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Ask HN: Should I find a job or try to build a profitable project?

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Re: Ask HN: Should I find a job or try to build a profitable project?

#101

Post by StriverGuy »

z3t4 wrote: post #67

Never risk your own money. But wasting time doesn't cost anything though. So make sure your expenses are covered, then go at it. And if you are having fun and learning stuff, then it's not a waste of time even if it fails. But you probably don't want to do it alone. It's better to own 10% of something, then 100% of nothing. Also validate your ideas before doing actual work . For example do a kick-starter, or a signup…

This completely ignores the true value of time. I would give up plenty of my own money for more time.

This is what drives people eventually hiring employees for their ventures and should not be undersold as a reasonable way to think about things.

Re: Ask HN: Should I find a job or try to build a profitable project?

#103

Post by aj-4 »

driven20 wrote: post #87
zaqwsxcde12 wrote: post #64

Take that 60K, go travel the world, it will go a long long way if you are thrifty about it. See how you feel about your project when you come back or work on it while traveling. Bet you will feel different whether your projects survives or not. Ignore all this you need to buy a house garbage, do you want to spend your life investing for your retirement, for when your dick wont work or live now, that is the question.…

This sounds like what Phil Knight did in Shoe Dogs...haha. This is good advice. I have traveled to Iceland, China, and I'm going to Europe this summer. Granted those were more like vacations than long term travel. Thanks for the exception comment, I know this statistically, but I also know I'm so far behind some people on HN, /r/personalfinance, and indie hackers. I know, I know... Comparison is the thief of joy. I'm…

just to add an extension to this "outside the box" idea:

with the exception of a few countries, being abroad is so much cheaper than the US.

if you plan to move to eastern europe or southeast asia, you will literally triple your runway - with $60k we're talking 5 years to succeed instead of 2.

getting out of your comfort zone will spark more creativity as well (just like shoe dog, great book btw)

if you know you want to do entrepreneurship, why consider anything else? with enough iterations, as long as you're learning and cycling quickly, you will eventually succeed.

Re: Ask HN: Should I find a job or try to build a profitable project?

#104

Post by rubicon33 »

driven20 wrote: post #97
longnguyen wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While I am on the same boat, there is definitely a caveat that you should aware. Those "easy" job you think might actually be hard, because of politics/bad managements/weird policies etc. And even if you're lucky enough to get a relaxing job, the differences between those 2 jobs might damage your mindset/thinking/focus.

This is what I'm afraid of...My previous job wasn't hard. What was tiring was forcing myself to work on stuff I don't care about.

This is one of those "have my cake and eat it too" scenarios.

You want a job that inspires you and which you care about AND you want to start a business or at least pursue some side projects which you think have a shot at making you money.

I've never seen that happen, personally. Something has to give whether it's your savings (you don't work a job) or your enjoyment of your job (you keep your savings).

I think for you given you've tried the "easy" job route and found it draining... You should spend your time now finding a job which excites you and energizes you. Put your time, and effort into that. When you have spare energy, work on your side projects.

Re: Ask HN: Should I find a job or try to build a profitable project?

#106

Post by z3t4 »

StriverGuy wrote: post #101
z3t4 wrote: post #67

Never risk your own money. But wasting time doesn't cost anything though. So make sure your expenses are covered, then go at it. And if you are having fun and learning stuff, then it's not a waste of time even if it fails. But you probably don't want to do it alone. It's better to own 10% of something, then 100% of nothing. Also validate your ideas before doing actual work . For example do a kick-starter, or a signup…

This completely ignores the true value of time. I would give up plenty of my own money for more time. This is what drives people eventually hiring employees for their ventures and should not be undersold as a reasonable way to think about things.

Theres opportunity cost. But you cant buy time in the past and you can not bye time in the future- only optimize it. There is only now!

Re: Ask HN: Should I find a job or try to build a profitable project?

#107

Post by MH15 »

cldellow wrote: post #84
accrual wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This comment resonates with me. Is there a good resource for packing up your life and traveling for a while? Background: I have a great and interesting remote job but the workload is high relative to the salary. I have 1 years salary saved. I could ask for a raise, but I would much rather spend a year traveling and improving myself.

Any specific questions? My email is in my profile if you prefer thst. I'm currently on a five month break with my wife. The first two months were in an apartment in the south of France, currently hiking though Loch Lomond and then a couple months in Edinburgh. It's pretty good! Probably shouldn't have waited 10 years to do this.

A break from your wife or with your wife?

Re: Ask HN: Should I find a job or try to build a profitable project?

#108

Post by WheelsAtLarge »

Starting a business takes a high level of self control. Very few people have it. You should do a critical self assessment to make sure you have it. Since you have no job work on the business plan for your business and continue looking for a job. You will benefit from the experience even if you do not get a job. I advice that you carefully look at your self before you start the business. The big question is do you have the grit to get from nothing to a profitable business.

Re: Ask HN: Should I find a job or try to build a profitable project?

#109

Post by jakobegger »

beachy wrote: post #39
driven20 wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yea, I'm not sure they are great ideas. My reasoning for the productivity app is because I want to build something I personally need and I haven't found a good solution. The yelp-like app is because I know I want to work with small businesses. I just don't know exactly how yet. So, you're right. I need to spend more time on my ideas. Thanks!

Someone told me early on that dealing with small businesses was a nightmare. You'ld get Mom or Pop quibbling over a $75 bill, whereas enterprise customers will pay a $40K bill without batting an eye as long as the paperwork is in order. Over the years I've found the enterprise side of this to be true (although it will take forever to get them to sign in the first place and they'll sometimes pay their bills so late yo…

I've dealt with a few small businesses and none of them ever complained about price and they all paid their bills on time. They are usually very grateful that they have someone who is interested in doing their small projects.
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