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Thanks HN: Goodbye, Golden Handcuffs

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Re: Thanks HN: Goodbye, Golden Handcuffs

#61
post #44
post #34

Let the [work] begin. FTFY I hope you're prepared to work at least five times harder than you did at your safe job, and for little to no guaranteed reward. Actually, if you're only giving yourself six months, make that ten times harder. I would say good luck, but considering around 90% of startups fail, work hard, be persistent and expect difficulty, seems more helpful to say. The success stories appearing on HN can…

The comments and/or advice you're giving (and the tone you're using) are the type of things you say to someone before they decide to make the jump if you want them to think long and hard before making a tough decision. When you say it like this to someone who is announcing that his decision is made, you just sound condescending. It doesn't help that you throw in a bunch of advice when you don't even know who he is, w…

There's nothing wrong with a bit of honesty.

You need to be mentality prepared for the difficulties inherent in starting a business all by yourself. It is a different set of challenges then corporate life and the more you understand that ahead of time the better off you'll be.

I appreciate advice like that over a superfluous "good luck", "you made the right choice"< etc.

Re: Thanks HN: Goodbye, Golden Handcuffs

#62
post #54
post #28

Congratulations on making the most important decision of your life and, secondarily, on opening the business. Words cannot express how much better self-employment is than what I used to do for a living.

Well, it's only good if it's making you money...

It's only sustainable if it's making you money. It's always good, even when it's bad.

Re: Thanks HN: Goodbye, Golden Handcuffs

#63
post #54
post #28

Congratulations on making the most important decision of your life and, secondarily, on opening the business. Words cannot express how much better self-employment is than what I used to do for a living.

Well, it's only good if it's making you money...

I disagree. I spent 3.5 years doing the startup thing. I made effectively no money. Knowing what I know now, I'd do it again in a heartbeat, no questions asked. I learned more and grew up more in that time than in the rest of my life.

Re: Thanks HN: Goodbye, Golden Handcuffs

#64
post #63
post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, it's only good if it's making you money...

I disagree. I spent 3.5 years doing the startup thing. I made effectively no money. Knowing what I know now, I'd do it again in a heartbeat, no questions asked. I learned more and grew up more in that time than in the rest of my life.

How did you afford food/rent if you made no money?

Re: Thanks HN: Goodbye, Golden Handcuffs

#65
post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, it's only good if it's making you money...

It's only sustainable if it's making you money. It's always good, even when it's bad.

It depends on your definition of good, then... It's certainly enjoyable, but if you lost years of your life and have nothing to show for it, I wouldn't consider it a tremendous success. That said, there's nothing I'd want to do more than having a startup.

Re: Thanks HN: Goodbye, Golden Handcuffs

#66
this is a great way to go.

i left my job with no savings and intending to do the same thing, because i was just not happy with my position at my new employer.

within three months i was completely broke, but with a github account with hundreds of commits.. and then my old boss from my second-to-last job called, and offered me job back, at a huge raise, and allowing me to work remotely, and pursue my own codebase/startup dream on the side.

quitting for the right reasons can have wonderful side benefits. :)

Re: Thanks HN: Goodbye, Golden Handcuffs

#69
post #13

Congrats :) If you're in SF, let me know We have a sweet co-working space for hackers with all of the three C's: coffee, camaraderie, and a fast connection

In the Bay Area here. Where/what is your coworking space in SF?

Another SF-based startup here - I would love to know as well. We usually work out of my apartment (don't tell my landlord!) but getting a change of scenery from time to time would be nice.

Re: Thanks HN: Goodbye, Golden Handcuffs

#70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's only sustainable if it's making you money. It's always good, even when it's bad.

It depends on your definition of good, then... It's certainly enjoyable, but if you lost years of your life and have nothing to show for it, I wouldn't consider it a tremendous success. That said, there's nothing I'd want to do more than having a startup.

if you lost years of your life and have nothing to show for it

If you have nothing to show for it, you haven't actually started a startup. You may not get a 7 figure bank balance to show for it, but you'll get something out it. Be it a website you can show off, better anecdotes for job interviews & parties or a network of new friends.

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