Tell HN: I quit my job to bootstrap my startup by myself.

#1

Post by chr15 » Mon, Feb 14, 2011, 5:22 PM UTC

I'm 24 and worked as a developer for a consulting company working on custom enterprise apps. I got tired of watching the startup world from the sidelines, so I took the plunge and quit my job to work on my own projects.

I don't have paying customers, thousands of Twitter followers, a large presence here on HN, or even a cofounder. I'm starting from absolutely nothing and will be building from the ground up. All I have is 12-15 months of savings and my hacking skills.

I moved back home with my parents to save some money and build the product out, but will hopefully be moving out to San Francisco sometime this year.

I started a blog (www.itschris.me) if you would like to stay up to date on what I'm up to or get in touch.

Re: Tell HN: I quit my job to bootstrap my startup by myself.

#2

Post by benedwards » Mon, Feb 14, 2011, 5:25 PM UTC

Get something out there that people can use, quickly. Good luck.

Re: Tell HN: I quit my job to bootstrap my startup by myself.

#3

Post by presidentender » Mon, Feb 14, 2011, 5:26 PM UTC

Don't move to SF before you're making the money to afford it. Those savings will stretch a lot further living with Mom and Dad.

Re: Tell HN: I quit my job to bootstrap my startup by myself.

#4

Post by gaustin » Mon, Feb 14, 2011, 5:28 PM UTC

Good for you.

I promised myself I would give notice today. I don't think it's going to happen. Maybe it's just because I'm older (28) and have more inertia (wife, dog, a bunch of stuff to pack or get rid of and moving) to overcome.

Re: Tell HN: I quit my job to bootstrap my startup by myself.

#5

Post by hasenj » Mon, Feb 14, 2011, 5:33 PM UTC

Good luck. I did the same a coupla months ago (except I didn't even "Tell HN").

Re: Tell HN: I quit my job to bootstrap my startup by myself.

#6

Post by amac » Mon, Feb 14, 2011, 5:37 PM UTC

I'm in a similar situation. Mail me (profile) if you want to exchange thoughts or ideas.

Re: Tell HN: I quit my job to bootstrap my startup by myself.

#7

Post by candiru » Mon, Feb 14, 2011, 5:42 PM UTC

I plan to do the same this May. Good luck to you!

Re: Tell HN: I quit my job to bootstrap my startup by myself.

#8

Post by sgrove » Mon, Feb 14, 2011, 5:59 PM UTC

presidentender wrote: post #3

Don't move to SF before you're making the money to afford it. Those savings will stretch a lot further living with Mom and Dad.

Maybe. The experience and connections one makes out here are often worth it, and you can find very cheap housing sharing a room in the valley, or one of the more remote parts of the city.

Overall, it took about a three months to get on my feet after moving out here, but it was absolutely worth it.

Re: Tell HN: I quit my job to bootstrap my startup by myself.

#9

Post by chr15 » Mon, Feb 14, 2011, 6:01 PM UTC

benedwards wrote: post #2

Get something out there that people can use, quickly. Good luck.

Thank you. I'm about 1 month away from having something people can use.

Re: Tell HN: I quit my job to bootstrap my startup by myself.

#10

Post by il » Mon, Feb 14, 2011, 6:02 PM UTC

sgrove wrote: post #8

presidentender wrote: post #3

Don't move to SF before you're making the money to afford it. Those savings will stretch a lot further living with Mom and Dad.

Maybe. The experience and connections one makes out here are often worth it, and you can find very cheap housing sharing a room in the valley, or one of the more remote parts of the city. Overall, it took about a three months to get on my feet after moving out here, but it was absolutely worth it.

Seconded. Moving here will help you find a cofounder, meet lots of other entrepreneurs who can help you, and build relationships with investors. The economic benefits of being involved in the startup scene may outweigh the high cost of living.