The Startup Life Is Not For Everyone

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Sep 12, 2013, 4:12 PM UTC

philwelch wrote: post #67

rfnslyr wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is. I grew up in a bit of a different family. My grandparents are very wealthy. My family does not transfer wealth. My Dad and my uncles are all self made men, the only thing they have to fall back on is the bed and food at their parents if things go south, not a cent of their money, and this has been made clear from their modest, even poor upbringing. No private schooling. No excessive tutoring, no special hires.…

You have food and a free bed to fall back on. That's an immense safety net--exactly the kind of privilege we're talking about. And presumably that free bed is in some safe, comfortable suburb or at least the nicer part of the city, the food's not too bad either, and you can even take your MacBook home with you. Some people don't have any living family members who can take them in. Both of my parents, all of my grandp…

Post by zwieback » Thu, Sep 12, 2013, 4:17 PM UTC

ianstallings wrote: post #56

I just did three startups, all back to back, in NYC. I needed a break and less risk in my life. I got a sudden mid-life urge to settle down so I moved to the suburbs and I now have an easy, well paying, enterprise job. No teams to manage, no insane schedules, no Sunday morning phone calls, no 80 hour weeks, no more high blood pressure or anxiety attacks. No equity either, but I'll sacrifice that now for my non-startu…

Post by rfnslyr » Thu, Sep 12, 2013, 4:35 PM UTC

slantyyz wrote: post #69

rfnslyr wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Only work on contract. Only bill by hour, day, or week (depending on how good you are). I don't believe in loyalty to a company or scene. I'm here to make money to fund my own life, that's it.

It is one way to go, but I think it's still important to set limits. Getting paid by the hour by a company willing you pay you overtime to be overworked still means that there's a risk of burning out.

Post by snowwrestler » Thu, Sep 12, 2013, 4:48 PM UTC

rfnslyr wrote: post #70

crucini wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Almost every employer I've had has emphasized the extreme hours before making an offer. It has never turned out to be a problem. Only once did I object, and I didn't get the offer that time. I think they say this stuff because it's part of their self-image; they really believe they're working crazy hours when in fact they're working 45-50 hours/week. Also because they want to screen out those who really want banker's…

Who on earth wants banking hours (I'm assuming you're referencing the hours that were outlined in recent articles on HN)? I work in a bank and we're forced to not work anywhere beyond 37.5 or they're liable.. Anyways, I went on trial at one of the few startups that offered to hire me as a contractor. The hours were truly insane. Developers practically lived there, which is why I think startup offices are so much more…

Post by snowwrestler » Thu, Sep 12, 2013, 4:54 PM UTC

Swizec wrote: post #5

jacquesm wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lawyers, doctors, retail, construction etc, etc. The world is a lot more varied than being an engineer or being relegated to entrepreneurdom.

There are more lawyers than there are lawyering jobs. All the lawyer people I know are complaining and many are closing their offices because they can't get enough clients. Doctors can't get jobs because so many people are vying for the same jobs it's difficult to even get a specialty. Nobody will hire you without a specialty. Retail ... yeah, you're competing with everyone from high school students to college grads…