The downside to bootstrapping your own company is also no work at all —- not to mention the intense stress as you burn through your savings. Starting a company

The downside to bootstrapping your own company is also no work at all —- not to mention the intense stress as you burn through your savings. Starting a company in the US is one of the easiest things to do, maintaining it is one of the hardest. Odds are your company will fail, putting you in a worse position. I would suggest to OP to stick your #1 option. The current hiring landscape isn't nearly as difficult as bootstrapping your own company, especially if you broaden your horizons to more "boring" industries.