When I go on Facebook, one of the first things I always do is check out the photos. What better way to waste a few minutes that by scrolling through all the meals your friends have eaten recently, pictures of their cutest baby in the world and reminders that everyone these days wears a strapless dress when they get married?
In all seriousness, pretty much everyone loves photos. That’s the idea that Alon Schachter was working with when he launched his website Social-Photos. This aggregate site lets users view all of the social network photos that they get on Twitter and Facebook in one place, kind of like the Photos option on Facebook. It’s a great resource for those of us who follow primarily photo-driven Tweeters.
Alon took some time to chat with us about his site and, interestingly, ballroom dancing.
How’d you come up with the name for your company?
Well, our name is pretty straightforward. I contemplated at first between choosing such a “simple” name as opposed to “inventing” a new word in the english language and then branding it, but since this is such a straightforward application I decided that it deserves a straightforward name.
What’s the very first thing you do at work everyday?
I spend about 30 minutes on my bed/sofa to think. That’s the first thing I do every day. I look at where I am and what I have and I’m refining my direction on a daily basis. Then when I’m motivated I get to my daily work routine.
How many people did you start the company with and how many people work for you now?
This is as new as can be. For the moment it’s just me. I’m a web developer who likes to invent and to think outside the box and create my own projects.
Remember the early days starting up? Maybe you can share one anecdote that describe the struggle you went through?
Ask me again in a year or so after Twitter or Facebook decide to buy me out.
How do you handle frustration? When/how was the last time you dealt with frustration?
I dance. I’m a competitive ballroom dancer and the studio is a good arena to forget about frustrations and just flow…
What’s your office environment like? Is it the kind of place where everyone is bumpin’ away to house music or is it more traditional?
Well, since most of the time I work at home, house music is more then welcomed. I can’t think when it’s quiet.
Who or what inspires YOU? Role models? Quotes? Running? Video games? Snack food? Give us the deets, dude!
People who are inventive and have initiative inspire me. As for role models, I can name a few good ballroom dancers who work and invent and dedicate themselves to get to where they are. These people inspire me.
How’d you fund this venture? VC? Self-funding? Crowd-funded? Where’d you get the money, man?
Well, I have several other projects that I work on so I already have my own servers. This is all the funding I need since I develop everything I need by myself.
Got any great bootstrapping tips for the lean startups out there?
Do it right, not quickly.
What would you be doing if you had one year off and $500,000 to spend (and you couldn’t spend it on your currently startup / projects).
Travel the world… in a Lamborghini!
Do you consider yourself a successful entrepreneur right now? If not, what’s it gonna take to make you feel successful?
Not quite yet. I guess success on my line of work is measured by how the web responds to you.
Website you couldn’t live without and why?
I hate to say it, but Facebook.Too much information in life to keep track of any other way.
Mobile App you’re in love with and why?
“Star Warfare.” Good game. nicely done. Keeps me busy for hours…
Dogs or cats?
Dogs! Cats are a bit fishy…
iOS or Android?
iOS
What’s the greatest thing about your company/website/idea?
[Social-Photos] lets you view the best part of social networks – Pictures!
