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Why I Quit My Job to Start a Tech Company

viniciusvacanti.com

31–40 of 79 posts

Re: Why I Quit My Job to Start a Tech Company

#31
post #28

yipit, really? Yet another "Daily Deal" site is what the conf considered most likely to succeed?

they aren't just another "daily deal site"--they're trying to own the space. also, from what I hear, their yipit data product (data and analytics on the daily deal space) has already experienced good traction from hedge funds and others interested in this growing space.

Aren't both groupon and livingsocial trying to "own the space"?

Re: Why I Quit My Job to Start a Tech Company

#32
post #11

Pretty motivational stuff! Props!! 1) As an aside, he says his job was Private Equity Investor. Does that mean we worked for a hedge fund? 2) How does one get hired as a PEI right out of college? I'm just curious what skill set is required. What do they do exactly?

Private Equity is an asset class focusing on equity in non-public companies. Technically, even Venture Capital is a part of PE. But people have started using the term PE for investing in mid to late stage companies, and the term VC for investing in early stage companies. In other words, PE invests in growth, makes leveraged buyouts or buys distressed assets. Recently VCs are also getting into the growth stage, making the distinction between PE and VC difficult.

A lot of MBA students in top business schools dream of getting into PE firms after MBA. But only those who have some finance background (Investment Banking, for example) have a realistic shot of getting in.

Re: Why I Quit My Job to Start a Tech Company

#33
post #22
post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It seems like a baller gig like that would make it _easier_ to quit and start something up. You'd be able to save so much more money, than say, someone who took a typical Silicon Valley entry level programming job. If he had chosen to work at Google, he'd have been lucky to make 1/2 that.

I'd agree with your logic if he was in the tech industry, but he wasn't. He had 0 technical skills, his barrier to entry was far greater than money.

Agreed. Money is not really the thing in shortage, the ability to execute is. And the ability to implement the product, and by extension, understand what and how much resources are needed to implement a product, is a big part of that.

Re: Why I Quit My Job to Start a Tech Company

#34

Doing the opposite now. Spent the last year in a very early stage startup. Finally got fed up with the low pay ("but we're giving you equity...") and the lack of direction. It seemed like every other week we had a new direction. And the latest new direction was so bizarre that I'm tempted to make a mockumentary about the whole thing. Finally had enough of the startup scene; I'm going to go to work for a very large se…

> And the latest new direction was so bizarre that I'm tempted to make a mockumentary about the whole thing.

Care to share some dirty details?

Re: Why I Quit My Job to Start a Tech Company

#36
post #31
post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

they aren't just another "daily deal site"--they're trying to own the space. also, from what I hear, their yipit data product (data and analytics on the daily deal space) has already experienced good traction from hedge funds and others interested in this growing space.

Aren't both groupon and livingsocial trying to "own the space"?

sorry, I meant that as daily deal sites keep popping up, it's much easier to use an aggregator than to browse individual sites. I assume they're trying to be a layer upon the daily deal space, not just a singular deal provider.

Re: Why I Quit My Job to Start a Tech Company

#37
post #34

Doing the opposite now. Spent the last year in a very early stage startup. Finally got fed up with the low pay ("but we're giving you equity...") and the lack of direction. It seemed like every other week we had a new direction. And the latest new direction was so bizarre that I'm tempted to make a mockumentary about the whole thing. Finally had enough of the startup scene; I'm going to go to work for a very large se…

> And the latest new direction was so bizarre that I'm tempted to make a mockumentary about the whole thing. Care to share some dirty details?

I shouldn't. It's possible that some of the folks back there read HN and the idea would be immediately identifiable. Heck, maybe they'd even sue me for violating the NDA or something (but it's not like the bizarre idea is even monetizable).

But in a couple of years... that mockumentary idea would be comedy gold.

Re: Why I Quit My Job to Start a Tech Company

#38
post #17
post #3

250k 3 years out of college? Jesus... I have plenty of Ivy league friends in IB & PE making no where near that.. He landed a serious gig. Definitely tough to leave something so cushy so young. Sometimes it really is all about the game.

Yeah, I don't know anyone a few years out of college making that money in finance, even if you add in bonuses.

Probably because they went to large banks. You can get offers out of college paying 300K+ if you join a smaller outfit.

Re: Why I Quit My Job to Start a Tech Company

#39

Most people would consider a $250k salary as 'making it'. Kudos to you for being brave and building something on your own.

yup, and don't forget that 5-10 years later he'd probably bank 1mil+/year having started so high if he was good at what he did, which he probably is.

Re: Why I Quit My Job to Start a Tech Company

#40
post #20
post #3

250k 3 years out of college? Jesus... I have plenty of Ivy league friends in IB & PE making no where near that.. He landed a serious gig. Definitely tough to leave something so cushy so young. Sometimes it really is all about the game.

It seems like a baller gig like that would make it _easier_ to quit and start something up. You'd be able to save so much more money, than say, someone who took a typical Silicon Valley entry level programming job. If he had chosen to work at Google, he'd have been lucky to make 1/2 that.

If you were guaranteed $250k a year with potential to receive more every 5 years or so, were able to buy a house, nice car, and support a family without worrying about any financial hardships, you think it would be _easier_ to quit? To go to what, the potential for no salary, constant paranoia of whether you made the right decision or not, and get into a field you know relatively nothing about?

It's a pity that these tremendous acts of courage are often overlooked because its _easier_ to walk away from a lot of money.

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