Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Would you leave a 6 figure job to start a company?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

11–20 of 29 posts

Re: Would you leave a 6 figure job to start a company?

#11

Post by nmaio »

staunch wrote: post #7

No absolutely do not leave your six figure(!) job to do a startup. Your startup might fail and where will that leave you? Don't do it. Hang on to that job, get promoted, and increase your salary. Save your money very carefully and retire happy and well off in 30-40 years. You can always work on your startup in your off hours. That way you can still keep the dream alive, yet safely in the realm of a hobby. Just make s…

I tend to disagree with what you said. If you have a lot to risk, want to risk a lot, and CAN handle risking a lot - do it.

It's all about the person in my eyes. I like the movie Rounders, so why not a little quote for everyone: "...if you're too careful, you're whole life can become a fucking grind..."

Re: Would you leave a 6 figure job to start a company?

#12

Post by tptacek »

staunch wrote: post #7

No absolutely do not leave your six figure(!) job to do a startup. Your startup might fail and where will that leave you? Don't do it. Hang on to that job, get promoted, and increase your salary. Save your money very carefully and retire happy and well off in 30-40 years. You can always work on your startup in your off hours. That way you can still keep the dream alive, yet safely in the realm of a hobby. Just make s…

This particular truth hurts, so don't expect upmods.

Re: Would you leave a 6 figure job to start a company?

#13

Post by tptacek »

nmaio wrote: post #11
staunch wrote: post #7

No absolutely do not leave your six figure(!) job to do a startup. Your startup might fail and where will that leave you? Don't do it. Hang on to that job, get promoted, and increase your salary. Save your money very carefully and retire happy and well off in 30-40 years. You can always work on your startup in your off hours. That way you can still keep the dream alive, yet safely in the realm of a hobby. Just make s…

I tend to disagree with what you said. If you have a lot to risk, want to risk a lot, and CAN handle risking a lot - do it. It's all about the person in my eyes. I like the movie Rounders, so why not a little quote for everyone: "...if you're too careful, you're whole life can become a fucking grind..."

And, much like in the startup world: the protagonist goes through hell, nearly loses everything, and then pulls off an amazing feat of skill and luck, only to wind up essentially where he was at the beginning of the story.

Re: Would you leave a 6 figure job to start a company?

#14

Post by unshift »

tptacek wrote: post #13
nmaio wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I tend to disagree with what you said. If you have a lot to risk, want to risk a lot, and CAN handle risking a lot - do it. It's all about the person in my eyes. I like the movie Rounders, so why not a little quote for everyone: "...if you're too careful, you're whole life can become a fucking grind..."

And, much like in the startup world: the protagonist goes through hell, nearly loses everything, and then pulls off an amazing feat of skill and luck, only to wind up essentially where he was at the beginning of the story.

but at least he's not bored out of his fucking skull the entire time

Re: Would you leave a 6 figure job to start a company?

#16

Post by skowmunk »

mindsetlabs wrote: post #3
jaddison wrote: post #2

Are you happy with your current job? If not, do you think moving to another 6-figure job would keep you happy for an extended period of time? If the money isn't making you happy anymore, then consider pushing on to something more challenging as that is likely what you need in your life. Of course, only you can introspect to find the answers you need. I left a reasonable 5-figure job to work for myself and still consi…

Its not necessarily If I'm happy with my job but that burning desire to start a company doesn't go away. I just wonder if there are other sane people that would make that leap. :) To be an entrepreneur you face that decision at some point if you currently have a high paying job, I think its a good point that Jessica makes in her post that you can't really start a startup unless you focus on it. It can't really be tha…

If its such a burning desire, then you owe it yourself to quench it by trying it at least once (but definitely not half-hearted).

All you need to do is make sure that you have some savings for the family to survive and some more, if it doesn't work out and you need to get back on the job track.

Moreover, if you give it serious shot, give it all you got (obviously refering to non-financial stuff) and it still doesn't work out, all that learning could possibly even bump you to the 7 figure category later.

Good luck.

Re: Would you leave a 6 figure job to start a company?

#17

Post by mindsetlabs »

staunch wrote: post #7

No absolutely do not leave your six figure(!) job to do a startup. Your startup might fail and where will that leave you? Don't do it. Hang on to that job, get promoted, and increase your salary. Save your money very carefully and retire happy and well off in 30-40 years. You can always work on your startup in your off hours. That way you can still keep the dream alive, yet safely in the realm of a hobby. Just make s…

will you really be able to give your startup the attention it deserves? I'm taking a shot in the dark here but you must not like must risk :)?

Re: Would you leave a 6 figure job to start a company?

#18

Post by mindsetlabs »

serverdude wrote: post #15

Yes - I already did once (do not regret it one bit) and would probably do it again! I would like to know when I am old that I did at least try to create something of my own!:)

and you never want to look back and say I should-a could-a would-a right?

Re: Would you leave a 6 figure job to start a company?

#19

Post by jefflinwood »

Yes - and I have now for the past year, though it was a little different.

My advice is to find something you can do when you start your company that will make the year off worthwhile even if you get $0 in revenue - I've taught myself web design, iPhone programming, Facebook app development, Drupal, content organization, etc.

I also finished the 2nd Edition of Beginning Hibernate 3 for Apress, got engaged, and ran 15 marathons or ultramarathons in 2010, so even if this startup turns south, I'm really happy with the way the year is going.

Re: Would you leave a 6 figure job to start a company?

#20

Post by ninjastar99 »

I left a six figure job voluntarily to do my own thing. Before I left, I was working late nights, sometimes until 2 or 3am. I liked the job, but was unfulfilled. Fast forward three years, and I am now on my own in a successful startup that I own. I'm making about the same amount in income. And I sometimes stay up just as late at night working. So why leave, you ask? Freedom. I make my own hours. I work for myself. When I win, I win for ME. When I lose a deal, I lose for ME. My passion has increased one hundred fold, and I sleep soundly at night knowing that I am in control of my own destiny.
Post reply on HN