Option 1 - seems like an easy way out, and would probably negate your experience so far since "big companies" might not value your skills. Option 2 - is very h

Option 1 - seems like an easy way out, and would probably negate your experience so far since "big companies" might not value your skills. Option 2 - is very hard to do unless you have an idea that the community really really needs. In my opinion you two other options: Option 3 - try to expand your company by getting project contracts and not hourly contracts and get a decent size project to hire a partner, then go from their hire as you find more projects. (this is harder than I make it sound here, but worth it). Option 4 - Come up with 10 ideas that you think you can develop within 40-80 hours (2 weeks) using cakePHP, this is the 6 month road. If any one of these generate enough ads revenue to allow you to not do client work all the time then it will give you time to think about what to do "next". You can then try to hire more employees, grow your business, go back to school, or even join a big company.