I think starting anything in the coupon space is difficult as it's not about the technology, it's about the sales. Groupon has an extremely simple website...it is merely a platform to display the deals: their success is essentially totally driven by the massive sales force they have at work them.
I think that technology in this space will play a greater role in the future (mobile, targeting, etc.) but for now the winners are those who sign up the most businesses and the most consumers.
I don't think the author should give up on startups entirely; it sounds like they have indeed learnt some skills and can apply those to any number of future projects. At least they have worked out this space is not for them!
Don't worry, I haven't given up. :) Well, I haven't given up for good... in the short term, I just can't swing work+fam+startup. For now I'll just keep working on side projects and see if any of them make any headway. ;)
I think that technology in this space will play a greater role in the future (mobile, targeting, etc.) but for now the winners are those who sign up the most businesses and the most consumers.
I don't think the author should give up on startups entirely; it sounds like they have indeed learnt some skills and can apply those to any number of future projects. At least they have worked out this space is not for them!