Self interview with two entrepreneurs

We're trying something different, instead of finding a big name to interview, we asked ourselves relevant questions about our start-up.

What's the hardest part of a start-up?

"I'd have to say that the hardest part of a start-up is how demoralizing it can be. One day you're unbeatable and the next day the world is beating you." - Mark

"I'd have to agree with Mark, it's a rollar coaster of a ride. Luckily we manage to buoy ourselves pretty well." - Alex

They say that opposites attract, is that the case in your start-up, do you have a Wozniak/Jobs dicotemy?

"I don't think that the lines are drawn that sharply between us. I think that we are both risk averse individuals. We can both dabble in code, and we both wear khakis. It's more of a Gates/Allen partnership." - Mark

"Really? I couldn't disagree more. Mark would be Jobs, I'd be Wozniak. I guess that shows you were we stand lol. " - Alex

How has your friendship changed now that you're working on a start-up, & how have other relationships been affected?

"The odd thing is that we never hung out before ClutterMe. We weren't even on a talking basis for the three years after we met. However, I always felt that Alex and I would start a company. We talked about much too often when we were interning at the bank together. I guess we had a verbal agreement. We were going to start a company together, it really didn't matter what." - Mark

"There was no such agreement. After I graduated from University I started working at the Ontario Telemedicine Health Network. My eyes really opened however, after Mark went for a Ycombinator interview. We weren't that far off. As for your other questions, I still find time to 'hang with the friends'. I think it's essential to maintaining your sanity in such an uncertain atmosphere - I enjoy any semblance of what passes as routine nowadays. And yes, once your friends initially grasp that you're doing a start-up, they are supportive, and wonderful like that." - Alex

So who does what, what's your specialty?

"We're both hackers originally. Admittedly, Alex has far surpassed me in hacking ability but I get by. This is not a knock on my hacking ability, but rather a compliment to Alex's. We both have pretty good marketing, and other soft skills. However, because the code has become so intertwined in Alex's mind, I've been doing much more of the non technical day to day issues." - Mark

"We have two rules, I get the good chair, I write the code. Everything else is handled by Mark, it's a pretty good arrangement" - Alex (parsed by Mark)

So... why?

"My fault." - Mark

"Mark's fault." - Alex

"Truthfully, I was tired of working for the man." - Alex

"I couldn't imagine myself doing anything else." - Mark

We'd love to hear your comments. If you would like to link back to us we'd appreciate it and be happy to return the favor.