So we have an idea... next step, figure out the execution plan. The plan was questionable at best and ever-evolving. It started with learning podcasts, books, articles, playing around with LucidChart, calling friends... How do I make a software platform? How do I drive software development? How do I deliver my idea in a way that even gets me good feedback? Do I need a domestic or global developer, blended rate? Piece a solution together or build from scratch? It started with research, full-stack development on LinkedIn Learning and calls with our in-house experts (friends, family and anyone who would talk to us for free). First lesson learned: some people are just willing to help, don't be afraid to ask for a phone call.
I (Paige), by nature am a slow and steady methodical planner; my husband (Ben) is a "let's make it happen captain" as fast as humanly possible. "Move fast and break things" — Mark Zuckerberg. A little concerning motto for your airline pilot, and a scrappy startup with little experience, backing, and not to mention the fact that neither of us are Mark freaking Zuckerberg. We decided we needed a combination of our two approaches and started to thrive under the motto: "Never ready, prepared enough." — Paige.
We decided whether to file a provisional patent (ultimately deciding the ~$8k–13k cost and the 1-year time limit made it the wrong move at our stage). We established an LLC in Delaware via Zen Business with both of us as owners [Raising Reimagined, LLC], filed for a trademark on "Raising Reimagined" through LegalZoom, and secured all related domains through Google Domains.
We turned to Upwork, vetted ~30 developers, built a Request for Proposal (RFP) and a slide deck. It came down to three candidates: a team in India, a blended US/Croatia/India team, and a domestic Milwaukee family business. We chose the Milwaukee family business — they got the vision, were excited, communicative, and available. Never ready, prepared enough.