When I started my current company, I had a full time job. I've had a job on and off for most of the time I had the company. This (5 years in on this company)

When I started my current company, I had a full time job. I've had a job on and off for most of the time I had the company. This (5 years in on this company) is the first year I've been full-time for the whole year, actually working on the company (rather than consulting, etc...) If you've got eighteen grand, well, you are going to have to start making money quick. Living around here is pretty expensive. Be prepared to get a contract gig, because for most product businesses, ramping up as fast as you will have to ramp up with that runway will be quite difficult.