Ask HN: Quitting my job tomorrow, advice?

I believe they will be receptive to this idea, what things should I try to negotiate?

I have not signed any non-competes or non-disclosures and haven't discussed the idea with anyone or started writing business specific code yet, to be safe; so I don't need to ask permission.

However, I'd like to try to convert them into a paying client for a product that we'd discussed nearly 2 years ago but haven't implemented (it's been effectively killed).

If anyone had any advice or has successfully done this, I'd love to hear your advice.

-- disclaimer: I understand most people here aren't lawyers, I am not soliciting legal advice. I am just looking for personal advice from a group of peers in order to better form an opinion. I promise I'll treat all of this as advice. Thanks

The point at which you are leaving isn't probably the best time to look for business. Just try to leave without burning bridges, which usually means saying very little.

I don't think you should sell your idea before you build it. Tell your boss about your ambitions to do a startup, and how you saw an opportunity that you believe is very promising, which is the reason you are quitting.

Tell your boss that you always looked up to him, and ask if you two can stay in touch and ask him for some advices for later. If he replies affirmatively, stay in touch, and exchange Emails from time to time, and then when your product is available, ask him to dinner and pitch it to him.

If he replies no, then he's probably not too pleased with your leaving, thus it wouldn't be a good idea to pitch anything. Save it for later.

Best of luck man!

Actually, if I were to negotiate something, it would be the possibility to do consulting work if I needed more money while building the other business.

Cross that bridge when you have a working version 1.0. A heads up might just cause the project to revive. And if you pivot after telling them your plans, you may leave them hanging.

Most importantly, don't make your business model dependent on having your former company as a customer. The most sincere intentions to funnel business towards you may go unfulfilled, even when the benefits of working with you appear obvious. Don't kid yourself, you are a potential competitor.

My advice is to leave on the best terms possible and consider your former employers as part of your business network. Call and go to lunch once a month or so. It's the social relationship that will have the largest payoff in the long haul.

Good luck.