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

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

#81

Post by nostrademons » Sat, Jan 03, 2009, 5:24 AM UTC

calambrac wrote: post #79

delano wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

It didn't really hurt my feelings. We're all (well, mostly) adults here; we can disagree without taking it personally.

I just thought it was kind of odd that you'd suggest someone might not have enough risk appetite for a startup, and then when someone else replies that most entrepreneurs take calculated risks, point out that they failed. Failure is a part of risk. All those folks who did take the risk of starting a startup...well, most of them failed. Does that make them unqualified to give startup advice? Kinda contradictory, given your original point.

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

#82

Post by calambrac » Sat, Jan 03, 2009, 5:45 AM UTC

nostrademons wrote: post #81

calambrac wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

It didn't really hurt my feelings. We're all (well, mostly) adults here; we can disagree without taking it personally. I just thought it was kind of odd that you'd suggest someone might not have enough risk appetite for a startup, and then when someone else replies that most entrepreneurs take calculated risks, point out that they failed. Failure is a part of risk. All those folks who did take the risk of starting a…

I never said you were unqualified to give advice, and I wasn't trying to insult you for your startup's failure (of course failure is a part of risk). My original point was that risk-averse people probably won't have successful startups, and I didn't understand why you would hold up your failed startup up as evidence to the contrary.

Here's another bold opinion: if some jackass like me can persuade him not to do a startup by pointing out that startups aren't for the risk-averse, then he probably shouldn't be doing a startup.

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

#83

Post by natch » Sat, Jan 03, 2009, 12:00 PM UTC

anotherjesse wrote: post #45

natch wrote: post #41

Yes, because your severance pay might be worth waiting for. Find out what they've given others. Two weeks? Not worth it. Two months? Maybe.

I don't think you get severance if you quit.

Well his question was "is it crazy to quit" and my answer was (conditionally) "yes" so I think you missed something.

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

#84

Post by Skeletor » Sat, Jan 03, 2009, 6:13 PM UTC

I gave my two weeks notice and am staying on one last week before I resign. I hope to start posting incredibly arrogant startup advice based on my successful venture a few months from now.

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

#85

Post by otoburb » Wed, Jan 07, 2009, 8:32 AM UTC

rogercosseboom wrote: post #66

otoburb wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

Patience, and actively seeking people out. I have no problem now asking people what their entrepreneurial dreams or ideas are. More often than not, people are willing to share ideas, but stall on commitment of any kind (even part-time).

The hunt continues.