From my point of view (a dozen or so years of work wearing many hats, no marketing experience): Look at your commitments towards you employer, formal and infor

From my point of view (a dozen or so years of work wearing many hats, no marketing experience): Look at your commitments towards you employer, formal and informal ones. If your commitments permit: start on side something noncompeting with your employer. If it works, then its the Decision time. Do not burn bridges. To gain some marketing experience, I've started side project which consists of almost no coding and all marketing in very competitive niche. I'm learning every day and, as bonus, have possibility that project will work.