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Is it crazy to quit a 6+ figure salaried job to do a startup right now?

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Re: Is it crazy to quit a 6+ figure salaried job to do a startup right now?

#61

Post by shiranaihito »

reyu wrote: post #15
Skeletor wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My thoughts exactly, this is what I truly believe. It is only Fear Uncertainty and Doubt that make me worry about it.

I was in your position two years ago but in my case I had a serious health problem. I was scared shitless. I didn't want to give up my job because I needed the health insurance. But my job was making my health worse. I quit and second guessed myself for a long time afterwards. But two years later I am fighting fit again. Thinking back, my only question is, why did I wait so long to do what was in my best interest? Mo…

If it's not too personal, would you mind telling us how the job made your health worse?

Re: Is it crazy to quit a 6+ figure salaried job to do a startup right now?

#62

Post by delano »

potatolicious wrote: post #47
cmos wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's a great runway.. you have enough time to fail a couple of times!

The above comment is inspiring to me - and I think epitomizes why Americans have been so wildly successful in the tech realm. Up here in Canada... well, a very wise entrepreneur in Toronto once told me: "Up here they ask you how many times you've succeeded. Down there they ask you how many times you've failed", and I think there's truth to it. Anyways, just something that struck me.

Canada is much more self-conscious than the US. Incidentally, that's probably one of the reasons why we excel at comedy.

Re: Is it crazy to quit a 6+ figure salaried job to do a startup right now?

#63

Post by delano »

calambrac wrote: post #35
Skeletor wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, me and my co-founder will be bootstrapping for at least the first year. But our plans are to become cash flow positive in 6 months. I can probably survive for 3-4 years with no job, my partner at least 1 year.

You have 3-4 years socked away and you're wringing your hands over this decision? I think the answer is no, you shouldn't. That kind of runway should make the decision an absolute no-brainer if you really want to strike out on your own.

Are you advocating a one-sided view of big decisions?

Re: Is it crazy to quit a 6+ figure salaried job to do a startup right now?

#64

Post by delano »

BigCanOfTuna wrote: post #22

"We rarely regret the things we do in life, we almost always regret what we don't do in life." - my next door neighbor...he said this to me when I told him I was quiting my job to work on a personal project that was certain to fail. It doesn't matter how the project turned out, but he was right.

Wilson?

Re: Is it crazy to quit a 6+ figure salaried job to do a startup right now?

#65

Post by visdo »

calambrac wrote: post #35
Skeletor wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, me and my co-founder will be bootstrapping for at least the first year. But our plans are to become cash flow positive in 6 months. I can probably survive for 3-4 years with no job, my partner at least 1 year.

You have 3-4 years socked away and you're wringing your hands over this decision? I think the answer is no, you shouldn't. That kind of runway should make the decision an absolute no-brainer if you really want to strike out on your own.

I don't agree with you because we don't know if he has kids. Kid is a big factor. If he has no kid, I think he is over-thinking.

Re: Is it crazy to quit a 6+ figure salaried job to do a startup right now?

#66

Post by rogercosseboom »

otoburb wrote: post #20
Skeletor wrote: post #2

The startup would be a two person company me and a friend are co-founding.

You're lucky that: a) You have enough runway to do this; b) You have a co-founder. I'm struggling with the same choice, but I have neither a nor b.

Ugh I'm in the same boat- come up with any ideas on finding a co-founder?

Re: Is it crazy to quit a 6+ figure salaried job to do a startup right now?

#67

Post by calambrac »

visdo wrote: post #65
calambrac wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You have 3-4 years socked away and you're wringing your hands over this decision? I think the answer is no, you shouldn't. That kind of runway should make the decision an absolute no-brainer if you really want to strike out on your own.

I don't agree with you because we don't know if he has kids. Kid is a big factor. If he has no kid, I think he is over-thinking.

I would assume he's taking any obligations he has into account when he says 3-4 years. It's not like anyone would say "I have 3-4 years, except when you take into account my mortgage, kids, student loans, eating, bills..."

Re: Is it crazy to quit a 6+ figure salaried job to do a startup right now?

#68

Post by calambrac »

delano wrote: post #63
calambrac wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You have 3-4 years socked away and you're wringing your hands over this decision? I think the answer is no, you shouldn't. That kind of runway should make the decision an absolute no-brainer if you really want to strike out on your own.

Are you advocating a one-sided view of big decisions?

No, I'm advocating being realistic about your tolerance for risk. If 3-4 years of runway isn't obviously long enough, then you probably don't have the stomach for a startup.

Re: Is it crazy to quit a 6+ figure salaried job to do a startup right now?

#69

Post by delano »

calambrac wrote: post #68
delano wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you advocating a one-sided view of big decisions?

No, I'm advocating being realistic about your tolerance for risk. If 3-4 years of runway isn't obviously long enough, then you probably don't have the stomach for a startup.

Ya that's fair, but it's reasonable for someone to ask a question without being judged.
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