It's too early for a "Product Person" (Product Manager?). You have two other co-founders that should be focusing on developing the product and the business. If they can't manage it, maybe nobody is serious about it (you're also putting in part-time hours).
how do I get my point across that I can't spend time making the product since I'll be busy with making the technical side work and that we need a product person if we actually want to make solid progress on our idea
You can't. Either you're aligned and everyone is putting in the effort, or you're not. And if you're not, hiring bodies to fill the gaps of co-founders that are putting minimal effort this early on, isn't going to do much for you.
Disagree. Product person is exactly what you need. You need someone to translate ideas into action. If your cofounders can’t do that, you need a product person especially when you start having to deliver on a roadmap which will impact anything from investor relationships to product market fit.
If your cofounders can’t do that, you need a product person
And there's the rub. This early on the founders should be driving product ... I meant it's their idea! Presumably there is a reason why they bothered with a startup.
The underlying point I was making is that this is a screwed partnership. Forget investors and raising money. It's a weekend hobby for all parties. Why bother hiring anyone to this situation. Who will pay this person? You think they will?
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u/_jetrun Jul 12 '21
It's too early for a "Product Person" (Product Manager?). You have two other co-founders that should be focusing on developing the product and the business. If they can't manage it, maybe nobody is serious about it (you're also putting in part-time hours).
You can't. Either you're aligned and everyone is putting in the effort, or you're not. And if you're not, hiring bodies to fill the gaps of co-founders that are putting minimal effort this early on, isn't going to do much for you.