[asimpleusecase]

Not a FAANG person, but have done a start up. I think a good rule of doing a start up is “ only do it if you must do it” what is meant by that is your passion for the problem you are trying to solve needs to be obsession level. That is generally needed to invest the level of work that success requires and sustain the level of pain required to survive. Wanting to get rich can be a strong motive for people but I think it would need to be coupled with a burning need to address the problem for a start up to have much of a chance.

[throwaway757]

Since throwaway I can be totally transparent- I am obsessed with financial independence and providing for my family. Everything else is a means to it. I don’t really care for a “career” as society defines it. I also believe that you can (and should) do well while doing good. As such I agree. That building something the world needs is super critical but am not sure if I need to be as obsessed with the problem and solution. I am rather obsessed with the over arching idea of “build something people want”. Also with startups there is a high chance one may have to shift/pivot from the problem they started with.

Part of my challenge, (because of my obsession with build something people want) with jumping into my own startup is don’t have an “idea” or problem and how to go exploring it. So I feel I don’t have anything that people want. Since you have done a startup can you share anything that helped you through the ideating phase to pick a direction to start with? Any books or resources would also be great that expand on the ideating phase. If I had an understanding of how to go through that journey I would do that in my spare time and that would also allow me to jump into the idea more confidently when the time came.

[cm2012]

You will have more financial independence at faang, most starts up fail.

[_f1dq]

It sounds like you're pretty secure in your job but generally unfulfilled so there's no reason you can't start a business on the side. That way you can find fulfillment while providing for your family and still moving solidly towards financial independence.

With regards to financial independence, I recommend reading the likes of Mr. Money Mustache. He was able to achieve it in his 30's making less than you do.