Shahmeer Baloch

Shahmeer Baloch

Forums

How I spent ten years on 18 projects to understand the fundamental rule of startups

My journey in startups began 10 years ago, and I've launched 18 startups, most of which failed. Briefly on why they failed:
1. Contract Online my first startup in 2015, which was supposed to be an online service for remote signing of contracts for any transactions between individuals. A kind of analogue of a secure transaction. For this startup, I even managed to attract a business angel who invested $16,500.

Reason for failure: I had two lawyers on my team who discovered in the process that the legal framework at the time could not provide reliable grounds for protecting our users in remote transactions. The contracts would not have been considered legally signed.
2. Natural Products In 2015-2018, I became very passionate about healthy eating, but in the process, I discovered that products in all chain stores are full of chemicals, and stores with truly natural products are inaccessible to the majority. Hence, the idea emerged to create my own online platform where you could order natural products directly from farmers at affordable prices.

Reason for failure: For several years, I tried to launch this project, even trained as a baker of natural bread and tried to create my own farm, but in the process, I found that few people are willing to pay for truly natural products, even if these products were only 20-30% more expensive than market prices, and not 2-3 times more, as in premium stores. Hence, the market was so small that all my attempts were doomed.

Why is it worth being on Product Hunt every day?

I ve been here for almost three years, and over time, I ve started to see this platform as a social network.

I know that many people come to launch their products and, due to time constraints, do not have time to establish a strong presence here, but I m glad some regular users focus on building the community.

Nika

4mo ago

What can universities truly offer students if tech firms value experience over degrees?

Traditional professions like doctors, judges, and the like need specialised academic guidance (certificate) + experience. I agree.

But what about technical and humanities? So far, everyone has argued that a university will bring contacts (I'm not arguing, that's true... but the same can be done with hustling/projects).

Nika

5mo ago

🔥 1000-day streak – special edition: How to last on Product Hunt long-term?

I have been here for so long that visiting the Product Hunt page is like an automatic reflex after waking up. Just kidding.

Anyway, there are 10 hints on how to keep that streak going:

Nika

6mo ago

If you wanted to find talented people for your startup – where would you look?

In a time when big corporations are overpaying for their job offers just to steal the best talent from another big company, and in an era where everyone can build their own startup, there will always be room for people who prefer to join a team and work on something (in the future) big.

How would you find these promising talents?

Check what Google thinks of your content

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Nika

6mo ago

How many and what type of subscriptions do you have?

Maybe this post will help makers understand how much people are willing to spend, what products are useful to them, and what the main motive for buying is.

I personally try to keep track of how much and what I spend. Before I invest in something, I consider:

  • what will be the return on it (i.e. whether I will earn something by buying/investing in a product),

  • whether it will be profitable for me in the long term,

  • whether it will save me time.

Which topics discussed on Product Hunt spark your attention the most?

Do you notice which topics discussed on this platform make you think, and you like to contribute your 2 cents?

I don't mean that you generate an AI answer for the topic, but that you enjoy discussing the topic like a real person.