There's another way. Look up "stairstepping" (popularized by Rob Walling et al). The short version: build something small on the side, offer consulting around

There's another way. Look up "stairstepping" (popularized by Rob Walling et al). The short version: build something small on the side, offer consulting around that, then change the mix of consulting/product to be more-and-more product until it's all product.