Story of switching from a programmer job to own business/startup

Question

Could you please share key points and insights of your journey from being an employee to making your own money, growing your own business?What motivated you?Was it a gradual process or leap of faith?If gradual &mdash; how did you combined two activities lifestyle, financial, legal and working hours - wise?Did you get your partners, first employees from previous employer?What would you do differently?

thagerty · Accepted Answer

For me it was a gradual...it took many years to put the pieces in place. I wanted to get a pension from my IT job...meaning I had to stay 13 years. I knew I was leaving at about 10 years. But it is good to have a safety net or two, so I stuck it out. It still felt really quick once I jumped ship and started my own massage therapy biz. It felt good to finally make the leap, but it also felt good to have a plan. I saw many people at that time taking crazy chances (early 2000's) and they got clobbered by 2008. So I'd say figure out your strengths and weaknesses before you so your own thing. Be honest, because your new career depends on you.

giantg2 · Answer

I do software dev and have an LLC for selling honey and crafts. You can dip your toes into the business world with a simple LLC like this to help understand how it works and what pitfalls there might be.

Jugurtha · Answer

There's a book by Cal Newport titled "So Good They Can't Ignore You". There also is a talk.
He explains the concept of career capital, but also of "mini-bets" giving examples of people who had failed transitions to their dream, and people who did so successfully.
You might find it useful.

Story of switching from a programmer job to own business/startup

I do software dev and have an LLC for selling honey and crafts. You can dip your toes into the business world with a simple LLC like this to help understand how it works and what pitfalls there might be.

There's a book by Cal Newport titled "So Good They Can't Ignore You". There also is a talk.He explains the concept of career capital, but also of "mini-bets" giving examples of people who had failed transitions to their dream, and people who did so successfully.You might find it useful.

There's a book by Cal Newport titled "So Good They Can't Ignore You". There also is a talk.
He explains the concept of career capital, but also of "mini-bets" giving examples of people who had failed transitions to their dream, and people who did so successfully.
You might find it useful.