you could look a businesses out side of developing a platform. something without intellectual property.
Ask HN: How to start a business while working a 9-5 coding job?
11–20 of 28 posts
Re: Ask HN: How to start a business while working a 9-5 coding job?
#12Don't forget to make working plan when work home.
Re: Ask HN: How to start a business while working a 9-5 coding job?
#13Talk to a lawyer and see if the agreement is enforceable or if it would be thrown out in court. From there you know how you can proceed.
Re: Ask HN: How to start a business while working a 9-5 coding job?
#141. Find another job where there is no agreement
2. Work on your side project after work and on the weekends
3. If you see it's picking up, quit
No excuses...
Re: Ask HN: How to start a business while working a 9-5 coding job?
#15Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it difficult for the employer to prove if you worked on your business while employed? Suppose you don't keep a timestamped code repository, do your market validation work that looks generic (web browsing, some calls and emails to prospective customers), don't use any company equipment, and last but not least do not blast online that you are the owner of a business.
You can then quit when it looks like the business can start generating money, and your employer would be none the wiser, right? Or heck, keep on working as how would they find out? Unless you will need to take investment, you can just keep it a secret?
Re: Ask HN: How to start a business while working a 9-5 coding job?
#16This is a really interesting topic. I think almost every developer dreams about his own business or product. I personally don't see that sitting minimum 8 hours per day for someone else makes sense, but on the other side at the same time, you are safe, someone else takes care about lot of things for you.
It's hard to project any path which leads to own successful business. So far what I have seen is that only thing that counts here are balls, if you know what I mean :)
One of the ways which is reasonable for me, is to first try to switch to freelancing and there you can test and see are you actually able to take care about lot of things that are usually done by the company, and btw those things are not coding. With your experience and knowledge you should be able to find really good freelancing jobs or you can even try to join some platform for freelancers...
Being a freelancer is almost the same as starting your own business. Later if you see that you can earn lot more money or to hire some geeks, just open a company and take a next step.
Re: Ask HN: How to start a business while working a 9-5 coding job?
#17If you create something Not related to your job you are safe about the f*ng non-compete.
How to start?
2. Wake up at 5am and work 2 hours daily.
1. But most important, just create a landing page to see if there are any signups before you spend a year working on it.
3. If there's any interest, work on a minimal paying version that has a positive cash flow from day one.
4. Sales and marketing. Invest in a good ad campaign, word of mouth, and some user research if you can.
5. Fail fast, try more than one marketing idea.
Re: Ask HN: How to start a business while working a 9-5 coding job?
#18IANAL but unless you are actually competing with your employer, you are fine.
I have worked in major companies and heard far too many developers whining about their non-competes and not taking actions.
Then I know a few who never ever complained about non-compete or any other such non-sense. They are the ones who actually started companies. I am also one of them. Most of my ex-coworkers did their best to scare me and make me quit my sidebusiness but luckily I didn't listen to them.
Just be smart, respect your employer, don't steal their ideas, code, or time. Also don't brag about your sidebusiness. Your boss will have to file paperwork if they hears about your sidebusiness. Don't complicate life for them.
In the end, talk to lawyer just to cya.
Re: Ask HN: How to start a business while working a 9-5 coding job?
#19Re: Ask HN: How to start a business while working a 9-5 coding job?
#20First of all, talk to a lawyer if you have legal concerns. HN is not the right place to take advice about legal issues.
Second, I would explore the idea of working part-time. Last April I switched jobs and now work part-time at one company while having two days a week to work on my own software. I make enough money at my part-time job to give myself infinite runway (my personal expenses are low, I have health insurance through that job, and I'm still contributing to retirement/savings which is important to not overlook). In my opinion, this is a much better option than going freelance, as you only have to context switch between two projects and you always know you have a paycheck coming in the door.