[erikstarck]

I've worked for 11-12 years in startups, as a consultant (both freelance and employed by bigger firms) and in 9-to-5s building products for the man.

They all have ups and downs but if there's any one conclusion to draw from my experience it's that the most important thing to make you happy is the people you work with day to day.

The second thing is having a life outside work.

The third would be a job that makes meaning.

Adding it together I would think that starting a small consultancy business together with people I know I enjoy working with would be the optimal scenario.

Why not a product based startup? A startup has to consume almost all your mental energy. It's much more uncertain, more stress. Sure, the highs are higher, but the lows are also much lower.