This is exactly why I'd discourage anybody from doing a startup unless they really enjoy the challenge and independence of running a startup for its own sake. I

This is exactly why I'd discourage anybody from doing a startup unless they really enjoy the challenge and independence of running a startup for its own sake. If you run the odds and compare them against expected returns for a more conservative tech career it just doesn't make sense. Personally, I did the startup thing twice, struck out twice, and don't intend to try again.