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Ask HN: Considering quitting my day job to work on my startups

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Re: Ask HN: Considering quitting my day job to work on my startups

#11

Post by ulysses »

1.) Are either of the startups making any money now? Are there good prospects for either of them to start making money soon? Do you have any other financial obligations?

If there are good financial prospects for one or both startups, and you can live for a year on your savings, and you have no other financial obligations, I don't see why you wouldn't take the plunge. Even if the startups don't work out, you will probably have substantially increased your skillset in a year.

2.) On the one hand, you shouldn't screw your current employer. On the other hand, if they can't find a developer after several months of trying, that's their problem, not yours.

Try to make the transition as smooth as possible for them, but don't stay just because they can't hire.

Re: Ask HN: Considering quitting my day job to work on my startups

#12

Post by jonsmock »

answerly wrote: post #2

>but it's still a large gamble. I know it seems like a big gamble room your current vantage point, but it really isn't. You are an entrepreneurial developer in a tech economy where that skill set is at a premium (at least in startup hubs like the bay area). It seems like the worst case scenario is that you end up getting a job at another startup if your projects don't work out. Good luck!

The only pushback is that you are risking your savings on this, so it's still a big decision (maybe not gamble exactly, depending on how you look at it). There's always opportunity cost at risk.

However, I know I personally work best when I focus on one thing, or at most two. Seems like you have too much on your plate, so I would recommend cutting something as soon as you reasonably can.

Re: Ask HN: Considering quitting my day job to work on my startups

#14

Post by podman »

ulysses wrote: post #11

1.) Are either of the startups making any money now? Are there good prospects for either of them to start making money soon? Do you have any other financial obligations? If there are good financial prospects for one or both startups, and you can live for a year on your savings, and you have no other financial obligations, I don't see why you wouldn't take the plunge. Even if the startups don't work out, you will prob…

1) Both start ups are making money now. And my only financial obligations are rent + utilities + food and misc stuff.

One is B2B and the other is B2C. The B2B obviously has a smaller market but the ARPU is fairly high. If it continues to grow the way it's growing it should be able to support me soon. The B2C has a much larger market but the ARPU is much lower. I'm having a harder time getting traction with that one but haven't done any marketing. If things go well, it has a lot of potential to make a lot of money. If both are successful, they should more than be able to support me.

2) I feel like I'll be screwing my employer either way. If I don't quit or go part time, I'll be wasting their time and money. If I leave, and they can't find a replacement, they'll be down a developer for who knows how long.

Re: Ask HN: Considering quitting my day job to work on my startups

#16

Post by smokinn »

wccrawford wrote: post #10

Either get your head back in the game, or quit. You aren't doing your employer -any- favors by taking his money when your productivity has "dropped to almost nothing".

You aren't doing your employer -any- favors

Normally I'd agree but in this specific case it sounded like he's the only developer. Being around just so fires can be quickly put out and so that you can transfer knowledge when the new hire arrives is definitely worth something to the employer.

Re: Ask HN: Considering quitting my day job to work on my startups

#19

Post by brianmwang »

podman wrote: post #6
Eugene3v wrote: post #4

I chose to quit my full time job for the benefit of my own startup, the difference was I hated the company that I was working for and I hated the job... In your case I would suggest to look into a part time deal. It seems like you have a good rapport with your employer and u have the integrity and the dignity to realize what is fair and such... See, if u can reduce your involvement with your employer to say 30%.. Jus…

I've considered this, but I'm not sure how they would respond. If I'm open and tell them I'm not 100% committed to my work there, I'm not sure they'd still want me to work there anyway. I think I have to be prepared for the worst case if I even bring up part time with them.

One thing you may want to consider is proposing a part-time arrangement with an agreement to end employment permanently at some date. This is, of course, assuming you are willing to quit the job for good. However, this has been working out quite well for me as it affords me significantly more time to work on my startup while removing the need to hide intentions at the day job.

Re: Ask HN: Considering quitting my day job to work on my startups

#20

Post by podman »

smokinn wrote: post #16
wccrawford wrote: post #10

Either get your head back in the game, or quit. You aren't doing your employer -any- favors by taking his money when your productivity has "dropped to almost nothing".

You aren't doing your employer -any- favors Normally I'd agree but in this specific case it sounded like he's the only developer. Being around just so fires can be quickly put out and so that you can transfer knowledge when the new hire arrives is definitely worth something to the employer.

There are actually three other developers so it wouldn't be the end of the word for them, so to speak.
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