stas kaufman

stas kaufman

Co-founder @ DeepElegant
22 points

Forums

Querrip/querriNeelam Chakrabarty

2mo ago

What is one thing that frustrates you the most about your data?

Given all the AI tools out there today, what is one challenge with data that still remains unsolved? why do you think it hasn't/can't be solved easily.

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.

Would you pay more for a product with great support?

Most people think users choose products based on features or price. In reality, support decides who stays.

A cheaper tool becomes expensive fast when every issue turns into a ticket nightmare. Meanwhile, teams keep paying more for products that solve problems and support them when it matters.

Support is not a cost. It is part of the product experience. Fast replies build trust. Clear answers reduce churn. Companies that treat support as a growth lever win.

I really wonder these questions

Would you pay more for a product with great support?

Most people think users choose products based on features or price. In reality, support decides who stays.

A cheaper tool becomes expensive fast when every issue turns into a ticket nightmare. Meanwhile, teams keep paying more for products that solve problems and support them when it matters.

Support is not a cost. It is part of the product experience. Fast replies build trust. Clear answers reduce churn. Companies that treat support as a growth lever win.

I really wonder these questions

Nika

3mo ago

How much money would you be willing to spend from your own savings to start a business?

Are you the kind of person who believes in your dream enough to burn through most of your savings on it?

For millionaires, this might not be a big deal, but what about people with a typical 9 5 job? I see how much a solid marketing campaign costs on just one platform (often the monthly expense is equal to at least a full year s salary).

The day before yesterday, a friend told me he and his wife are closing their restaurant, which they opened just six months ago. They had taken a loan for it, which makes it even worse.