Soo I’ve been frustrated with my luck in finding a job, but I need to start working!

I have been thinking about starting my own web services (of some type) business.

I need a mentor, or a partner or just someone to talk about ideas with.

How does one go about finding someone like that?

BTW I know this isn’t a networking specific but I think it’s worth a shot.

im known to give unsolicited advice.

first things first: have you ever worked for yourself before?

as a web developer / freelancer?

do you have a runway, say, six months of expenses?

have you ever done sales before?

have you ever closed a sale?

dont be discouraged by these questions.

@Wisecrack Valid Points. @Edragon just don't make your decision in rush

@Edragon have to agree with @Wisecrack, in order to successfully run a web services business (or any business for that), you need to know how to make a sale (or at least be a bit of a people person), or try to employ or partner with someone with a background in sales/management/marketing. Because no matter how good your product it, if you don't market it properly (to ultimately get customers/clients and sell them), it would be useless.

Just my 2 cents....

I would say keep trying for the job, successful start-ups take years to build. And you can always start your own venture after getting a job with the advantage of having better connections and exposure.
Btw are you still in college or you left some job to start off somewhere else?

@ishank-dev I finished my undergrad, and have taken several courses & classes. I stopped working to focus on finishing my degree. The. I realized how much more I had to learn and I’ve been doing just that.

Ideally it would be better to have the experience before going at it on my own, that’s just what I’m having no luck with

@inhamul thank you

@Wisecrack I used to have a sole proprietorship as a jewelry designer, but that is a physical product & I started it just as an enjoyable hobby.

I do have a few months of leeway (thankfully) that doesn’t mean I feel comfortable not continuing to try

Thank you for your questions they’re good points that help

Btw my weakest point is issues like closing sales, marketing etc.

@EDragon Jewelry Designer sounds like a great career, I dunno how good you are but you should try that (if you wish to) and keep the dev job as a side hustle (or the other way around, totally upto you :-) ), Why don't you try putting up/selling your designs online (try etsy.com maybe).

@inhamul I haven’t ruled it out completely, I used to sell on Etsy but they take a ridiculous chunk of whatever does sell so it doesn’t seem financially worth it. I’m trying to build my skills as a developer & rewriting my old projects & making random things aimlessly is not cutting it. I need to be around other developers so I can learn! I do much better with specific goals, otherwise I overwhelm myself with all the options & never end up moving in any particular direction.

In case anybody was wondering, I know a friend of my family that runs her own marketing firm and she is looking for a developer. How do I reach out? do I just let them know I'm looking for gigs?

eek!! I hate how awkward and introverted I am!!

@EDragon you're a dev, shes a marketer, shes *needs* a dev.

how do you reach out?

thats usually the question that people ask wheb they want to "maximize chances of success", but really it is what people ask when they want to minimize risk of rejection.

I would find out what her main contact in the family is, and pass along the info on a visit or phone call. Say "hey I heard shes looking for someone.."

or just call her out of the blue. Say hey, I heard you're a friend of the family in need of a dev.

Directness, rather than "rudeness", is something that many marketers *greatly* appreciate. So many people take forever to get to the point or dont tell us what they want so the job revolves around 1. herding them like cats into roundabout telling us, 2. convincing them of some decision.

universaly people dont weigh their options. so if you get in early she might just say "sure why not."

however you WILL fail this opportunity if you dont at least call and say hi.

@Wisecrack I appreciate your advice so much! so I did reach out via linkedin which I know it's not a phone call but I requested her as a contact and sent her a message. She did say she was looking to add a dev part time as it is a small local company. I told her I am very familiar with the tech she is using (she mentioned it) and I sent her my resume.

I forget how to talk to non-dev people. I sent her my resume and told her she can follow the links to my projects and portfolio etc. as well as said I'd love to learn more about what I could contribute to her team. That was yesterday and I have yet to hear back.

@Wisecrack ANNNND you are absolutely correct about "how do I reach out" being a fear of rejection, it is! I guess I'm also worried about putting someone one on the spot, you know

@EDragon thanks for the response. I can tell you fron experience waiting a day or three for a response doesnt really tell you anything about the person. I can tell you, if she genuinely needs someone she wont feel imposed on at all, she'll be *grateful*. Get in her headspace. She already has to cold call people. Anyone that comes to her as someone who is there to fill a hole in her business is making *her* job easier. I'm sure you may remember how it felt for you sometime in the past when someone made your job or day easier, what a relief it must have been. and if you want you can hold onto that feeling when you call for jobs if you want.

I like to think of offering a product or service the same way I think of icecream at baskin robbins or the grocery aisle: everything you offer is just one option. some people want different things but theres always someone who will come along wanting what you are offering. imagine how disappointed *they* would be if they knew who they missed out on.

You might find some advice on the community discord here

https://discord.gg/Cc8Ttmg

@AlgoRythm thanks!!