OK, some hard facts and some advice. If you have the possibility to build on the work of other people, like your farthers business, that is where you will have

OK, some hard facts and some advice. If you have the possibility to build on the work of other people, like your farthers business, that is where you will have the best chance of making money. That is just a fact. Somebody (your farther) has already done some of the hard work for you. Now if that does not appeal to you for some reason you can choose to do something else, but the chance of making money will be less, not zero, but less. You can go down two roads if you want to do programming; work for somebody or start your own. The first option has the highest chance of landing you a decent paycheck. But don't go for the "Google's" of the world. They pay very well and that is why you will be competing with the best programmers on the planet. Hard fact: You are (probably) not that good. But hay none (with the very few exceptions) of us are, and you don't need to be to be successful. If you want little competition for a good position, find a company which employs programmers but with no "brand". And if you really want to have no competition; they have to make something dull! :) After your first job getting the next one will be much easier. Finally starting something yourself you have to have tremendous drive. Like you would not believe. Something you hear from time to time about making a start-up is "Starting a company is like eating glass and staring into the abyss." Not fun! I have made my own company and it is something you learn a lot from, mostly about yourself and you earn every penny the hard way and risk loosing it all. But in the end you have to choose what is best for you. It is your life! As for support find people online or IRL who does the same thing as you. Start-up communities, hacker spaces or any other place where there are people who can inspire you. Hope this helped and good luck. :)