Tell HN: A disabled 40-year-old person founded a startup and makes a living

Article summary

Michael Cao, a 40-year-old disabled person from Vietnam, co-founded a startup called 2HAC Studio with a Canadian friend during the COVID-19 pandemic. They developed Google Workspace add-ons, including a QR Code Attendance add-on, without hiring employees to keep costs low. The startup has survived and thrived, with over 5 million users, and Cao recommends that founders keep their main jobs and reduce spending during the early stages. Cao also encourages disabled and older people to pursue their ideas and make a difference.

Main themes

• startup success
• disability and entrepreneurship
• online communication
• editorial changes
• respect and consideration
• Hacker News interface

What commenters say

• Adding line breaks and formatting to someone's text can be helpful, but it's also important to consider the potential impact on the author's identity and voice.
• Some people appreciate editorial changes to their text, while others may find it offensive or annoying.
• It's respectful to issue a disclaimer when making changes to someone's text, especially if it involves correcting grammar or wording.
• The Hacker News interface can be simple but also has its quirks, such as requiring two lines to make a line break.
• Editing someone's text without being asked can be seen as presumptuous or condescending.
• The decision to edit or not edit someone's text depends on the context and the relationship between the editor and the author.
• Respecting the author's original voice and intent is crucial when making editorial changes.
• Being considerate of others' feelings and perspectives is essential in online interactions, even when trying to be helpful.