perfect. It’s about making progress, celebrating small victories, and not beating yourself up when you fall short. The wellness world can be intimidatingly perfect sometimes, making it feel impossible for mere mortals to even attempt. But that’s B.S. Because let’s face it, if we all waited until we were perfect to start something, we’d never start anything at all.

Tools of the Trade: From Trello to AI

Remember that empty Trello board I mentioned in my first post? Well, it’s now bursting at the seams with ideas, tasks, and half-formed plans. I’ve color-coded everything within an inch of its life, because apparently, that’s what passes for control in the chaotic world of entrepreneurship. 

For those of you who are as organizationally challenged as I am, Trello is a godsend. It’s simple, it’s free (mostly), and it doesn’t make you want to throw your computer out the window like some other project management tools I could mention (I’m looking at you, Asana). Plus, you can link it to Google Docs and Notion, creating a beautiful ecosystem of procrastination possibilities. 

Speaking of tools, here’s a pro tip: check out NotebookLM, a brand new offering from Google Labs. Think of it as a virtual research assistant that can summarize facts, explain complex ideas, and brainstorm new connections — all based on the sources you select. The key difference between NotebookLM and traditional AI chatbots is that it lets you “ground” the language model in your notes and sources. During my market research phase, I ended up with a total clusterf*#$! of ideas, sources, and reports. NotebookLM has been a game-changer in making sense of this information overload.

The Pricing Paradox and Lean Startup Realities

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room – or rather, the elephant that’s not in the room because I haven’t figured out how best to monetize it yet. Pricing. Ugh. As someone who’s always been more comfortable on the marketing side of things, the idea of actually asking people for money makes me break out in hives. It’s like my brain short-circuits: “Wait, you want me to provide value AND charge for it? Does not compute.” 

I’ve got a ton of kick-ass ideas, but the reality is I’m a solopreneur on a shoestring budget, trying to do this as a lean startup (shoutout to Eric Ries’ “The Lean Startup” and Chris Guillebeau’s “$100 Startup” for the inspiration). I’m constantly weighing which revenue streams are the smartest to pursue without spreading myself too thin. 

To get around this mental block, I’ve decided to split my business into two parts. One arm will focus on ultra high-net-worth individuals who have more money than they know what to do with. The other will be for us regular folk who are just trying to live a little longer and feel a little better. The idea is that the fancy arm will help fund the rest, like some sort of wellness Robin Hood scheme.

Designing for Impact: Website Woes and Freemium Dreams

I’m diving into the visual design of the website, and let me tell you, the pressure is on. With potential partners and collaborators on the horizon (fingers crossed for that MTEP acceptance), I need this site to be nothing short of scroll-stoppingly good. The game plan? A sleek, single-page scrolling landing page with a newsletter opt-in that’ll make people want to sign up before they even know what they’re signing up for. My mission for the next few months is clear: build a killer database of partners, followers, and future beta testers for our community platform. It’s go big or go home, folks.

As for the business model, I’m leaning towards a freemium approach. There’ll always be a free tier because I want this to be accessible to everyone. But here’s the kicker – I’ve learned the hard way that “free” often translates to “worthless” in people’s minds. Whether it was IRL events or meetups, I noticed that a small paywall not only increased perceived value but also boosted commitment. It’s like a magic spell against the dreaded no-show curse, which is basically meetup kryptonite.

Navigating New Waters: The SE Asia Market Challenge

But here’s the kicker – I’m trying to start all this in Malaysia, a market I’m still trying to understand. If I was back in Canada or the U.S., this would be so much easier. I’d know the market, the consumers, the whole nine yards. But easy is boring, right? And more importantly, it’s not where it’s needed most.

Southeast Asia and the Middle East are ripe for a longevity revolution. But with that opportunity comes a whole host of complexities – cultural nuances, language barriers, and trying to make everything halal-friendly. It’s a challenge, but as they say, if it was easy, everyone would do it.

So here I am, trying to build a minimum viable product while simultaneously figuring out how to generate revenue, provide real value, and make longevity “cool” instead of nerdy or elitist. It’s a tall order, but hey, no one ever changed the world by thinking small.

Beyond Personal Projects: Cobana’s Refugee Initiative

And speaking of community, I’m not the only one here at Cobana working on something impactful. David, our host, has been cooking up some exciting initiatives to collaborate with incubators and accelerator programs that align with his values, particularly those working with refugees. He’s looking to provide a sort of work-away/startup retreat and co-living situation for people fleeing conflict or persecution or who’ve been displaced. It’s still in the early stages, but it’s incredibly inspiring to see how he’s leveraging Cobana to make a real difference.

What’s so admirable about David’s mission is its potential to shift the narrative around refugees and immigrants. In a world where many countries view the influx of Asylum seekers as a burden, initiatives like this could be a revelation. By empowering refugees with skills, network, and opportunities to contribute meaningfully, we’re not just changing individual lives – we’re potentially reshaping entire communities’ perceptions. It’s a smart, forward-thinking approach that could create a ripple effect, turning “refugee” from a label of dependency to one of untapped potential and valuable contribution. If successful, it could serve as a model for migrant integration worldwide, proving that when given the right tools and opportunities, these individuals can become powerful assets to their host countries.

The Cobana Effect: Community, Growth, and Goat Herding

Despite the dawn-breaking brainstorms, the constant doubt, and the occasional desire to throw in the towel and become a goat herder in the Carpathian Mountains, I wouldn’t have it any other way. This Cobana Impact Residency has been transformative, providing not just a place to work, but a community to lean on.

Living and working with people from all over the world – Argentina, the UK, Israel, Poland – has been an education in itself. It’s improved my communication skills, challenged my assumptions, and given me perspectives I never would have considered. Sure, we butt heads sometimes, but that’s all part of the growth process.

So here’s to the the twilight hustle, the cultural clashes, and the constant learning curve. Here’s to building something meaningful in a place where it’s needed. And here’s to Cobana, for providing the space (both physical and mental) to make it all happen.

Stay tuned for the next installment, where I’ll either have figured out the secret to eternal life or have fully embraced my new career as a Transylvanian goat herder. Either way, it’s bound to be entertaining.

Catch you on the flip side, Cobana fam!

P.S. If anyone has any tips on how to make longevity sexy without resorting to glow-in-the-dark supplements, hit me up. Asking for a friend. (That friend is me. I’m the friend.)

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