4 ms·

It’s 100% true. At this point in my tech career, I could start a company, but how am I going to support myself while that company is getting off the ground? I’v

It’s 100% true. At this point in my tech career, I could start a company, but how am I going to support myself while that company is getting off the ground? I’ve worked for startups most of my career and all the founders are the same: rich and/or came from Stanford or MIT. Most have been mediocre at tech at best (that’s why they hire me) and have been poor business people and poor managers. There’s nothing special about them except they have all come from money. Not a single one was the bootstrap rags to riches story. I know those are out there but don’t let them fool you: at least in the Bay Area tech startups (if you want to be a founder) is a rich man’s game. This is based on my experience working for about 10 startups over about 15 years.

csallen 7y ago
> At this point in my tech career, I could start a company, but how am I going to support myself while that company is getting off the ground? You're a developer working at Bay Area tech companies? Move somewhere cheaper (or don't!) and take contract jobs. Set your own schedule, work 15 or 20 hours a week, and you'll be able to afford rent, even in expensive SF. Spend your free time starting your company. Alternatively, save up your money and take a year or two off. Source: I've successfully taken both approaches.
- iamleppert 7y ago
  It’s not the point, the point is risk and opportunity cost. In order to “save up money” like you said means I need to make a lot of sacrifices in the here and now for a future risk. People with money don’t have to sacrifice. If the business fails, I’ll be out all that money and time that I can never get back. People with money may just have to trade in their Tesla for a Range Rover.
  - csallen 7y ago
    Of course entrepreneurship requires risk-taking and sacrifices. I don't think anyone is surprised or upset by that. In fact, it'd be bizarre if there were any alternative to working full-time that we couldn't say the same about. It's not so different than, say, going back to college. But the fact is that many millions of average people can afford to make these sacrifices and take these risks. Your initial comment heavily implied that this is only something the rich can afford to do.

csallen 7y ago

> At this point in my tech career, I could start a company, but how am I going to support myself while that company is getting off the ground? You're a developer working at Bay Area tech companies? Move somewhere cheaper (or don't!) and take contract jobs. Set your own schedule, work 15 or 20 hours a week, and you'll be able to afford rent, even in expensive SF. Spend your free time starting your company. Alternatively, save up your money and take a year or two off. Source: I've successfully taken both approaches.

iamleppert 7y ago
It’s not the point, the point is risk and opportunity cost. In order to “save up money” like you said means I need to make a lot of sacrifices in the here and now for a future risk. People with money don’t have to sacrifice. If the business fails, I’ll be out all that money and time that I can never get back. People with money may just have to trade in their Tesla for a Range Rover.
- csallen 7y ago
  Of course entrepreneurship requires risk-taking and sacrifices. I don't think anyone is surprised or upset by that. In fact, it'd be bizarre if there were any alternative to working full-time that we couldn't say the same about. It's not so different than, say, going back to college. But the fact is that many millions of average people can afford to make these sacrifices and take these risks. Your initial comment heavily implied that this is only something the rich can afford to do.