Ask HN: How many of you wish to quit a job to build a startup?

[+] jpetersonmn|11 years ago|reply

I used to have that dream, not so much any more. I work in IT but have been programming in vb.net and python for the last couple of years. I've created several in house utilities for troubleshooting of our main software and automation of internal processes. (I work for an electronic testing company) I've started many side projects, however the excitement usually wears off in a couple weeks and they don't get finished. I'm dedicated to finishing my current project (been working on it several months now) but after that I think I'm going to focus on smaller side projects that I can finish in a week or two, or perhaps trying to help with some open source projects. I tend to shy away from sharing my code with others. I'm self taught and feel like it's probably real substandard compared to the "professionals".

[+] atrust|11 years ago|reply

Where are you from?

[+] foxpc|11 years ago|reply

I'd say it's a dream of every developer.

I'm currently working full-time developer for a single product. But trying to find at least a few evenings a week to work on my side project that miiight just take off. I'm a bit sceptical about the success but you never know! At least I'm having fun doing it, right?

[+] haidrali|11 years ago|reply

I also have dream exactly like yours working as full stack developer and along side product and carrying it to my startup

[+] atrust|11 years ago|reply

shoot me an email if you want to chat a little bit more atrust15 at gmail.com

[+] nsetu|11 years ago|reply

With an aim to have a start-up of my own, I decided to first give up my permanent job and work as a contractor. This I thought was safe than going out all by myself. I now have a company of my own but I work at client sites. Initially this all seem to be right thing and I also thought of taking up some freelance work which could generate profits for the company.

But, due to my full time job I can hardly focus on my freelance projects let alone targeting those deadlines..

And also I think to bag onto some good projects its essential to meet right people and win projects- which all comes down to networking skills.

[+] Proleps|11 years ago|reply

I've thought about starting my own company, but I don't want to start a startup. I want to start a company without investors that actually makes money from the beginning.

Although it is something I think about from time to time, I am sticking to the job I have for a while. I learn a lot on the job and it's a nice place to work.

[+] codeonfire|11 years ago|reply

As soon as I hit my "quit and build a start-up" targets, I'll be doing just that. Can't really stand being an employee much longer. I'd rather deal with users and clients than coworkers and middlemen managers.

[+] hackerboos|11 years ago|reply

I'm trying to get things started on the side whilst working full time because rent.

I kind of regret not making more of an effort to do this whilst I was in university; I had so much spare time!

[+] atrust|11 years ago|reply

What kind of things? Mind to share?

[+] hashtag|11 years ago|reply

Just working on projects on the side. Nothing I'd call a startup yet and certainly nothing I'd be dropping everything to dive into at this moment.

[+] orky56|11 years ago|reply

Just curious, what's your specific/gut criteria to drop everything and go with it?

[+] aswerty|11 years ago|reply

I quit about 2 months ago. Currently researching a new tech stack and in the process of designing a web application.

20 comments