[staunch]

No absolutely do not leave your six figure(!) job to do a startup. Your startup might fail and where will that leave you? Don't do it. Hang on to that job, get promoted, and increase your salary. Save your money very carefully and retire happy and well off in 30-40 years.

You can always work on your startup in your off hours. That way you can still keep the dream alive, yet safely in the realm of a hobby. Just make sure you never risk a lot on it, because you'll probably fail.

[nmaio]

I tend to disagree with what you said. If you have a lot to risk, want to risk a lot, and CAN handle risking a lot - do it.

It's all about the person in my eyes. I like the movie Rounders, so why not a little quote for everyone: "...if you're too careful, you're whole life can become a fucking grind..."

[tptacek]

And, much like in the startup world: the protagonist goes through hell, nearly loses everything, and then pulls off an amazing feat of skill and luck, only to wind up essentially where he was at the beginning of the story.

[unshift]

but at least he's not bored out of his fucking skull the entire time

[tptacek]

This particular truth hurts, so don't expect upmods.

[maxawaytoolong]

I am leaving a six figure job at the end of the month. The issue with what you say is that six figure jobs are usually all encompassing. You work all the time. There just isn't enough time to work a six figure job and do much of significance on the side. Law, finance, medicine and even 6 figure hacking jobs... The one constant all of these share is: unpaid overtime.

That said, if you DO have a six figure job where you only have to work 40 hours a week or less, staunch is actually right...you have lucked out and should hold on to that job until your side project takes off.

[reinhardt]

There are several reasons one may choose starting a startup over a corp job but "working all the time" is not one of them, in fact it's the other way around. If you hate the idea of working long hours and "unpaid overtime", forget about joining, let alone starting, a startup.

[maxawaytoolong]

The point I was trying to make (I guess poorly) is that it's impossible to do two 70/hr a week jobs at the same time.

[logicb]

I partly agree with staunch for MVP kind off startups. For example, creating an iPhone app or a website in a bootstrapping mode will fit in. If you don't want to be a BIG grown up company but want to be only a Startup, then this is the right thing to do. My belief is that if you can get a decent job with not much mental pressure and a steady income, then use that money as your startup capital to get a freelancer for developing your product. Once you see more traction and customers, then GO FOR IT and quit your job.

[mindsetlabs]

will you really be able to give your startup the attention it deserves? I'm taking a shot in the dark here but you must not like must risk :)?