Hello! 19yo in California. iPhone/iPad business!

**StephenMLevinson** · 12-20-2010 02:05 AM

Hello,

Well what an awesome forum this is! I can't believe it exists! My entrepreneurial self said "If you can't find a forum for entrepreneurs, make it." Well, I won't be making any forums anytime soon.

My name is Stephen and I'm 19 years old originally from NY but I'm now living in California. I developed an iPhone/iPad application for screenwriting that has taken off immensely and I am now working on an accelerometer based iPhone/iPad game. I don't code or anything. I hire a developer for that, as well as an artist for the layouts and design. I'm currently developing plush toy prototypes of the main characters of my new game and will be looking for investors after the game is completed for the toy-line and marketing campaign. Any investors on this site?

I was accepted to CalArts this past fall but after 4 weeks I withdrew to focus on my business and my game. I'd rather be making money than spending it on an education for a skill I'm no longer interested in pursuing (animation.)

My long term goals are to start my own production and animation company. From there I would like to start my own cartoon television network. There is so much wrong with the current industry, the content and how things are being run and I wan't to change that. I'm also going to re-invent 2D animation.

I look forward to meeting everyone on the forums and would be cool to work with some of you on something. Currently my hands are tied but maybe something down the line.

Best,
Stephen

**LP560** · 12-20-2010 02:49 AM

Welcome aboard!

I would love to hear more about your app development and experiences. I'm more interested in learning about the outsourcing that was involved

**StephenMLevinson** · 12-20-2010 03:06 AM

It's ironic that your username is LP560 as that is my current dream car. Going to get the GTR first though.

Anyways, outsourcing is a very...complex way of working. Don't get me wrong it's absolutely incredible, especially outsourcing developers because it is MUCH cheaper that way. However, the people you hire must be given step by step instructions on every single thing that needs to be done. They don't have too much imagination of their own to work off an idea. You must spoon feed them everything needed to be done if you want it done right.

But it is immensely challenging as well. Managing people, making sure they answer and are doing what you want, making sure they reach the deadlines and budget etc. I definitely think for my next app I'd be willing to lease an office and bring in the artists/developers/whoever.

I'd be happy to answer any more questions you have about that!

Thanks for responding!