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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?

#71

Post by nostrademons »

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.

I had 3-4 years runway when I started and it wasn't obviously long enough (I remember hearing the exact same comment you just posted when I asked for advice). I ended up starting up, failing, and taking another job (still have 2-3 years runway left) and don't regret it at all.

People with 6-figure salaries and 3-4 years runway tend to be calculated risk takers. They don't jump in unless it looks like there's a decent probably of success. That doesn't mean they won't take any risks, just that they want the odds to be in their favor.

All that said, I'd say go for it. You can always get another job, and 3-4 years means you won't be in dire financial straights when you're looking. Starting your own company often uncovers other opportunities that wouldn't otherwise be there if you just sat in a secure day job, too.

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

#72

Post by calambrac »

delano wrote: post #69
calambrac wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Who's judging anyone? He asked if he should leave his job to do a startup, I said "probably not" based on the fact that he's hesitating even though he has a really long runway.

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

#73

Post by calambrac »

nostrademons wrote: post #71
calambrac wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I had 3-4 years runway when I started and it wasn't obviously long enough (I remember hearing the exact same comment you just posted when I asked for advice). I ended up starting up, failing, and taking another job (still have 2-3 years runway left) and don't regret it at all. People with 6-figure salaries and 3-4 years runway tend to be calculated risk takers. They don't jump in unless it looks like there's a decent…

Umm... you left your job, tried a startup that failed, and you still have 2-3 years of runway left. It's pretty obvious to me that you had a long enough runway.

I'm not saying this to be mean (plenty of startups fail), but your startup did fail. Your experience isn't exactly a knockout blow to the argument that anyone hesitating to jump in even though they have 3-4 years of runway might be too risk-averse to be successful with their own company.

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

#74

Post by Skeletor »

inovica wrote: post #54

Hi there I think it depends what you're doing. I had a quick look at your bio and if what you are planning is the air-compressed scooter then I think this could be a very interesting project and you'd probably regret not doing it. I'm sure you've already done your market research! :) From your bio I don't think you'd have any problems in getting another job if it came down to it.

Who is working on a compressed air scooter?

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

#75

Post by DabAsteroid »

Skeletor wrote: post #74
inovica wrote: post #54

Hi there I think it depends what you're doing. I had a quick look at your bio and if what you are planning is the air-compressed scooter then I think this could be a very interesting project and you'd probably regret not doing it. I'm sure you've already done your market research! :) From your bio I don't think you'd have any problems in getting another job if it came down to it.

Who is working on a compressed air scooter?

http://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=DaniFong

http://www.google.com/search?q=danifong+scooter

http://lightsaildesigns.com

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

#76

Post by delano »

calambrac wrote: post #73
nostrademons wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I had 3-4 years runway when I started and it wasn't obviously long enough (I remember hearing the exact same comment you just posted when I asked for advice). I ended up starting up, failing, and taking another job (still have 2-3 years runway left) and don't regret it at all. People with 6-figure salaries and 3-4 years runway tend to be calculated risk takers. They don't jump in unless it looks like there's a decent…

Umm... you left your job, tried a startup that failed, and you still have 2-3 years of runway left. It's pretty obvious to me that you had a long enough runway. I'm not saying this to be mean (plenty of startups fail), but your startup did fail. Your experience isn't exactly a knockout blow to the argument that anyone hesitating to jump in even though they have 3-4 years of runway might be too risk-averse to be succe…

Someone who has a failed startup is in a better position to give advice than someone who has not.

You seem quite willing to deem someone not ready or not in a position to give advice. Also, before you make a bold claim about someone's character it would be helpful if you read their previous comments.

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

#77

Post by delano »

calambrac wrote: post #72
delano wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

Who's judging anyone? He asked if he should leave his job to do a startup, I said "probably not" based on the fact that he's hesitating even though he has a really long runway.

Everyone tries to be realistic about risk tolerance. I'm more concerned about people who don't hesitate over big decisions than those who do.

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

#79

Post by calambrac »

delano wrote: post #76
calambrac wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Umm... you left your job, tried a startup that failed, and you still have 2-3 years of runway left. It's pretty obvious to me that you had a long enough runway. I'm not saying this to be mean (plenty of startups fail), but your startup did fail. Your experience isn't exactly a knockout blow to the argument that anyone hesitating to jump in even though they have 3-4 years of runway might be too risk-averse to be succe…

Someone who has a failed startup is in a better position to give advice than someone who has not. You seem quite willing to deem someone not ready or not in a position to give advice. Also, before you make a bold claim about someone's character it would be helpful if you read their previous comments.

What are you talking about? When did I say anyone wasn't ready or in a position to give advice, and when did I say anything about anyone's character?

Opinions were asked for, I gave mine, someone disagreed with me, and I disagreed with their reasoning. Nobody's feelings should be hurt, grow up.

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

#80

Post by calambrac »

delano wrote: post #77
calambrac wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Who's judging anyone? He asked if he should leave his job to do a startup, I said "probably not" based on the fact that he's hesitating even though he has a really long runway.

Everyone tries to be realistic about risk tolerance. I'm more concerned about people who don't hesitate over big decisions than those who do.

Okay, fine. I'm more concerned about people who have 3-4 years of runway and still aren't confident enough to jump into a startup without first consulting a website full of strangers. To each their own.
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