The Unexpected Gift of Building in Public
One of the most surprising parts of building hili has been discovering how many incredibly talented people are excited to help in any way they can. It’s certainly not because they have to, but because they genuinely want to be part of something meaningful.
When I first started talking about hili, I expected polite nods and maybe some casual encouragement. What I didn't expect were the amazingly talented designers from previous companies who reached out saying, "This sounds amazing—want to do a design jam session?" Or the seasoned engineer who's been having calls with me about my technical feasibility questions and architectural approaches. People willing to share their journeys with me and really listen to what I’m trying to do in order to provide the most meaningful advice.
These conversations happen over coffee, in Slack DMs, and Zoom. They're filled with genuine curiosity and creative energy that's honestly infectious and carries me through the tough aspects of being a founder. People light up when they start to really get hili's potential, and can’t stop themselves from sketching user flows on napkins or brainstorming community features during lunch breaks.
What strikes me most is how these incredibly talented individuals seem genuinely energized by the opportunity to think creatively and contribute their expertise to something they believe in. There's a spark in these conversations that feels different—like we're building something together rather than just executing someone else's vision.
Every piece of feedback, every brainstorming session, every "have you considered this?" message has shaped hili in ways I couldn't have imagined working alone. From the content strategist who helped refine our messaging to the marketing manager who challenged my assumptions about my GTM strategy, each conversation has made hili better.
Building hili has taught me that when you're creating something people genuinely want to exist, they don't just become users—they become collaborators, advocates, and creative partners. They invest their time, expertise, and enthusiasm because they want to see it succeed.
To everyone who has shared an idea, given feedback, designed a screen, or simply said "this could really work"—thank you. You're not just helping me build a product; you're helping create something that reflects the best of what happens when talented people come together around a shared vision. This is exactly the kind of authentic collaboration that hili is designed to foster, and I couldn't be more grateful to experience it firsthand.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”