[brlewis]

This can still be a totally inspiring essay for that situation.

The real threat posed by taking on consulting is not what it does to your time; seeking funding would eat up lots of time as well. The threat is what it does to your determination. When the startup seems hopeless you can easily drop it and make consulting your focus.

If you're determined enough, you'll come up with a plan to maintain that determination even if consulting goes well and the startup goes terribly.

[edw519]

Absolutely! Sometimes I think that I'm "startup cursed" because I find it so easy to pound the pavement and rustle up a few bucks. Ironically, what is an asset in the real world is a liability in the startup world. I haven't completely turned my back on other income while I code my startup, but I have to look at it very carefully. All other activities must pass an additional acid test: "What will this endeavor contribute to my startup?" If I don't have a good answer, I pass on it and get back to coding.