When you exit a project, does it matter who the buyer is and its future?
A few years ago, I got into a company that had been on the market around for 7 years and was a bit of a love brand among open source apps.
Then the company was bought by an Israeli company and I saw how the quality of the apps, the way they were managed and the monetization model went downhill.
From a set of popular apps, suddenly hate started on Reddit and no one recommends them.
I only worked on the project for 6 months, but I still found the genesis of this story quite sad.
At the same time, I understand that it is a product and the founder has to depersonalize himself... but still...
If you exited a project, would you care what name and reputation it would have after the buyout?
Do you know similar stories to this one? (and maybe also some with a happy ending? (Let's not have a depressing weekend.) 😀
Replies
It really depends on why you exited and how emotionally attached you were to the product.
If you were burned out, exhausted, or just didn’t want to fight anymore, I think it's natural not to care much afterward.
But if you still wanted to build and had to exit due to external reasons, like financial pressure or investor push, you’ll probably still care a lot.
I was once part of a startup that I helped grow almost from scratch to around 100 million in valuation. Then, due to a misalignment with the board, we were pushed out. Not because we wanted to leave, but because we had to.
Ironically, the company hit breakeven shortly after. But later they asked us to come back, because while they were good at optimizing, they lacked people who could create new things and drive growth.
@hwiidg I agree with the emotional part - you can feel it as if it was your baby
@hwiidg Can the name of the company be told? :D No, just kidding, no pressure.
That's exactly my problem. When I created a project, I was attached to it too much.
That's why I started with my brand, because I cannot detach myself (my personality) from personal brand – we are one. (The downside: my brand cannot be sold, I can only lend my name to some project. Huge win: I can be more sustainable and consistent as IT'S ME, ABOUT ME and CREATED BY ME.
@busmark_w_nika My previous company was a local ride-hailing startup, so you probably wouldn’t know it. I think they weren’t wrong. When there are fundamental disagreements, sometimes people have to make hard choices. We still have mutual respect for each other.
And honestly, I think your choice was a smart one.
It’s a sustainable strategy because no one can push you out of a brand that’s built on you.
If I ever reach financial freedom, I’d probably follow the same path.
@hwiidg Hopefully, I will stick to my international brand longer than my local (Slovak) brand – yeah, I used to have a separate account for the Slovak/Czech community and was active there for 3 years :D
@byalexai That is quite a good deal. But very difficult to find an acquisition partner who would be okay with this model.
@busmark_w_nika why? What's the downside for you as a buyer?
@byalexai it depends on the buyer, but the company that acquired the apps I have been working for wanted to have full control of it (because they wanted to increase the pricing, lower the costs and at the same time, apply in-app ads). The cost of it was that the CEO stepped down (left), and apps lost their quality and prominence.
@busmark_w_nika it also depends on the experience/expertise (team capacity) of the buyer. I know other buyers who prefer to have the seller for the first couple of months. I was in negotiation to acquire a website and the seller was ready to help me for the initial 5-6 months.
Atlas
No. It doesn't matter to me! As long as the price is right. :'-D
@smith_at_atlas Ooooo :D That's bold, but fair enough :D I need to learn from you, because some decisions are hard to make for myself atm :D
IXORD
I think everyone who has worked for a long time in a company, it is already turning into not just a job, but like one big family. And when a company loses its reputation, it will be sad for everyone.
@ixord I have heard that we shouldn't attach ourselves to the company, because if it is too big, you are taken as a number and your work is transactional. They want from you loyalty but as soon as you are not needed "Bye, Bye" :D
IXORD
@busmark_w_nika Yes, in a way that's how it works. But if it's not the company that chooses you, but you choose the company, then the picture may be different. But it really depends on each company, so you're right.
@howell4change TBH, if I saw that someone messes up my previous project and damages my reputation tied to it, I would be mad at him/her + mad at me. :D