[AnotherGoodName]

I recommend side gigs. I co-founded a reasonably successful business (5 employees) from a side-gig (i was supporting getting remote sensor data remotely from a modem into a form easily red by clients).

Side gigs are reasonably risk free and will grow or shrink organically. You're not trying to force a market. The question is do you know something that works as a side gig? If so go for it.

Remember that the big idea->millions in venture funding->unicorn or bust path isn't the only way to go. That's a very stressful path.