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Ask YC: Are you working on your startup/side-project strictly in your spare time?

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Ask YC: Are you working on your startup/side-project strictly in your spare time?

#1

Post by tonyvt2005 »

If so, what keeps you from working on the startup full-time? Obviously there are many reasons people don't make the leap.

1. Personal reasons / family obligations

2. Can't afford to lose the salary (could tie into 1)

3. You enjoy your day job.

4. You don't think you're capable or have enough experience.

5. You're waiting for that "killer idea".

6. You have the idea you want to go with but you're waiting for some semblance of success ("We have x # of users now, I think we're on to something...")

7. You haven't found the right people to work with.

(EDIT) 8. You're not doing it for the money. You want to build something cool for yourself, your friends, etc.

I'm sure there are many more reasons. What is yours?

Re: Ask YC: Are you working on your startup/side-project strictly in your spare time?

#2

Post by pragmatic »

I make a pretty good salary at my current job. I have a young son at home and I provide all the benefits. My salary could be replace, my benefits would be much harder to replace.

So nights, weekends, lunchbreaks, etc, I'm writing and hacking away...

Re: Ask YC: Are you working on your startup/side-project strictly in your spare time?

#3

Post by tonyvt2005 »

To answer my own question, I think I'm a combination of 2, 6, and 8.

I make a decent salary working on a project for the DoD. It's a project that's fairly interesting and to top it off we get to use Rails, which I enjoy using and learning. If I didn't feel like I was getting anything out of the job then I'd probably look to something else.

I don't really feel a sense of urgency to strike it rich yet. I just want to build something cool. For now I'm happy just working at my own pace and trying to maintain a decent work-life balance. I'm in grad school part time and once that's over I'll have more time for my personal projects.

Re: Ask YC: Are you working on your startup/side-project strictly in your spare time?

#4

Post by tonyvt2005 »

pragmatic wrote: post #2

I make a pretty good salary at my current job. I have a young son at home and I provide all the benefits. My salary could be replace, my benefits would be much harder to replace. So nights, weekends, lunchbreaks, etc, I'm writing and hacking away...

Yeah, benefits can be a big deal. I work for a small defense contractor and they're paying for me to go to grad school.

There's certainly nothing wrong with taking the safer route when you have a family to provide for.

Re: Ask YC: Are you working on your startup/side-project strictly in your spare time?

#5

Post by procrastitron »

Remember, creative activities can be their own reward. In those cases profitability pretty much goes out the window.

For instance, my current side project is based on my personal interests and probably could not make for a successful business. It's an operating system project and obviously, that space is already taken. However, none of the current operating systems appeal to my technical aesthetics, so I decided to start my own.

Re: Ask YC: Are you working on your startup/side-project strictly in your spare time?

#6

Post by larryfreeman »

I've planned my departure from my current gig in 2 years.

The main reason for the delay is that I need to regain my technical edge. I've been a manager for 7+ years and am not at the level I once was.

I'm also playing around with some ideas. If I end up with something interesting, then I will launch the start up earlier.

Re: Ask YC: Are you working on your startup/side-project strictly in your spare time?

#7

Post by tonyvt2005 »

procrastitron wrote: post #5

Remember, creative activities can be their own reward. In those cases profitability pretty much goes out the window. For instance, my current side project is based on my personal interests and probably could not make for a successful business. It's an operating system project and obviously, that space is already taken. However, none of the current operating systems appeal to my technical aesthetics, so I decided to s…

Definitely, I agree. I should add that to my list.

I'd still develop software as a hobby even if there was no money in it.

Re: Ask YC: Are you working on your startup/side-project strictly in your spare time?

#8

Post by wallflower »

Great question. I think it's ok to deep-dive in (as long as you wade in). I know some friends who have always worked for themselves, and I am always impressed at their constant confidence. I observe some older folks (and even some around my age) at work and I see they're going through the motions sometimes - I don't want to be them. Build something with passion..

I'm starting to learn Ruby/Ruby on Rails on my train commute. I'm doing this to broaden my skill set (specialize in Java for my job). It's slow going at times and sometimes I only do 15 minutes a day.

A major project at work has (almost) come to an end (1.0). And I'm worried about the inevitable screeching-to-a-halt (from overtime busy to idle bored). As a result, a few of us at work are thinking of pitching a Ruby on Rails project to key decision makers (it would be perfect for the application in mind). I'm almost convinced I'll need to build the prototype on weekends (but once we have it - it will sell itself - and they'll give us the go ahead). And the best thing is when we successfully sell the prototype, I'll be able to officially use Ruby on Rails on company time..

Of course, I have a small laundry list of projects involving web mashups/integrations that I want to implement (with RoR). Like procrastitron stated, all of them are projects I would use and if other people liked them (side benefit). I had trouble with pointers ten years ago so Objective-C is probably a stretch - I'll throw this iPhone application idea out there - I got a seeming mass text from a friend 'Hey how are you. What are you up to' - iPhone app idea: Group broadcast SMS "mail merge" - Hey . I haven't talked to you in What's new?'

If I had a long-term plan... it's trying to diversify my technological skill set. And, I'm constantly trying to diversify my overall portfolio with long-term side projects like Salsa dancing and public speaking (with the aim of getting out of technology [maybe]). I find I learn (about startups, business, and the business of technology) by osmosis just by reading news.YC. I love the news.YC community (8aweek keeps it from being an obsession but I cheat on the weekends).

Re: Ask YC: Are you working on your startup/side-project strictly in your spare time?

#9

Post by staunch »

larryfreeman wrote: post #6

I've planned my departure from my current gig in 2 years. The main reason for the delay is that I need to regain my technical edge. I've been a manager for 7+ years and am not at the level I once was. I'm also playing around with some ideas. If I end up with something interesting, then I will launch the start up earlier.

I think you'd regain that technical edge a lot faster if you were the sysadmin, programmer, dba, network guy, etc.
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