Creating Paper Street Games was an exciting, albeit stressful, journey. While it’s tempting to say I “gave it my all” and learned from the experience, the reality is more nuanced. I believe the underlying reasons for closing the company are more complex.
The Mass-Production Cycle and Burnout
My initial strategy involved rapid development and release of minimum viable products. This iterative approach allowed for continuous improvement based on user feedback and market analysis. While successful in terms of increasing quality and revenue, this relentless pace led to significant burnout. The constant pressure to maintain and exceed previous performance became unsustainable.
The Plateau and the Long Wait for the Jackpot
Early on, I experienced rapid growth with each game release. However, this growth eventually plateaued. While I believed in the potential for a “breakthrough” hit, the prospect of waiting years for that moment was daunting. The company lacked the financial stability to sustain itself indefinitely while waiting for this hypothetical success.
Key Learnings
1. Value Your Time and Resources
Initially, I was overly cautious with my seed funding. I attempted to handle many tasks myself, from design and development to marketing and even printing business cards. This led to wasted time and effort that could have been better spent by investing in professional services.
2. People Are Your Greatest Asset
I initially undervalued the importance of building a strong team. While I had access to talented individuals through an incubator program, I failed to leverage their expertise. I should have invested in hiring skilled professionals early on, rather than attempting to do everything myself. This experience has reinforced the critical role of teamwork in achieving success.
3. Focus on Meaningful Metrics
I initially fixated on vanity metrics like download numbers and social media shares, neglecting to analyze more meaningful data. For example, I overlooked crucial indicators such as long-term user engagement (e.g., daily active users) and the true value of social media interactions.
Closing Paper Street Games was a difficult but ultimately necessary decision. These experiences have provided invaluable lessons about the importance of resource allocation, team building, and identifying truly meaningful metrics. I believe these learnings will be invaluable as I navigate future entrepreneurial endeavors.
